Jurong West, Singapore
It's a game where City had to win. 3 games without a point had stir a major setback compared to last season where they collected 6 points from 3 games with 15 goals scored.
City welcome back coach Ridwan to the dugout and also back were captain Indra, Syamsul Tevez, Miah and old guard Faizal.
City started the match eager and ready and Coach Ridwan decided to change the team's formation to 3-5-2 and with 2 supposedly goalkeeper not turning up, City once again has an emergency replacement in Jelson between the sticks. Fred, Indra and Hafiz are the 3 central backs, hardworking Anon retains his right wing position while the trio in the central midfield were Ibrahim, Naufal and Hakim with Jeremiah taking the left wing spot. Upfront first time partnership of Gabir and Syamsul.
City started the match brightly but somehow they could not find the back of the net spending most of the match attacking.
It finally came fruitful when a defensive clearance from JSFC found only to the feet who curls to the far empty net to put City in front.
Both teams had the chance to score where the closest came for Gabir who skies a shot with only the goalkeeper to beat.
JSFC seems threatening but all their hardworking was not capitalized due to their poor finishing.
City leading to the good at the break.
Halftime saw a few changes with Sufiyan taking the field replacing Ibrahim, Xavier replacing Hafiz and Faizal replacing Miah pushing Naufal to the left wing position.
Within 5mins of the restart, City were caught napping. A long ball was sent in between Indra and Fred and the forward slips past the 2 centre half and pokes it beyond the slow reacting Jelson. 1-1.
JSFC began to attack menacingly. They found a weak point in City's defence and started exploiting it. They had a couple of decent chances but the finishing product was not there.
City then went a gear up. 10 mins later, Referee awarded a free kick 25 yards out and up steps Indra who sends a looping free kick much to the displeasure of the JSFC players, their goalkeeper was only able to punch it into his own net. City leads yet again.
JSFC provided a good battle upfront and nearly scored but the forward was only able to tap the ball wide from close range. With that, Coach Ridwan brought back Miah and Brahim on in replace of Naufal and Gabir which saw City reverting to a 3-6-1 formation trying to cope with JSFC attack.
With the opponent pushing so high up for the equalizer, City grabbed a third courtesy of a wonderful audacious chip by Miah to settle all the nerves.
City sit back and defended well but still there were loop holes and that all can be seen when City captain Indra brought down the winger with referee pointing straight to the penalty spot.
JSFC player then makes no mistake giving Jelson no chance with the low hard drive shot. 3-2.
JSFC then threw the last dice at City trying to find the equalizer and with a great play down the left wing, the winger sends a lovely measured pass but City was relieved to see the shot came off the top crossbar by the unmarked forward.
Referee then blew the final whistle bringing the exciting match to a close. City got their wishes.
Coach Ridwan told CityNews after the match, "This win signals the start of City's revival. The players knew how much they badly want it and was rewarded. We defended well at the back and the balance between the 3 departments was excellent. We knew that a win was coming and it did. 110% commitment on the performances. The lads did not stop running throughout the match. I hope the lads are not carried away and will be focus on the next match. With goals coming from different players, it will definitely take some burden off the shoulders of the strikers. I'm pretty impressed with my team's performance. "
Man of the match Anon says, "It was a well deserved win for Chestercity. The lads were top drawer right from the go. You could see that we wanted the 3 points and we looked the better team. We could have scored a couple more but there's still a long way to go however, this win will definitely kick start our season."
