Jurong West, Singapore
Division 7 kicks off with old rivals facing each other. It's Vietnam against City. Both team have a new look squad with Vietnam getting more foreign imports to the team.
City as always deployed 4-4-2 formation and with no goalkeeper at all, Jelson was an emergency selection between the post, Xavier at right back, debutant Faizal partners the Marshall Frederick at the heart of defence while Alex fills up the left back position. Zaini took the right wing, captain Indra and fleet-footed Naufal in centre and another debutant Anon at left wing. Upfront a rare start for Gabir as he spearheaded the attack along with Iain. City have debutants Ibrahim and Colombian signing Miltinho, Hairull and Hafiz amongst the subtitutes.
City started the match lively as they try to find an early goal. Vietnam too deployed a very attacking formation and with their dangerman, Takahashi leading their attack.
Both team lacks of match practice as most of their passes went astray. Anon looks lively on the left and Frederick marshall the defence pretty well. First attack of the match fell to Vietnam but the winger can only puts it wide.
Then City find themselves a goal down as a mixup in the defence let VU's leading scorer to toe poke past the onrushing Jelson to put the home side ahead. 1-0 to Vietnam in the 20th min.
Then it was all Vietnam in City's half. A corner was sent in on the left and the VU's new foreign import, rose high to head the ball towards goal but Jelson makes a save followed by a punch towards safety.
Indra had one long range shot parried away by the goalkeeper while Gabir had one chance but he scuffed his shot. Anon was giving trouble on the left as he mesmerize VU's right back and lays to Iain but the latter tame shot was comfortably smothered by VU's custodian.
Then few minutes later, it was 2-0. Miyauchi was left free and the right and he makes no mistake from close range.
Half time score: 2-0 to Vietnam United
Second Half saw changes, Miltinho makes his bow replacing. With that Gabir took central midfield alongside Indra with Naufal pushing on the left side of midfield. City then began to push forward but every single attack was cancelled out by the stubborn VU's defence.
In the 60th minute, it was all over. VU's left back overlapping run saw him deliver an excellent through ball for Miyauchi to add his second and VU's third.
Anon was then brought on back to replace Zaini and Ibrahim makes his debut in central midfield. That pushed Indra to central back position. Anon was again on hand to give a merry dance to the VU's defence and sends a pin-point cross towards Gabir but he can only manage to volley it over.
Soon after, City gave away a freekick. The left back send a whipping freekick but Jelson does well to punch to the crossbar to make the scoreline stay at 3-0.
The referee then brings the match to a close with City crumbled in their season opener.
City coach Ridwan told CityNews, "Some players are making their debut and some are playing with each other for the first time. We need to gel quickly to earn a shot at the division title. No doubt that Vietnam United was the better side today and it was not help as we are missing out goalkeeper. Jelson stepped us for us and he did excellent job for a midfielder. I just hope I get a goalkeeper before the next match. Safiuddin has not been in contact with me and that is a worry sign. I hope to install a new goalkeeper as soon as possible.
When ask about the new players, Ridwan added," They new players has a lot of potential to succeed with the right guidance. Anon was exceptional on the wings and he showed me something today. I'm very pleased with him. For the remaining debutants, it was a good show and perhaps we will see more of them in the coming matches. We just need to work on our goal exploitations."
