4 July – Agilent Field. The Saturns sent their outgoing team manager a tonic game as a thank-you present with a sublime 3-2 finished. Davis Chong was seen in tearful mode when the whistle was blown on the final game in charge of Real Saturns, signaling the end of the 2-year DC-era.
The Saturns started the game with 1 men short on the field, even after loaning a Goal Keeper from opponent. Even the midfield stalwart SK managed to turn up 2-in-a-row performance for the game! It must have been due to the massive rains pour and rush hour traffics putting many previously committed Saturns either arriving late or no-show at all. NCSains nicknamed The Scientist started brilliantly and found the net within 3 minutes of play, with the Saturns caught by surprise strike, when the unsettled saturn defenders only defending with a 3-men defensive line. 0-1 to the Scientist and confident was growing. Saturns began to regroup, put up some neat passing with the attacking midfielder KW nearly connecting Wong’s cross, only with the former being accused of eye-closed-at-the-second-before-heading-the-ball.
When the Saturns were feeling unlucky, a quick pass from the Sains midfielder caught the Saturn defence napping. The gigantic Scientist stiker slotted pass Saturns’ net after sneaking behind Saturns’ defense line. A rare error but a true mistake by the giant Saturn defender of being not careful and did not check his backline. 0-2 the scores and Saturns are 2 goals down mid way through the first half.Saturns sent out waves of attacking display immediately in response, but just could not find the goal. The game was dragging towards the end of 1st half, with NCSains testing Saturns defence constantly.
Saturn’s KW missed an few early chance, but was able to answer the critics by sending a high ball testing Sains’ defensive line. Wong was able to connect with KW’s high ball and calmly stike thru the Sains’ goal keeper. 1-2 was the scores and Saturns managed a goal back. Saturns regroup and solidified their defensive line with KC constantly closing down Scientist’s attacking threads. Few reflective saves by the Saturns’ loaned goal keeper kept the scoreline to 1-2. The Saturns already have a thought in their mind to sign this loan keeper as the backup to their first choice keeper. Will this happen? Will the next saturns’ management able to lure this keeper? On one occasion Saturns’ SK could become the morale boosting hero by leveling the scoreline, after a great cross by KC, only to see SK unmoved and wasted a golden chance.
Saturns midfielders working hard to provide shields to the defense after long dominance by the Sains, deep into the second half of the game. Saturn’s Wong raced down from left side of the field, he spotted the unmarked SK, and sent a cross to SK. What happened next was, a calculated flying and diving header by SK aiming to the bottom right corner, and the opposition keeper dived to the right, but can only collect the ball within the net! 2-2!!! SK finally found the net! Saturns’ winger Lau that was absent must have thought “only limpek can cross like that”, but too bad to Lau he cannot claim this assist as the cross was done by Wong. Sorry Lau. Come next game rain or shine and you will have your chance to cross like that.
By now the Saturns was all gear up looking for the winner since they believe they can turn the game around, just like how they did it against NByN 2 weeks ago. Saturns’ defenders were busy tackling Sains’ attacking movements and Saturns’ midfielders breaking Sains’ midfield connections. Saturns were playing sexy counter attack football, with KW taking his chance putting shots only to see the brillant saves by Sains’ keeper maintaining the scoreline to 2-2.
The Sains’ keeper was in spotlight again after Saturns sending waves of shots-on-goal. On one occasion, the Sains keeper pressuring Saturns’ Haniff which seemed like a simple tap-in, pushing Haniff to make mistake and not finding the 3rd goal!
Saturns’ never give up fighting spirit once again shown on their face with every players participating in both offence and defence.5 minutes before the clock ticked to the end, Saturns’ SK received a nice pass from right wing after some good ball holding and dribbling works done by the combined Haniff and Manager Davis, SK looked up to his left and saw Wong managed a good run between Sains’ defenders. SK calmly passed the ball to Wong, and with much anticipation, Wong stiked again to sting and beat Sains! 3-2 and the hard fought 3rd goal was finally stamped on the score sheets! Sorry Lau you have to come next game to try to claim an assist.
When the final whistle was blown, once again the Saturns left it late, and a great come back.
Match Report by: New on Board Rotating Manager Tan, Tat Kin.
