East View Secondary,
An emotional return for City Head Coach Ridwan where he first start competitive football. City face arch rivals Untitled FC who were undefeated with 12 points out of their 4 games. City, on the other hand were 2 points adrift with 3 wins and 1 draw from their 4 league games and were looking depleted with key players out and last minute withdrawals.
City had only 12 players to start compared to Untitled FC's 17 players with their supporters cheering them on.
City revert to a 4-4-2 diamond formation and with Amin not turning up, Nol was selected in the starting eleven with Xavier at right back and evergreen Eddy on the left. Parry returns from injury partnering unfit Aleef in the absence of Frederick Loy. Ryan started on the right, Duncan had a free role in front of defensive midfielder and captain Indra while Anon who is still recovering from hamstring injury returns on the left. Upfront last season top scorer Bob playing slightly of Ridwan in attack.
Ridwan embraced Untitled FC's Jun Siong before the match, two players who played together during their time with ESPZEN Division 3 Central Park FC. Teammates once, opponents today.
It was Untitled who started strongly. Attacking the flanks keeping City at the backfoot. It wasn't a surprise when they took the lead.
Ridwan losing possession in the middle of midfield was the key factor as Untitled sprung into attack forcing a mistake from Parry which led to a goal.
Untitled put two blokes wherever dangerman Duncan has possession limiting City supply of passes and options. That prompt Bob to play deeper in the midfield leaving Ridwan as the lone striker.
Unable to break Untitled stubborn backfour, City equalised from a set piece. As players overload the penalty box, Indra surprises everyone by sending an in-swinger which caught the goalkeeper unaware.
Another candidate for the goal of the season. City was confident. They had a penalty ruled out after Ridwan was cluttered by a high knee to the chest which referee deem fair.
Scoreline deadlock at halftime.
Ridwan make one change. Rizzy was brought on for departing Anon. As both teams look for the goal, it was Untitled who retook the lead when a defensive lapse cause yet another finish.
But as City pushed men forward, it was Untitled who put the game beyond doubt when Ryan got a slightest of touches which led to the striker's goal. 3-1.
When Untitled seems to have the points in the bag, City have a couple of final say. Bob and Duncan combined well but City's maestro can only shoots straight at the goalkeeper. Eddy also thought he got his name going to the season but was astounded when Untitled's goalkeeper pushes away his goalbound flicked header.
Untitled secures 3 points.
Head Coach Ridwan cuts a lonely figure and can't be reached when CityNews contacted his mobile.
City will have a week break to regroup themselves as faced Central FC, one of the remaining undefeated teams at Pierce Secondary School on the 18th May,
