I
Serangoon North, Singapore
t's season opener for Chestercity FC as they start life in Division 5 with some key players out due to injuries, sickness and commitments. They take on Uncaged Elephants for the first time. With UE already have 3 points from their previous game, City would want to get a win to be level on points with their opponents.
City start the game with only 14 players available and was not help but the last minute withdrawal of Xavier and rock solid defender Kim due to sickness.
Welcoming back Mizan, Anon and surprisingly Aleef, City was boosted when Naufal was re-signed by the club.
Starting the game full of confidence,
City named a change in goalkeeper with Ronnie named between the sticks. Captain Ryan found himself out of position as he takes the right back position. With Kim's withdrawal, Aleef plays just infront of Parry with Fred taking the left back. In midfield, Irwan starts on the right, in the middle Hakim and Zahrul with returning Naufal starting at left wing. And City with no recognised striker, Mizan and Hafiz take centre stage. On city's bench, there is Anon, Amin and City coach himself to call upon.
City started the match most in the backfoot with the physical presence of UE surely have the upper hands on City players.
Both side had a couple of chances with Hafiz coming close in one occasion but only manages to shoot wide. Ryan and Naufal had long range effort shot parried by the excellent reflexes of the goalkeeper. After string of offsides being awarded, UE finally breaks the trap and with one stoke of luck, UE's winger sends an unstoppable low drive defeating the diving Ronnie.
1-0 to the Frenchmen. City pushed forward but the commanding display of their central back was keeping City at bay. Mizan was brought off after the hot sun dehydrates the forward. On comes Anon for action before referee blows for half time.
Half time saw a couple of changes, Irwan was brought off and Mizan re-enters to play right wing, Amin replace Ronnie in goal. Coach Ridwan also decided to strip to his jersey but remains on the subs bench.
Second half was a brighter start for City, had a few decent chances but failed to captilize. Zahrul was running and turning UE's opponent inside out but there was no end product from the city attacking half.
Coach Ridwan then decides to bring himself on in place of Hafiz. There were more productivity from there on as Anon and Ryan kept finding for fresh legs of Ridwan. Ridwan and Zahrul kept giving UE defenders problem which saw Zahrul low shot hitting the post with the goalkeeper totally beaten.
Then it was Naufal's turn. Ridwan winning a freekick 30 yards out and Naufal nearly produce a carbon copy of the goal he scored against TGA but this time only to be denied by the woodwork.
City pressed on limiting UE chances of attacking. Hakim won the ball in the middle, nutmegs one player with a pass to Zahrul, the Highest Rated Player for last seasons beats 3 defenders and sends a wonderful telling cross but was a bit too high for Ridwan who was then send crashing down in the penalty box by the right back. Referee straights point to the spot.
Ridwan went to the penalty spot only to be asked to move away by City players who remembers his missed spotkick against Vietnam United.
Up steps the returning Naufal. But astonishingly he sends the penalty well of target. City had their hands on their head. A golden opportunity wasted.
City had a chance. UE's backline crumbled since Ridwan's entrance and it proves as they failed to clear, it falls to Ridwan and seeing the goalkeeper off his line, he send a delicate lob over the keeper but saw his effort just grazes the crossbar. Another wasted opportunity to draw level.
Irwan re-enters the fray and City pushed on all fronts.
UE hang on City's final onslaught to win 1-0.
City coach commented, "It was a fighting spirit showed by the lads and they don't deserve to be second best. The penalty was a crucial one, Naufal had a long layoff and only joins us few days ago. The pitch plays a part in that penalty and I have nothing to say about it. The lads showed character in the second half and I'm pleased with it. "
