It's cup action once again in group B with City being welcomed by Starscream FC. Having 15 players turning up for the game, City were looking strong as the likes of Zahrul Bahri returning after 3 weeks absence. City who sits pretty well on top of their 11AM division faced their opponents who are 3rd from the bottom in their 9AM Division.
Ridwan yet again made some changes to the lineup. Playing a 4-4-2 formation, He named Amin between the sticks, Aleef found himself in an akward right back position while keeping faith in Eddy who slotted in central partnering last man Parry Lim. On the left Aziz kept his place.
The four man midfield had a slight surprise as Anon was dropped in favour of Bob Ashura with Ahmad starting on the left leaving Indra and double award winner Duncan Elias playing behind upfront men of Riz and captain Ryan. City were looking good on the subs bench as well in goalkeeper Fudin, Mizamura, Zahrul, Anon and Ridwan who might just be called upon.
City started the match a little but cagey compared to last week but maestro Duncan shows why he is needed in the team having a shot rattling the bar in early minutes of the match. Ahmad had also a chance to put them infront but could only sky the effort from close range.
Then City's number 8 finally break his duck as early as in the 7th min. After an excellent play by Riz upfront, he delightedly put Ahmad through who scored in the box. It's simply "R(A)" rated goal.
The two looking well combining yet again but this this time Ahmad returns the stand in striker the favour by putting in a low cross for Riz to score from close range in the 16th minute.
It was 3 in the 24th min, Duncan latching on defensive clearing who shoots past the despairing keeper from yards out. City felt that a rampage was instored here. Giving their opponents not a sniff of the ball, City pushes forward and found themselves 4-0 up before the break when Dunca magically puts Bob thru and the winger low shot sneaked into the bottom corner. 4-0 to the good. Amin was also pulling some stops coupled by great backline defending of Eddy and Parry which left the opponents frustrated.
Halftime changes saw Aleef, Eddy, Amin, Ryan and Riz all replaced by the oncoming Mizamura, Zahrul, Fudin, Ridwan and Anon.
5 mins after the restart, Zahrul had a header clipping the post from Indra's corner. It could be 5.
Anon who partners Ridwan upfront had a glorious chance too. Being played by Duncan yet again on the right wing, Bob send a measured telling cross into the path of Anon, who sticks out a boot but saw the goalbound shot unintentionally saved by the face of the goalkeeper. City thought they were further infront.
But a stroke of luck and excellent refereeing, City was awarded a penalty when Starscream's defender handled the ball in the box.
With a dismayed performance from Ridwan against Omertà FC last weekend, City dugout was keeping their fingers crossed. Ridwan sends the penalty to the roof of the net rooting the goalkeeper. 5-0 City.
Referee did not only awarded City a penalty but Starscream also was given one when their number 11 turns out Indra but was cynically brought down by the hard-tackling man.
The striker sends a rather tame low shot which was comfortably saved by Fudin who went the correct way. Scoreline stays at 5-0.
Duncan showed his playmaking attributes by releasing the on-side Ridwan but scuffed his shot wide with just the goalkeeper to beat.
With that Duncan registered his second goal of the match dribbling past 3 players before slotting it past the onrushing Starscream custodian. 6-0.
City were not done yet, 10 mins to the whistle, Duncan mesmerizing again, evading tackles which lured the goalkeeper and unselfishly stroke the ball into the path of Ridwan who finishes with a simple tap in.
Ridwan could complete his hattrick but saw his scissors kick flew inches wide after failing o connect properly after Ryan's good work down the right wing.
Final score : 7-0 to City.
Ridwan commented,"It's a great game a great win. Not only we scored 7 today, we managed to keep clean sheet. That summarized that we are currently the te with best defensive record. We could not have done more without the excellent display of the lads especially singling out Duncan who was phenomenon. The defence also was outstanding. We never let the opponents a sniff even though they were awarded a soft penalty. It was never a penalty. We moved on and we will faced Central FC. It was 3-3 last meeting but we were not on full strength. I guess by today's performance, the lad will picked up where they left off and show Central FC that we are here to win. We will not throw away the title. With 5 games to go in the league starting Sunday, a slip up by us would be crucial. So we have to keep marching and our focus needs to be there. I know the lads will do their best to collect 15 available points from this 5 games. It's too early to celebrate. We're not looking at winning just 2 of the remaining 5 but we're looking to win all 5 to ensure the title is ours"
