Pasir Ris, Singapore
After a month break due to fasting season, City are back in action this time they were welcomed by Keppel Bay FC in league cup. Their opponents today lying 4th in their division while City lies 2nd in the table of their division.
City, welcome 18 players to the match squad as a couple of regulars return with the likes of Fred who recently welcome a new life in his family. Also returning was goalkeeper Safiuddin from a spinal injury.
Before the match, City unveiled new exciting signing in Ahmad Khan who was officially given the number 8.
City's line up was an eyebrow raiser when City's head coach Ridwan decided to name a mixture of experience and young blood. In goal Safiuddin was stored in between the sticks. The full back slots were taken by Mizan and the evergreen Aziz. Eddy was deployed as stopper while Parry marshalled the backline. Anon took the right wing with Danial taking the left while Duncan get a new partner Riz in the middle of the park. Upfront captain Ryan was given the chance to prove his scoring abilities with City leading hitman, Gabir Nabil. On the bench was full of talents with the likes of Amin, Hafiz, Fred, Indra, Jelson, Ahmad and Ridwan himself.
Starting the match with a 4-4-2 formation, City had a few bright chances coming from Gabir and Ryan. Gabir also showcase some dribbling magic as Keppel Bay players unable to contain the Egyptian.
City were then shellshocked when Keppel Bay striker was brought down iby Aziz in the penalty box. Penalty! City survived when Keppel Bay player sends the penalty wide.
In the 14th min, City were infront. Anon winning a freekick and with Mizan sending a wicked telling cross to the back post which Gabir cushioned it to Danial who manages to head it against the post. The clearance from the Keppel Bay defence only reached to Ryan who shot pass the goalkeeper who managed to deflect the ball to the back of his net.
27th min, Duncan puts them further ahead. Dribbling past a few players, he then was brought down at the edge of the penalty. Duncan then ute an excellent crafted freekick giving the goalkeeper no chance.
City Ryan had another glorious chance to put them further ahead but his first touch was rather disappointing after Anon delightedly put him through from the right wing.
Halftime: 2-0.
City makes a whole lot of changes at halftime when Ahmad, Indra, Fred, Hafiz, Amin, Ridwan coming on for Danial, Eddy, Mizan, Safiuddin and Ryan.
The two subtitutes then combined when Ridwan picks up a loose ball sends a perfect through ball to Ahmad, with City's bench filled with excitement, Ahmad could only blast the ball over.
City were then 3-0 up in the 51st minute with a surprise scorer. Amin pumps a long kick towards Keppel Bay box and their custodian misjudged the height of the bounce which crept underneath the crossbar. What a goal.
City were futher ahead in the 54th min with Ridwan getting his 13th of the season. Gabir dazzles his way on the right, toe pokes a cross towards the box with Ridwan finishing with a scissor kick with the help of the goalkeeper.
It was well over in the 59th min, Indra Shaiful scored a carbon copy of his goal against Lionheart FC when his inswing corner again went straight in.
5-0. City brought on Jelson for Aziz.
As City laid back, their opponents came forward with strings of attack which allows them to pull a goal back in a swift team move.
Keppel Bay's second was a jaw dropping scorcher as they split open City's defence and their number 10 weak left foot found the roof of the net giving Amin no chance at all.
Keppel Bay gave themselves a lifeline when they grabbed their third in the 74th min when a mixed-up in defence freed the striker who has no problems beating Amin one v one.
They pushed on for their final onslaught but City manages to hold on for the win in Group B.
Ridwan commented, "Keppel Bay gave us the run for our money. They were terrific in the the final 3rd of the match but our boys were even better. 5-0 would be an outstanding results but we have to settle for a 5-3 win. Its great to see players back in City and I'm delighted to capture the signing of Ahmad. Well, we picked up where we had left off a month ago and I'm glad the boys are up for it. Their desire to win, their passion and their enthuasism were displayed on the pitch today. The reason on the change of line up today is simply because I want to see what can I do with 18 players turning up and those who have not been performing well in recent games but they showed me they can stand up and be counted. I'm elated with the performance today. I just hope that Untitled with a game in hand will drop some points which would give us a chance to claw back our way in the title hunt.
