The league has started. With all due respect, there was quite a surprise as Afiq Khalis, an ex City player, dons the colours of Laksmana Wira who was the first City opponents today.
With Anon, Duncan, Hafiz, Hakim, Airul, Bob and some 7 other players missing from the lineup, City had to start with what they have with Danial not turning up.
With some familiar faces in Aleef returning and Gabir, there were also trialist in Baeesa who could be called upon.
Starting the game deploying 4-4-2 formation, Amin returns in goal, Xavier played as right back, Aleef and Fred renew their partnership after 4months absence while Eddy started as left back with Ridwan keeping faith with the number 6. In midfield, City has Ryan on the right with Zahrul Bahri and Indra in centre midfield while Rizzy returns and take his left wing position. With Bob out, Ridwan starts upfront with City's hitman Gabir.
Before the game, as requested from City camp for a minute silence was held to respect the victims of flight MH370.
Both teams trying to adapt to the greasy pitch and Gabir shows his prolific side when he prowls forward and threatens at opponents goal.
Within 11th minutes City were 1 up courtesy of a penalty. It was City top goalscorer who won it. Latching on a lob thru, Ridwan loops it over the central back and as he tries to dig it past the left back, he was cynically fouled in the box leaving referee no option but to point to the spot. Gabir steps up and gave the goalkeeper no chance. A welcome return goal from the number 9.
City had most of the possession and a couple of decent efforts but the goalkeeper was on task to deny most goalbound shots. Rizzy Salleh had a shot parried away by the goalkeeper.
1 min before the quarter mark, City went 2-0 up. Gabir racing down the penalty box evading few tackles before side footing to make it 2 goals to the good.
City kept attacking. They had 2 glanced header going wide as Ryan and Eddy had chances respectively from a set piece.
City led 2-0 at halftime.
Halftime subtitutions. City brought on Jelson for Xavier.
Laksmana Wira was a deferent team compared to the first. They exploited City's third half but had most of their shots wide.
Then a moment of magic, Zahrul Bahri took on the whole lot of Wira's players, ran down the penalty box only to see his hard work goes down the drain when the goalkeeper produce an excellent save.
60th min, it was 3-0.
Gabir racing through, evades tackles but only to be brought down by by Wira's defenders. Again penalty.
It was Ridwan this time who converts the penalty giving the keeper no chance.
Indra had one glorious opportunity, thru off Gabir's header. Indra flicks it over The goalkeeper but only to see the ball going inches wide. Indra stayed down from the collision.
Baeesa then comes on to replace Aleef.
Soon after, Gabir had a great opportunity racing again one on one against the goalkeeper, their midfielder tracked back and unleashed a bad challenge on Gabir taking him out in the penalty box. Referee rules it as goal kick which left Ridwan fuming to see Gabir limped off the pitch.
Aleef return to the fray and within minutes of coming on, Rizzy sealed the win with a wonderful long strike from the edge of the penalty box. 4-0 with 13mins to spare.
City had one more roll to the dice. Zahrul once again dictates attacking play sends a low cross which found it's way to Ridwan and with time and space Ridwan only manages to see his shot went over with no pressure. It could be a brace.
Referee ends the game 4-0 in favour of City.
Ridwan commented,"Well it's a good performance by the lads. It's a good headstart, winning our first match of the league, simply it's a moral booster for most of the guys especially with so many key players out. We had the game controlled in the first few minutes and captilised the second pretty well. Opponents did sit back and that gave us a chance to exploit their weaknesses. I'm very not happy on the tackle on Gabir and Fred. It's just moment of madness from the opponents. It's a horrible tackle but thankfully they will be okay for the next match. Nevertheless, I'm proud of them."
