Bukit Batok, Singapore
Its a match everyone is looking for with Chestercity the home side today against Lionheart FC which saw both teams share 8 goals in their previous meeting earlier in the season with a exciting 4-4 draw in a match which saw 2 contenders for goal of the season with Indra and Airul knocking in long range strike and bicycle kick respectively.
Desperately needed the 3 points, City are short in numbers with players like Gabir and Fred coupled by few injuries to team players but they welcome new exciting winger in Ahmad Khan who was officially given the number 8. Duncan returns to City from his SRC duties and was named captain of the match in the absence of Ryan Sufiyan.
They deployed 4-4-2 formation with Amin between the sticks, Mizan cemented his right back position with Indra and Zahrul re-ignite their partnership only to play at the heart of defence toaday. Left back the evergreen Aziz remains at that spot. In midfield we saw a change in the 4 as Anon takes the right wing with the debut of Ahmad on the left, backed by Duncan Elias and Rizzy who marshalled the centre. Upfront, Bob and Ridwan spearhead the attack.
City knew about Lionheart sudden change of form with defeats after defeats in their recent run in the league with shocking 7-4 loss to Laksmana Wira in one of the games.
It was City who drew first blood when Ridwan breaking the offside trap, lays it to Ahmad who then finds the feet of captain Duncan who took a touch before unleashing a volley giving the keeper no chance in the 9th min.
Lionheart start to play at a slow tempo comapred to City's fast paced.
9mins later, City extended their lead. Off a corner, Bob sends a wicked inswinger and Indra was totally unmarked to head in from an acute angle. 2-0.
City could extend their lead to 3 but Ridwan totally missed a sitter from 3 yards out. City could still afford a missed but their glorious chance came from the penalty spot. Duncan who manages to get in the 6 yard box was impeded by Lionheart lastman and referee with no hesistation points to the spot.
Ridwan stepping for this spotkick amazingly skied his effort.
Halftime: City 2 Lionheart 0.
Changes at halftime saw Ridwan making way for Airul.
Lionheart tried to make their way back in the game but City sticked to their game plan by limiting their opponent options. Ahmad got a chance to put City futher ahead when he received a well through ball by Duncan, with only the keeper to beat ahmad shoots in straight to the side netting. Lionheart holds on.
Then having been played out for most of the match, Lionheart players frustration grew and went in on a late tackle on Duncan. City's captain walks way but was confronted by Lionheart number 35. As players from both side tried to play peacemaker, Lionheart's number 35 attacked Duncan landing 2 punches to the face. Duncan walks away with a swollen face but to the shocking decision from the ref, he not only sends Lionheart number 35 but Duncan was also showed a red with the amusement of CIty players.
City was awarded another penalty when Anon dazzles his way into the box, turns the left back and was cynically brought down. Indra steps up and blast his spotkick over the bar. Its seem City had penalty jinx.
As the game progresses, City put the incident behind them and came back strongly as they did with Indra getting his 2nd goal of the match, a carbon of his first. This time, Mizan sends in the corner to the back post and Indra finishes off again with a header in the packed penalty box in the 72nd min.
2 mins later, Indra completes his hattrick with his inswing corner deceiving Lionheart custodian. Indra first hattrick for City.
Final score: 4-0.
Ridwan commented, "It was a shocking moment for us, referee got it totally wrong. Why on earth is Duncan sent off? Does walking away, getting punched in the face and was on the receiving end of a bad tackle deserved the marching orders? I'm livid. This team of hooligans needs to be suspended or other players might keep getting assaulted. I've spoke to the league committee and want them to take action asap. Back to the match today, its good to see Indra getting his first hattrick for City, Ahmad also had a decent run today with the defensive line putting in an excellent display by getting a clean sheet. Every players knew the 3 points is vital today and well we beat an awesome team. We still yet to face Central and Untitled which I see them as a tough team and title contenders. Its good that we keep pressure on league leaders to stand a chance in the title. We going to have a month break and hope we return from where we have left off."
