Serangoon Garden, Singapore
Chestercity FC faces their old rivals TGA Buffalos in Espzen Division 7 league match. The home side better their foreign opponents 3 times in previous encounter beating them 8-7, 4-2 and 2-1 earlier in the season. With 19 players turning up for this one, City fancy their chances and a win look on the cards. Before the game, rumours as been flying around with City Coach on the verge on quitting the club, players in the City camp presented the coach with token of appreciation in an attempt to convince him to stay.
Before the game, TGA has only 8 players and had to do without a goalkeeper. As a professional gesture, City allowed TGA to regroup by waiting for another 10 minutes as their players began strolling in. They also did an audacious move by calling upon Division 5 team Rowdees FC's goalkeeper in as cover. That left City coach fuming as he highlighted to the referee only to see his protest rejected. Coach straight away emailed ESPZEN and took his photo in an attempt to get the referee punished for breaking the league committee rules. With that pushed aside, City started the match in a 4-5-1 formation.
Safiuddin started in goal. Jelson started at right back, Indra partners Fred in the heart of defence while returning Syaikhan at left back. City started the game in quick fashion dictates the attack pretty well but their opponents height and physique prove to be a stumbling block for City. and less than 10mins, they opened the scoring. From a long throw on the left, the forward was left unmarked and did well to head it past Safiuddin.
City stray forward, putting extra dimension on the wings which let to a freekick 20 yards out. Ryan sends a dipping shot and leading hitman, Gabir taps in from close range after the goalkeeper spills right in front of the feet of striker. 1-1.
City attacked again and on 31st minute, Miah getting his head to Gabir's cross gave the goalkeeper no chance and put City infront.
That stays till half time.
Second half saw City revert to a 4-4-2 formation with Tevez partnering Gabir upfront.
City pushed forward but was denied by the physical presence of TGA. Then fluke happens, a clearance by TGA left back sents the ball towards City's goal and with Amin coming for it, the latter somehow misjudged the direction of the ball which slipped from his hand and into the back of the net. A gifted equaliser.
City never back down so did TGA, their attack came straight after the goal and with defence switching off, their striker was there to punce and push TGA ahead 3-2.
City never give up, throwing Bob into the fray, the got their deserve penalty on the 75th minute after Tevez was brough down who picks himself up and converts with ease past the illegal keeper.
City thought they drew the match with 5 minutes left but yet again they switched off giving their striker space and time to pick a shot past Amin.
City bowed out 3-4 losers.
City coach commented,"The decision by the officials before the game really is a factor for this game especially there were only 8 TGA players during kickoff. They did not have a keeper and request for another 10 mins for their goalkeeper to arrive. Instead, they gamble and place Rowdees FC goalkeeper which is from Division 5 in goal. Under Espzen rules, that is illegal. I straight away talk to the referee about it but he insist on letting the game go on. Poor decision. It cost us really. The lads were pretty not happy and so do I. Well runners up look far destined for us so we have to just play our last 5 games and try to win all and hopes results will be in our favour. As far as I keep my fingers cross, I hope at least a promotion playoff will be on the cards for us."
