It was a sweaty week leading up to this fixture as our injury list lengthens till we can almost field a team out of it. As of eve of this match, we had only 13 players on the roster. Fortunately, Siong managed to squeeze out time to make the team, and we again activated our guest player, Martin. With so many players out injured or unavailable, SK deputised in goal for the 3rd week in a row, and Harold captained the team for the day. We started with a 4-1-4-1 formation, against a team that whipped British Club.
1st Half
Surprisingly, we started strongly despite the haze rumored to be at least 222 psi. Within 2mins from kickoff, an incisive pass from Harold to Patrick, whose shot was parried weakly by the keeper, and Yew Boon pounced on the rebound to put us 1-0 up. However, our joy was shortlived as a harmless looking back pass by Harold, bounced over SK for their equalizer. Our opponents only strategy was directly pumping the ball upwards, and due to our defence playing a high line, we started to look nervy. On the 21st min from a freekick, our offside trap attempt went wrong, putting 3 of their players free in our box, and their No.17 smashed it pass our hapless keeper. The opponent's No.10, a big burly striker was contantly body checking Kee, and was booked for a stamp on Kee soon after. Tempers started to soar after that as the same guy kept arguing or physically bullying our players. Despite several warnings by the referee, he again lunged at Patrick with a dangerous tackle which saw him dismissed for a 2nd yellow card offence. With the numerical advantage, we pressed vigourously and was rewarded with a similar own goal from our earlier one. Just before halftime, Harold, desperate to redeem himself from the earlier own goal, almost gave us the lead when he dribbled past the last defender and was left with the keeper to beat, but it was well saved. Half ended 2-2.
2nd Half
We knew our opponents were there for the taking, both SK and Sherman decided to change to a 4-4-2 formation. Disaster struck just 2mins into the 2nd half when an harmless cross into our box was not dealt with, and their No.17 stunned us by turning a weak shot in to make it 3-2 in their favor. Shell shocked, anger, disbelief, but we fought on with more grit and determination. An opportunist strike from a loose ball by Martin, powered into the net to level score within 6mins of their goal. From then on, we were in full control, but poor finishing and luck eluded us on several occasions. Yew Boon was in the thick of most of the action, as he huffed and puffed his way throughout the match with determined runs and physical challenges. On the 57th min, Yew Boon powered his way into the box and was brought down unfairly but the referee waved play on depite his protest. Credit to him, he got up instantaneously and challenged the ball back, and was whacked down again within seconds! This time, the referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. Harold stepped up and confidently struck it home. We could have built on the lead, with chances coming from Yew Boon's header which struck the crossbar, and Martin's miskick when he was through on goal. Soon after, a lobbed pass into the box, lead to Yew Boon and the opponent's keeper crashing into each other, of which Yew Boon was wrongly shown an yellow card. It was one of the rare decision that the referee got wrong as it was a 50-50 challenge, and Yew Boon was the one who suffered gashes on his thigh and arm instead. One final notable chance came to Damian, whose pile driver just outside the box was well saved by their keeper. We kept our shape and concentration to hold on to our lead, and most importantly, another 3 points in the bag. Final Score 4-3. Well done Incepcion!
MOM
We like to reitarate that the MOM is a determined by the criteria of playing above himself on match day, and it was uanaimously voted by the committee to Yew Boon. 1 goal, 1 assist, and many bruises to go with it.
Conclusion
We like to acknowledge that this win is a result of the commitment and discipline displayed by everyone who played today. There were many unsung heroes out there today, from the tactics and substituion management of SK and Sherman, to the defence putting their body on the line, to the midfielders and forwards who ran their socks out. This was a victory won by teamwork, and not by any individual. Everyone dug in, and gave their best effort. Hard fought but brilliant victory. Notable injuries were suffered by Roger (hand) and Yew Boon (arm and thigh), hope that it's not too damaging to add to our injury list. Let's go on an unbeaten streak..........See u guys soon!
