After 3 games of back to back defeats at the hands of JFC, TGA BUffalos and Royals, City would want to get their season back on track and stand a chance of promoting to the upper division of ESPZEN league. With the likes of Mizan, Izzat, Faizal and the M.I.A Hairull not on the list, City called upon players who are available.
With a couple of changes to the squad and formation of 4-4-2 was deployed, eyebrows were raised on coach decision to drop captain Indra to the subs bench. City named Amin as goalkeeper, a start for Xavier and Jelson on the full backs respectively with Aleef and Fred get to renew their partnership at the centre of defence. Anon was reinstate at the right wing with Ryan and Bob as central midfielders and Player of the month for June, Jeremiah starting on the left wing. City's attack was spearheaded by Tevez and Gabir. On the bench, City Coach named himself on the bench alongside Hafiz, Hakim, Safiuddin & Indra.
City had to wait for their opponents to arrive as the stroll in slowly to the match. With only 7 players available, City show sportmanship yet again and waited for them to reach 10 in numbers. Kickoff was a slow performance from City. They mistimed their passes and also pressured their ownself with players not finding their feet in the first 10 mins.
Nerves was settling in but subsided when Player Of The Month for June, Miah slotted in from close range from a Gabir's piece of magic on the right. 1-0 to City. Vietnam begining to push forward. Their only recent signing number 12 ran the whole City defence but Fred was able to deny him from going forward.
Then it was 2-0. It was Miah again. Picking up a rather anxious goalkeeper's clearance, Miah looks up and shoots in to the empty net to take his tally to 5 of the season.
City began to slow their pace and was caught by an excellent marshalling by VU's number 12 who is their best player of the match. Syam and Gabir had a couple of chance to extend City's lead but both failed to capitalised.
Halftime stays at 2-0.
Coach Ridwan brough on Indra in replace of Xavier which saw Fred being pushed to right back, Hakim replacing Anon and Hafiz replacing Jelson.
City started where they left off. Indra had a header tipped over by the goalkeeper but within 8mins after the restart, Hakim puts the onside Syam thru and the forward goes round the keeper and scores his 6th goal of the season. City up 3-0 to the good.
2 mins later, City makes 2 subtitutions. Anon came back on for Bob pushing Hakim to centre midfield and Coach Ridwan came on for 2 goal hero Jeremiah and took the left wing position.
City then was awarded a penalty. Gabir providing an excellent cross to the box, Ryan slightest of touches found Ridwan and with the right back covering, Ridwan turns his marker with a swift trick but only to be impeded by the latter. Referee with no hesistant points to the spot. Upsteps the confident Ridwan who send his penalty crashing to the post. City knew that goal would put the game beyond doubt.
City then was furious when they let in a rather cheap goal. Playing on the left wing with a one-two, Carem slots past the despairing diving Amin to male it 3-1 on the night. 70mins gone, City afraid that history will repeat itself.
Safiuddin then was brought on to replace Gabir. Gabir was furious with the subtitution that he storm off leaving the pitch.
Syam Tevez then took matter into his own hands. Getting to the end of Amin's clearance and with much to do, Tevez volleys with his weaker left foot to the roof of the net giving VU's custodian no chance 2 mins later.
Then with 3 mins to spare, Tevez sealed his hattrick when Hakim puts him thru again and with only the goalkeeper to beat, he unleashed a venomous shot from close range to tie his goalscoring tally with Gabir.
City had one last opportunity, Ridwan attacting interest from VU's defence, flick it to Anon but the winger saw his shot wide. Referee calls the match to a close with City comfortably 5-1 winners.
Coach Ridwan commented after the match, "The lads deserved this. They played their hearts out. Credited to Vietnam United, they pushed us right to the end. There was nothing wrong with today's performance. We were unlucky in a couple of situations and we should have scored a few more. Yes I did miss that spotkick but that will not take the gloss off my team's win today. They believe from the minute go and here they are, playing as cotenders."
When ask about Gabir storming off, he added, "Well I know its frustrated to be subtitute. I have not had a word with him but his actions are unprofessional and I need an explanation from him"
