We turned up at Ping Yi Secondary buoyed by our victory the previous week and we hoped to begin 2014 with a victory. The referee was late and it was our FAVOURITE referee. Due to the ref being late, we had the opportunity to have a glimpse of the opponent’s warm up and were already impressed by their technical capabilities. “Guess it’s going to be a tough game today” was the phrase on everyone’s lips. Team talk was able keeping the shape and trying to contain them. The definition of contain was to sit at our half-way line and let the opponents pass the ball and we will go for the nearest player to us in our shape.
Very quickly, our opponents showed us that they were good. They were able to string passes together for a while without us getting close to it. Containing them seem to work as we repel their attacks. This didn’t last. 11 minutes into the game, a break through the centre from their midfield opened the scoring. 2 mins later, a similar play resulted in 0-2. Then it was 0-3 in 15 minutes. We were simply overwhelmed by their passing and movement. The best goal of the game came in the 24th minute when a right wing cross to the middle was expertly volleyed into the top corner from the edge of our penalty box. 0-4 down. Shell shocked, we couldn’t even pass the ball properly. Patrick was working hard and got his reward when he burst through to reach Andy’s through ball to chip the goalkeeper. He then almost had a second goal when he harassed the defence and got free but the goalkeeper got a touch just when he was about to shoot. Andy had a perfectly legitimate header goal from Harold’s corner but was disallowed because Damian went to hug the goalkeeper. I guess the referee didn’t like that show of affection from Damian. Half-time 1-4.
I told the team to forget about the 1st half. We were definitely well beaten by a very good team. But we were pressuring them back in the later part of the second half and could have got more. Let’s keep going and try to win the second half. Communication and encouragement were key and definitely necessary to improve our game.
Following that cue, we took the initiative in the second half and were stringing a few good moves but were let down by the final ball. In the 52nd minute, a shot from outside the box made it 1-5. We continued the pressure and were rewarded with another goal. Bee ran forward into the penalty box, headed a clearance to Harold, who headed into goal. First assist ever from Bee. A wonderful moment to savor for him. We stood firm, made the necessary changes with the rotational policy and kept them at bay. We also had a good chance when Patrick headed agonizingly wide from another corner. 8 minutes to go and they scored again. A dribble through the middle and shot in the box gave them the lead for the 2nd half. We had a few more chances. Colin tripped over himself when he was put through by Harold, Jiunn headed against the post from another corner and Damian tried to make more friends. Final score 2-6.
We were well beaten by a much better team. It was like Barcelona vs Everton. Everton will always find it tough to beat Barcelona. Maybe one day. Despite the defeat, I felt that we did ok. We tried hard but simply cannot match the passing and movement and skills of the opponents. It was a tough game but everyone gave a good account of themselves. Andy was working hard and created a few good chances. Harold tried his bags of tricks but couldn’t break through. Clarence threw himself at every challenge, including at the referee. My MOM this week goes to Patrick. He worked hard, scored a great goal and could have gotten more.
Let’s leave this behind and look forward to the next game. It could be the beginning of my last few games in charge.
