Pasir Ris, Singapore
A City team short in numbers yet again was put into test as the face Rowdees FC on a Meridian JC pitch where City have lost all games played there without scoring a goal.
City would want to break that jinx as they face a another tough episode with key players such as Zahrul, Bob, Indra all out. That was not help when Hakim did not turn up for the match.
Starting the match with 4-5-1 formation, Amin was chose between the sticks, the back four sees Aleef starting in an unfamiliar right back position, the pairing of Kim and Parry in the middle and Fred whom can play anywhere in the back four at left back. City welcome back Eddy from season 18 on the left wing, Mizan starting on the right and with Ryan and unwell Xavier as holding midfielders giving Anon a free role behind acting forward Hafiz.
On the bench, City has Ronnie as backup goalkeeper, Irwan Azly, Tam and the unfit city coach Ridwan who was carrying an ankle injury.
First 20 mins of play it was a fair share of possession as City and Rowdees tries to penetrate both side defensive departments but failed to.
Rowdees had a couple of chance to go in front but their finishing has no end product. City also were blunt in attack as Ryan came close in the first half when he miss a sitter by shooting wide.
Eddy got a couple of decent dribbling action what seems might be a perfect replacement for Jeremiah. Xavier and Eddy then left the pitch and was replaced by Tam and Irwan.
Half time stayed at 0-0.
Second half saw City revert to the 4-4-2 formation which saw Irwan partnering Hafiz upfront. Anon was pushed to the left with Tam partnering Ryan in the middle.
But 2 mins after the restart, City were a goal down. A mix up saw Rowdees striker poaching the ball into the roof of the net.
Then it was downhill from there on, City's centre midfield was pry open as Tam went strayed and left Ryan in the middle alone. With that Rowdees captilised and slots the ball past deputising Ronnie who was rooted to the spot. 2-0 to the home side.
Ridwan then brought himself on trying to change the game but soon after coming on he was rashly tackled on his ankles with referee waving away the protest. Ridwan stayed down clutching his left ankle. It was another great link up between Anon, Ryan and Ridwan yet again.
With City's bench subdued to limit subtitutions, Ridwan carry on playing. Kim was excellent at the back, Fred did well to neutralized the wings but was unable to prevent Rowdees scoring a third capping an excellent team move.
With just three touches, the striker unleashed an unstoppable shot past Ronnie to make the final score of the match 3-0.
Coach Ridwan commented after the game, "Well it's back to back defeats in Division 5. It's not because of the pitch jinx, it's more to the performances of the players. We need to get hold of ourselves. I told the lads that this is going to be a tough division. Many predicted we are there to mount a challenge but the other teams are good as well. We are missing a couple of players right now and with me being offered the services of Teban Thunder's captain and their forward, it means the players must buck up or I will sign this two excellent gems to replace the under performing players. It's not finalized but I still have faith in my players and I know there will stride. There's no margin for error in the next game as we really need to get the points on the scoreboard sooner rather than later."
