Chestercity FC would want to put the past results behind them and search for their first win in pre-season. They take on Teban Thunder, a team who is on their pre-season campaign too. Playing the favourite 4-3-1-2 formation under the sunny pitch at Serangoon Garden Secondary, 15 year old Eizzul started in goal in first XI after first choice goalkeeper, Safiuddin late due to national service duty. Zaini was also dropped with Xavier taking his place. Chestercity welcome back Faizal in midfield but with Rohaizad pulling out, Charlie was put in as a makeshift central back. Herman kept the left midfield position place with the “Diamond” trio of Izzat Hashim, Airul and Aizam.
Chestercity started the match strongly and within 5 minutes, they scored after Afizan toe-poke from close range. The sweeper then took off his jersey to celebrate but the referee ruled it offside. Then Aizam wanting to redeem himself from his last game performance with simply nice and effective touches and with one chance Aizam volleyed his shot wide. 14 minutes, Thunders scored first. They capitalized a mistake from the City’s defence and with the goal left open, the low shot flew to the bottom corner. 1-0 to Thunders. 17th minutes, Izzat’s freekick flew well high of the goal. The coach then bring on Zaini in place of Xavier.
Then Thunders extend their lead after their striker pounce on defence’s lapse again and drives a low shot. The ball was deflected off Afizan’s foot and totally wrongfooted Eizzul. Then in the 32nd minute, things get worst when Thunders added their 3rd goal before half time when their winger unstoppable shot flew to the top lefthand corner. Sopian then take matter into his own hands when he tries a shot outside the box but again City’s finishing let them down as his shot flew wide. With 2 minutes left to half time, a great work by Airul saw Aizam through but the latter has a lot to do, the forward then past the defence with good footwork, lays it off to Zaini who sidefooted it home to make the score at halftime 3-1.
City’s coach then lets off his hairdyer treatment in halftime team talk and a couple of changes saw the coach plays an unfamiliar formation of 3-1-3-1-2 with Charlie deployed as defensive midfield in front of the defenders. Syaikhan who had a dismay performance was replace by Jelson. Azhar makes his debut replacing Herman at halftime and Aizam was pushed wide on the left wing. That substitutions prove dividend as Azhar wins a freekick on the left. Aizam delivers a great whipping cross and Airul was on hand to make the scoreline 3-2. With 4 minutes after the restart City drew level again from a set piece. Afizan takes a freekick 40 yards out and Airul yet again makes no mistake from close range. Game on. City was pressured again and again by Thunders and it works as Thunders hit the post twice in the 55th minute and it the 78th minute. City held on for the draw. Final score 3-3.
City’s coach commented,” The lads showed me something today. They showed me character and fighting spirit even though we are 3-1 down at halftime. I’m really impressed by the players’ commitment and their will to take something out of the game. They are really gelling together as a team and I’m proud to be their coach. Relentlessly, this was a great comeback by the team.”
The coach was then ask about last week’s Man of the Match’s Izzat Hashim’s performance today, “Well I don’t wish to highlight individually but Izzat knows what went wrong for him today. I believe in this lad. He is really something. When he is at the top of his form, I’m sure he do wonders. I don’t know. Today he is a bit off. Even the best striker has a bad day at the office so I have nothing to say.”
