Woodlanderz welcome City. This two teams meet in preseason friendly and shared 12 goals between them.
With the likes of Duncan already been snapped up by NFL Team SRC,
City had most of their key players missing to their lineup, only 10 men during kickoff with Eddy caught up in traffic. Ridwan decide to deploy 4-5-0 while waiting for the arrival of Eddy.
In goal City welcome back Safiuddin to the line up after Amin and Nol pulled out due to commitments. Right back, the unfit Xavier who was playing with slight illness, November's Player of the Month Aleef partners returning Jelson who is sporting a shaved head and the ever fit Aziz. In midfield, Ridwan, Mizan, Zahrul, Ryan and Indra fills up the gap leaving no one upfront.
It was Woodlanderz who scored first in the 3rd minute when they capitalized against the unfit Xavier, the striker got into the box and shoots past Safiuddin with the help of the post. 1-0.
City carbon copied Central FC's last week goal when Ryan shoots from the centre half straight from the restart which crept under the goalkeeper. Certainly a candidate for goal of the season. An instant reply.
City pushes forward. With Eddy coming on and complete the 11 for City, immediately occupied the left midfield spot, leaving Ridwan and Ryan as the orthodox strikers. Ryan's second piece of action saw him flicked towards Ridwan who reach the ball first between 2 Woodlanderz last man and goalkeeper but saw his lob just over the bar.
City and Woodlanderz had equal possession but it was the home side who retook the lead. From a throw in Woodlanderz flick header deceived Safiuddin into the empty net.
Halftime Woodlanderz lead.
Second half, Woodlanderz make a couple of changes compared to City who consume plenty of fluids knowing they need to focus another 40mins without substitutes.
They went another goal down when their subtitute went past Xavier and Jelson
before shooting a low par drive leaving Safiuddin no chance. 3-1. Ryan rallied the players on not to give up. And they did in the 55th min.
Ryan knocks down an aerial pass from City's half, Ridwan with a touch unleashed a volley to the roof of the net to cut the deficit to one. City smell an equaliser but as they searched for that goal, City were reduced to 10 men when captain Indra was sent off in a retaliation after on the receiving end of a bad tackle.
City regrouped. WoodlanderZ kept their legs fresh by bringing on subs after subs.
Woodlanderz whom had an advantage knew they only have to protect the lead but City as usual had other ideas. With no win in the past two games, they badly want the 3 points.
Pushing man forward for a corner, December Player of the Month Zahrul Bahri rose the highest to head the ball to the top corner.
3-3 game on. Now City began to feel it's their game for the taking. Eddy, Zahrul all tried long range shots which the keeper is equal to it but the pressure from City is so intense that when Ryan was free on goal, 3 Woodlanderz players dive into the tackle and referee immediately points to the spot.
Ridwan sends the goalkeeper the wrong way but referee reorders to take it when Ryan moved into the penalty box before the kick were taken.
As nerves settle in, Ridwan placed the retaken spotkick at the same position giving the keeper no chance and celebrated by removing his jersey displaying a shirt which says, "Why Me Again"
Having been book earlier in the half, Ridwan was shown a second yellow and was given marching orders. City joy was short lived. Playing the last 5 minutes with 9 men, City survived and showed class.
Final score: 4-3 to City.
Ridwan commented, "It was a great great comeback. We did that a couple of times in recent games and we really showed character. We had a couple of unfit players, players who return with no match fitness but we still managed to grab 3 points. The referee made a mistake in one of those red card given but hence we are happy to have it overturn. The lads were superb. It's great to finally see Zahrul opening his account. Ryan's halfway line goal was definitely going to be a candidate for Goal of the Season. I'm happy with the contribution of these set of players. Yet again under difficult circumstances, we make it count. The results path a way for us to climb up the table. Even at 9 men, we still believe the game was destined to be ours.
