Jurong West, Singapore
Chestercity takes on Vietnam United at Jurong West Secondary. A wet pitch was in stored for both teams as City looks to extend their lead at the top while Vietnam
United trying to climb up the table after a run of misfortune results. City has a few new faces in the squad covering the loss of Tam and Hafiz at the back. City also sorely missed Aizam who had unsettled issue, Azhar was overseas while Jelson was missing through injury
City coach Ridwan starts with favourite 4-3-1-2 with fit again Safiuddin in goal, Rohaizad in right back, Stanton partners new boy, Syafiq and Syaikhan takes the left back position. The three central midfield saw Herman back in with returning Faizal and club captain, Charlie, Sufiyan was given the attacking mid role in the absence of Izzat Hashim. Zaini starts upfront with hitman, Airul.
Straight from the kick off, Vietnam
scored without breaking a sweat.
Breaking City's offside trap, VU player scores with a left footed shot past diving Safiuddin. City then began to prowl. Trying to find an equaliser, City was awarded with a freekick after Airul was impeded. 20 yards out, captain Charlie scored with the help of the underside of the crossbar. 1-1 in the 12th minute.
In the 17min, Airul dazzled past few defenders but saw his shot goes wide of the post. The Vietnamese defenders closed down Airul everytime he gets the ball leaving the in form striker frustrated.
With the scored tied, Airul was on hand to create havoc in VU's defence with a couple of step overs, he whips in a cross which was cleared to the feet of Sufiyan who volleys, the VU goalie does well to parry it away but poaching was Zaini who dig it past VU custodian and Charlie toe pokes into the empty net. City leads in the 33rd min.
Halftime score: 2-1 to City.
Second half saw a couple of changes, City introduce on-loan striker Alang in replace of Zaini, Herman gives way to another new boy, Nurhadi and Yusuf Mohd came on for his debut in replace of Sufiyan.
4 minutes after the restart, City concede again. VU player pick the ball outside the area and unleashed a long range strike pass Safiuddin. 2-2. Both team has equal ball possession and chances which they could not convert.
Alang then shows why City coach decided to sign him on-loan. Faizal winning the ball in VU's half, he picks out Alang who skips past his marker, Alang scores on his debut with a depth chip which sails over VU's goalkeeper to make the scoreline 3-2 in the 52min.
3mins later, Alang scored his second when he collected Hadi's pass and place his shot right at the cornet. 4-2
A minute after City scored, VU pulled a goal back after VU player was left one on one with Safiuddin. scoreline 4-3.
Airul then tries and acrobatic overhead kick after a good dribbling down the right by Alang but it was comfortably saved by VU goalie.
Complacency and nerves gets the better of City defence. Failing to clear the ball, it found VU number 28 who makes it 4-4.
Then City threw it all away, a 70min corner by VU had City defence ball watching and Unmarked VU player free header goal found the net to make it 5-4. Referee then denied City a clear penalty when Airul was brought down in the penalty box. He again denied another penalty claim when airborne challenge on Irfan was waved away.
Alang and Airul tries to find the equaliser but VU custodian save after saves kept the scoreline at 5-4. VU number 5 then was shown the red card after he waste a few seconds to take a corner. It was his second bookable offence. With that City pushed everyone forward but still can't break VU's stubborn defence. City bows out 5-4.
City coach commented, " I'm truly disappointed. The game should already been won when our 4th goal went in. Again we falter at the back and we've paid for it. I really can't hide my disappointment. We created chances but we didn't convert it. Referee has a below par performance. 2 clear cut penalty was denied which I think his judgement was horrendous. It certainly helps VU in securing the win. "
