Yishun, Singapore
It's a renewed rivalry as City takes on Sporting Olympique, the team where City lost 3-2 at the hands of the home side in a friendly last year where City was in division 9 compared to the opponents division 2.
Pit against each other for the very first time in Division 5, City winless in their first 2 games are preparing a surprise for Sporting who turn up with less in numbers. City on the other hand has 17 players turning up for the game.
In a changed formation of 4-4-1-1, City started the game recalling back Safiuddin as an emergency between the sticks with Ronnie as his back up. The back four who were torn apart by Rowdees last week were given faith by manager Ridwan as Aleef, Kim, Parry and Fred kept their place. In midfield, Bob was named right midfield with captain Ryan and Naufal in the centre, Eddy shone in his previous match was kept at left wing while Zahrul was a supporting cast behind debutant Jani. On the bench, Xavier, Irwan, trialist Rizuan, returning Indra was among the outfield players.
Straight from the kick off, Sporting shot from half field was just over. City was on the backfoot for 15mins and with the brilliance of Safiuddin who sprung into action parrying away Sporting number 6's volley.
0-0. City were outplaying Sporting in the middle of the park with Bob mesmerizing the opponents with flicks and cheeky pass. City back four were on their toes with Kim stopping most of their attack and Aleef winning headers despite their opponents physique.
A minute left on the clock, City were up. Bob picking a short pass on the left, caught the goalkeeper unaware with a shot which crept his right post.
1-0 at halftime.
Second half, changes was made as Ridwan tries to keep fresh legs on the field. Jani was brought off for Rizuan, scorer Bob for Irwan and Indra was brought on for Eddy pushing Naufal to the left.
It was a wrong tactical change as City were six and sevens at the back. And with City mostly caught the opponents offside, it backfires when they were let off and the striker cooly rounds off Safiuddin and shoots into the empty net.
1-1. City pushed forward but the stubborn Sporting defence kept up the tight marking leaving City to bits and pieces. Final score, Sporting 1-1 City.
Manager Ridwan commented, "We really need to bond quickly and adapt to the pace of Division 5. The teams are really good. The draw result was unexpected. We should have won this game. The players knew it that we have let this one away. We need to start focusing on holding the lead than losing it again. We have to do it yet again against Assumption on the next game here. We still are missing a hitman. We need a natural goalscorer and hope it will come before this Sunday.
