Chestercity secured their first win in their final pre-season friendly by beating Raging Rose 4-2. A good weather in Bendemeer Secondary was what City needs as they search for a victory. City are without captain for the match, Aizam, central back Rohaizad and left back Syaikhan who pulled out due to personal and work issues respectively. City’s coach deployed 4-4-2 formation with Izzat starting on the unfamiliar position of right wing and welcoming back Guna on the left. City also welcome new boy, Yazid as he partner Afizan in defence which look rock solid throughout the whole match catching the opponents with few offside traps. Jelson took the left back position while Azhar partner in form striker Airul upfront. Coach handed the captain’s armband to Faizal in the absence of Aizam.
The first few minutes were more to ball possession between the two teams and on 10 minutes, City won a free kick outside the box. Izzat Hashim sends a rather tame shot for the Rose’s keeper. City’s coach then decided to change the formation to 4-3-1-2 and deployed Izzat back to the hole behind the 2 City’s strikers. Again the tactic works as Izzat work his way to Airul who lays up for Faizal. The captain’s shot flew to the top corner but Rose’s keeper tips it over. City pushed forward and left holes at the back and in the 16min, Rose’s counter attack found their striker fakes 3 defenders before unleashing a powerful shot past Safiuddin. 1-0. But that does not damper City’s spirit. In the 20th minute, a wonderful cross saw Izzat Hashim free but his header was comfortably save by Rose’s custodian. Rose began to attack and was denied by an acrobatic save by Safiuddin who was left unguarded after a great through ball by Rose’s players.
City then fought hard and thought they equalized after a neat work by Izzat saw Charlie through and with defenders gapping, the latter sends a cracking piledriver only the post denying him his first goal for City. City was awarded a free kick right near the halfway line. Afizan steps up and Airul again shows his prolific side when he taps in after a goalmouth mishap between Rose’s defence and goalkeeper. 1-1. Azhar again was a nuisance for Rose’s defence as he wins another free kick outside the penalty box. Up steps Izzat Hashim but yet again the crossbar was the opponent’s savior. Injury time, a need work by Faizal, Izzat saw Azhar playing his back to the goal, he loses his marker with a swift turn but he ballooned his shot. Half time score line stays at 1-1.
Second half, again Azhar wins a free kick but Airul shot was parried away by the goalkeeper. 5 mins after the restart, Zaini makes it 2 goals in 2 games after Airul tormenting Rose’s defence with his silky footwork and his cross found the unmarked Zaini. The winger then volleys home City’s 2nd goal. Zaini was overjoyed with that goal as he celebrated with his teammates on the subs bench. 2-1. Zaidi also had a chance in the 48th min but his shot went wide. City playing at their top form and it proves when Xavier low cross was mistimed by Herman, Airul's shot was spilled by the custodian but Izzat was on hand to pounce to score his 1st goal for City. 3-1 to City. Raging Rose began pouring forward and in the 50th minute they have a shot excellently saved by Safiuddin. The next minute Rose began back paddling as City’s counter attack nearly added to their tally. A great ball in by Faizal and with Izzat Hashim free, his header went over.
In a sudden attack, Raging Rose pulled a goal back courtesy of a good long ball through and with the striker one on one with Safiuddin, the forward taps the ball over , lobbing the on rushing City’s custodian. 3-2.
City then was given a boost when their coach came on as a substitute in the 67th minute and minutes later he won a free kick a he was brought down by the left back that can’t keep track of his footwork. The free kick was send in but Faizal shot was well wide. Faizal was on it again but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Raging Rose began to tire and that helps City as they grabbed the 4th and final goal of the match. With a great through ball, Zaidi was left one on one with the keeper, he was torn between two minds but decided to go for the shot which the keeper spills and Izzat Hashim, makes no mistake from close range to add his 2nd of the game with 4 mins left on the clock. City run out well deserved winners.
City coach commented,” It’s a kick start to the season by winning our final pre-season friendly but we have to start all over again when the season starts. We will now have a 3 weeks break before the season due to the fasting month and the guys will have to rebuild on what they have produced for the past 3 weeks. I’m happy with the players coming through the pre-season and let me say they have impressed and they’ve improved a lot as a team. It’s good to see the likes of Izzat, Zaini, and Airul banging the goals in as that shows that their confidence is high. The introduction of Yazid in the team really places the defence intact and no mishaps crept in today. Yazid marshal the defence well along with Afizan. This partnership could go on forever and I can say when I look at them I compare it as Terry-Ferdinand partnership. The other players have also played a part in building a stronger bond with other players and without their team work and work rate, I think there’s no Chestercity right now. I’m pretty confident with the lads and really looking forward to the season.”
When asked about his 13mins cameo performance today, City coach said, “Well, I’m just sharing my believe and rubbing my confidence within the lads today when I came on, it’s nothing compared to the win they truly deserved and you probably will see no more cameo by me as I will be focusing more on management and push City to further glories.”
