Agilent - (19 Dec 2012) Poor display by the Saturns managed to salvage a draw with the lucky point with Intel NCS team. A staggering 6 goals by each side resulting a draw with the final score line read as 6-6!
The absents of Saturns reliable keeper Ko meant that the first half goal post was managed by Wong while TK guarded the post in the second half.
Saturns started the game with high tempo and registered their first goal as early in the 7th minutes when a through ball passing by Andrew connected with Haniff. Haniff did not disappoint the team with the finishing product, producing a 1 nil lead.
The noisy winger of Saturns was seen protesting to the giant TK of Saturns when the former attempted a corner ball that barely connecting to TK. TK missed out the header, much to the discontent of Lau, simply as his assist statistic stayed flat. Another corner by the flamboyant winger met with an intelligent header of Haniff but NCS's keeper managed a brave save. Lau did not complain this time, guess he dare not complain too much to the only-recognised-striker-Haniff-at-that-moment and he needed to supply more to Haniff for more strikes.
A good midfield interchange by NCS's Syazwan with striker seen a defensive hole exposed and NCS leveled the score to 1-1 soon in the 20th minute. The first half ended without much serious troubles to each of the keepers of Saturns' and NCS'
a minute from restart, NCS took a surprised lead and the signal of the down-fall of the Saturns began to show. A defence lapse from the left side seen NCS winger crossed a perfect ball that placed between the 2 center half of Kor and KC, with the NCS striker manage a 1st time volley into RS's net. RS keeper was in shock with the volley. 2-1 NCS took the lead.
Saturn replied to level the score to 2-2 in the 50th minute, via the reliable striker Wong, after a clever midfield pass by Kah Weng. the entire RS team errupted with joy because the race of top assist with KW breathing under the neck of Lau is real!
Looked dejected, a lazy and slacking Lau let NCS dribble passed him, Lau didnt track back to help pressuring NCS, and allowed NCS rooms to grow and shot from distance. RS Keeper TK could not response to the shot and NCS took the lead once more to 3-2. This time the Saturn stand-in keeper TK was not happy with the midfield slacking display.
Tireless and solid defensive runs by KC with the stellar game-reader Kor managed to put NCS's attacks from enlarging the scoreline. In response to defense split-running of NCS's Syazwan, Saturns' Kor was fully alert and read the game perfectly and hacking the dangerous NCS plays away from troubles. Thumbs up to the 40+ year-old CRC veteran! Old and spicy ginger...
Saturn came from behind once more to put the scoreline to 3-3, with a solo run by Chin Leong from midfield.
A lack of midfield concentration once more from the Saturns, allowing and encouraging NCS's midfielders to shoot from outside the box. Saturn Keeper TK was mad despite putting efforts in eating grass in unsuccessful diving save. NCS took the lead again to 4-3.
The poor show from Saturn midfields control not closing down opponent and not taking command in the midfield, once more allow midfield splitting passings by the NCS. A through ball break from left side seen NCS releasing shots testing Saturn. TK dived to near post and the flip to the ball diverse the shot to hit the post. Kor was in time once more to hack the ball away from danger from the rebound. Lucky Saturn escape for the 5th goal this time around!
But the NCS did not have to wait too long to celebrate their 5th goal. A teasing shot by NCS attacking midfield once more outside the box with the ball flew and dipped into the Saturn's top right corner. Despite the height of the giant Saturn keeper, the 5th goal of NCS could be the wonder play of the game. 5-3, to the delight of NCS the goal difference enlarged.
Kor has to hack down the growing NCS in several occasion in fouling the NCS players, and freekicks were awarded. much to the delight of Saturns, the free kicks did not yield much troubles.
The sleeping Saturns was caught pant downed once more. NCS, once more able to find space with some brilliant dribbing and midfield passes, released a shot that flew passed Saturn's midfielders but deflected from the unlucky Kor and went into the net, with Saturn's TK diving to the wrong side. 6-3 the NCS was with joy with such a big margin scoreline! Saturns' defenders were all sad and in disbelieve.
Saturns Davis sparked the come-back riot in the 80th minutes of the game, with a cross by the now-determined-to-be-top-assist Lau, and Davis releashed a perfect semi-volley from the right side, and flew into the top right corner of NCS's post. 6-4 the Saturn still with a mountain to climb.
Encouraged by the scoreline, Saturns put up attacking pressures. Wong of Saturn registered his 2nd goal of the game after a powerful strike by SK parried away by NCS's keeper. Wong turned and shot and place the ball behind the NCS net. 6-5 the scores with 2 minutes left.
Referee was looking his watch and awarded a 1 minute injury time.
The belief has grown within Saturns by this time that they can steal the NCS's victory.
A surging left midfield attack, sparked via Lau and flicked to the advancing Khye Beng from the left back position. Khye Beng dribbled pass 1 NCS rightback, calmnly and accurately placed the ball to Wong. Wong looked up and found the space, and placed a shot that flew pass to NCS keeper. Goal~~~!!! and the Saturn leveled to 6-6. Bloody hell what a game! Sorry Lau no further assist despite how much you wished.
MOM- Kor, with the tackles, hacks, game-reader, or else the sorry Saturns will be in double digits score.
