Canadian International School Lakeside, Singapore
City takes on Teban Thunder . Its 1st vs 3rd. A drizzling day at Lakeside was never going to stop both teams from collecting all 3 points.
City started the match as they were last week deploying 4-4-2 formation. With Safiuddin late, Rohaizad was selected in between post, Xavier was at right back, Yusuf partners Sufiyan in central defence and Syaikhan kept his left back position. The 4 across midfield saw Herman playing on the right wing, captain Charlie partners new boy, Yus in the centre and left wing was Jelson. Back from suspension is Alang who spearheads the attack along with Airul.
In the 2nd min, Herman volleys wide.
2mins later,Teban reply to City prowl when their striker was given too much space but his header went over the bar.
Teban drew first blood. A long ball down the right caught Syaikhan napping which the winger shoots, the weather makes it difficult for Rohaizad as he spills the first shot only for the forward to tap in to put Teban infront in the 6th minute.
3 mins later, last week man of the match Yusuf long ball found Airul who chested the ball brilliantly beats 2 defender and finish with an acute shot to draw City level at 1-1. Suddenly City takes the lead, Charlie found Alang on the left and the forward burst into speed and unleashed an unstoppable left footed shot to the roof of the net. 2-1 to City in the 10th min.
City was then given a boost when Safiuddin, Tam, Hakim and Hafiz arrived for the match.
In the 14th min, City looks to extend their lead. Airul won a freekick on the right, Charlie took it but it was well parried by Teban's custodian.
Again City threaten, this time Teban's goalkeeper denied Airul what seems to be a goalbound shot. Hadi was then brought on in replace of Jelson.
Then tempers flew in as Charlie went in for a tackle where the Teban player retaliates by laying a punch to Charlie's chest but the referee rules in favor of Teban. Charlie went over to the referee to argue his case but was waved away. It should have been a red card.
2 mins past half an hour, Teban equalised. Syaikhan gives away a foul near the edge of the penalty box which beats City's wall giving Rohaizad no chance. 2-2. City then brought on first choice goalkeeper Safiuddin in replace of Rohaizad.
Hadi began to show his quality to the team when his early through ball found Alang who scored to make it 3-2 in the 34th min
A minute later, City's offside trap was beaten and Teban's forward makes no mistake to make it 3-3.
3 mins to half time, referee awarded Teban a penalty when Safiuddin brought down Teban's player when it's clearly seen that the latter topple over City's custodian. Upsteps Teban's number 7, Hidayat who's initial shot was saved only to tap in later the rebound with no City players coming for it. Safiuddin was seem fuming with his defence.
Last minute of the half saw referee pointing to the spot this time awarding it to City after Teban's defender handled the ball in the box. Alang sends the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 4-4 at halftime.
At halftime, City make a couple of changes, captain Charlie was brought off for trialist James, Hafiz replaced Xavier, Tam replaced Sufiyan, Hakim replaced Herman.
A minute after kickoff a good ball by Eddy down the left releases Alang but his shot was deflected for a corner.
3 minutes later Yusuf hoof a clearance towards Teban's goal which bounces off the top crossbar.
In the 55th minute, Teban takes the lead, they beat City's offside trap and the forward loop it over onrushing Safiuddin to make it 5-4.
3 mins later, City succumbed to another set piece. Same position, same range, Safiuddin manage to get a hand to it but was only able to push it into the net 6-4. City lost their shape and their morale was low.
Teban was then reduced to 10 men when the 2nd goalscorer was send off after receiving quick double yellows as he abused the referee with foul languages right after he was booked earlier in an intial foul.
City tried to captalized of their numerical advantage but could not find the back of the net.
They was given a lifeline in the 74th min to reduced the deficit when referee awarded City a second penalty after Airul was brought down inside the box where he was clear on goal. City coach was seem fuming with the referee after he fails to produce a red card for professional foul. Airul took the penalty but sends a rather tame shot to the left which the goalkeeper comfortably saving it. Even City players held their hands to their heads. Airul looks dejected after the penalty miss. City pressed on with Zaini and Stanton coming on. A good through ball to Alang on the right saw the forward squaring it to Airul who scored with a simple tap in. 6-5. Game on, Teban's dugout was asking the referee to blow the final whistle which he did after playing 2 mins of injury time.
City lose 3 points in a hard fought match.
City coach Ridwan commented after the match, "The lads showed maturity and spirit from kick off to final whistle. The referee is the decision factor in this game as he fails to send off Teban player in 2 separate incidents. It was supposed to be a straight red. Referee made a very bad call. The offside traps, the penalty, the freekicks was all not correctly called. I'm not happy so are my players. We are robbed of our title. In general, Alang's hattrick was supposed to be enough to win any game but like I said the referee plays a part in our defeat today but we have to take it to the chin but the lads was outstanding today. We are still in the hunt for the title and I know the lads won't throw in the towel just yet till the final game of the season. The lads are here to win and I believe they can succeed. It all comes to the final 6 games and hope results will go our way."
When ask about Airul's penalty miss, he said, "I know how it feels to miss a penalty. If that would have went in, the match could have tied. But I have faith in Airul's ability and I know he will forget about it (penalty miss) and come back a stronger player. Well even the best forward like Ronaldo and Neymar have all missed penalty. It's just another bad day at the office."
