PowerZ Cup Semifinals
Bedok, Singapore
Its their third meeting of the season. Chestercity FC who finished as runners up in beating their opponents today in a fantastic way 4-3 in final day of the league would definitely see one hell of a cracker game.
With Safiuddin out due to his engagement, City has no recognize and ability keeper amongst the outfield players. In his absence, it was City head coach, Ridwan who dons the gloves and took over. In defence, Aleef and Eddy partners in the centre with another City Young Player of the Season nominee Xavier on the left. A debut start on the right for Razif Yusuf who only signed for City 3 days ago.
In midfield, Anon was dropped in favour of captain of the match Syam, while Indra continue his venture in the middle with Duncan and Ahmad continues on the left wing. Upfront, Gabir and Airul partners yet again.
On the subs bench, Ryan Sufiyan, Anon Poomitavor, Bob Ashura and Hafiz waiting to be called upon.
City started strongly, Duncan and Indra waving and paving way opening up defence with stroke of masterclass spraying football like never seen before but it was Westcats who had a sniff at City's goal but it was a rather tame shot for Ridwan to collect.
Airul nearly put City infront but was denied by an excellent goalkeeping by Westcats custodian palming the latter's volley from close range.
It was Westcats who took the lead courtesy of a goalkeeping mistake. A long ball upfield was a normal routine but somehow Ridwan spilled it under pressure from opponents striker who dispossessed Ridwan and pass the ball into the net. 1-0. Westcats spot City's weakness.
They knew that Ridwan was used as an emergency and they began to try long shots which Ridwan equalled to it. City's backline did their job excellently catching their strikers offside a countless times.
City sprung into life, eager to show what they are made of coming back a number of times in recent league matches, they finally found the breakthrough. Ahmad repays the faith, running down the flanks outpacing his marker before he sends for Airul who taps into the net for the equaliser in the 17th min.
City took the lead for the first time of the match when Airul scored yet again caps a wonderful defence splitting pass from who else, Duncan Elias. 2-1.
Halftime stays in favour of City. Halftime substitutions saw Westcats changing their goalie while City made changes themselves with Fizo coming on for Xavier and Anon replaces Syam on the right.
5 minutes after the restart, Westcats drew level. Failing to clear a corner, Westcats player whipped a left foot shot around Hafiz to the bottom corner with Ridwan's view blocked. 2-2. Game on!
City had better possession. Razif and Eddy supporting the flanks nearly become fruitful but the end product wasn't there. But it soon came when Hafiz was left unmarked to head Duncan's corner to make it 3-2.
Airul had one glorious opportunity, receiving a pass from Ahmad, City's striker looks up and sends an audicious shot which grazes over the top left corner of the goal with keeper hapless.
With City pushing forward, Westcats equalised. From a set piece, their opponent rose unmarked heading across to defeat Ridwan for the third time. Ridwan decided to throw the last dice, putting on Ryan and Bob on trying to escape from the penalty ordeal.
City pushed on, Duncan rallied the team and one last chance came for Airul, who skips evades 2 tackles but can only shoots wide from close range. Referee blew the whistle and come the dreadful penalty shootout.
All eyes on City cause they have a striker standing in goal instead of a trained goalkeeper.
Westcats went up first for the shootout. The player made no mistake giving Ridwan no chance sending to the top right hand corner.
First kicker for City was Airul who sends the goalkeeper the wrong way to tie it up at 1-1.
West second spotkick. It was send furiously to the middle goal with Ridwan getting a slight hand to it. 2-1.
Next for City, Indra. City ex captain sends a goalbound shot to the keeper's left but Westcats custodian reads it well and equalled it by parrying it away. Things were looking not good for City.
Westcats number 14 steps up, sends a rather weak shot to Ridwan's left but not only did he beat the goalkeeper but he beat the post. A lifeline for City. Stays at 2-1
Duncan who took over the captaincy was next. He sends a driving shot which the keeper fumbles it into the net. 2-2.
Westcats scored their third with Ridwan yet again failing to keep it out after getting a hand to it. 3-2
Ahmad was next. The best penalty by far as City's winger rattles his spotkick to the crossbar and in. 3-3.
Final taker. Ridwan was fuming as yet again he got a hand to the spotkick but failed to deny Westcats. 4-3
Pressure was on Ryan, as he was the final kicker. He rammed it straight down the middle haplessly deceiving Westcats keeper. 4-4!
Sudden-death.
Westcats went up again. The player sends a low hard drive to Ridwan's left but the stand in keeper reflexes saw him pushing the spotkick away much to delight of his comrades.
Syam broke Westcats hearts with the final spotkick rooting the keeper to the spot ending the match 5-4 on penalties. City celebrated their triumph.
City coach commented,"It was a victory filled with joy. We were the underdogs for the game and opponents had a slight advantage cause we never had a goalkeeper. Kudos to the lads. They showed character and it paid off. I'm elated with the players. They worked their socks off."
Winger Ahmad added,"I think we should have won the game comfortably. There was only one team in the tie, but we couldn't finish our chances. Thankfully the penalty gods favoured us, and we deserved to go through to the final. Ridwan saved us with that penalty save. But it's not over yet. Final still to play and nothing is won until then."
Attacking midfielder Duncan also commented, "Absolutely delighted that we are in the final after a hard fought victory. We should have finished the game in regulation time but staying true to the culture of Chestercity, we made things difficult for ourselves but we held our nerve in the penalty shoot out. It's great to be in the final but it will mean nothing at the end of the day if we don't hold the trophy come the final whistle."
Captain Ryan, "Today's match was a tough one, we did not focus at some part of the match and we were very unlucky infront of goal cause it was a pretty hot hot weather where not every single player could perform their best under this circumstances, he (Ridwan), was a stand in keeper with no match experience as one but that penalty save from him in sudden death was so crucial that it sums up the match eventually."
Defender Eddy added, "Its not a tough match actually. We just lost some focus and should convert our chances that came our way. At the end of the day, we came on top and that's what separate the mens from the boys. I'm delighted to be in the final."
Indra commented, "First of all, i would like to apologize to my team mates for missing the initial penalty.. I think the keeper guessed it correctly and it should have been another loss for the team if not for Ridwan's brilliant save. It was a hard fight for both teams desperately wanting to be in the finals. Great performance by all.
The final has all been set. Chestercity FC will take on Hitamz at Si Ling Secondary, 5pm
kickoff on the 18th January 2015. Do support then in their hunt for glory.
