USM Gelugor - Saturn fans left home with disbelief when the team had 6 chances of 1-on-1 but none delivered.
Former Sutton goalkeeper Wayne Shaw, who was famously filmed eating pie on the sideline during a FA Cup game with Arsenal, was spotted in USM donning USM Veteran's jersey.... oh it was a mistake in the report. It wasn't Wayne the actual person, but rather the USM veteran's Goal Keeper resembled Wayne Shaw. They both have round face and similar body mass. Don't be mistaken by the similar outlook, the USM Veteran's GK made stunning saves denying Saturn victories when the results could have been 6-2 to Saturn.
USM Vets got lucky when the forward back-headed a crossing into the top corner of the net after bouncing from bar. 1-0 to Vets after 18 mins.
Saturn's speedy Firmino-Kecex cut thru the left channel in a quick one-two play with Nip and found himself in a 1-on-1 situation with USM Vet GK. Vet GK saved with the half-inch extra fatty leg when Kecex stabbed.
3 minutes later the unlucky Nip dribbled from the center of the park and found himself in a favourable 1-on-1 situation with Vet GK again. A trademark positional hit (but rather weakened) by Nip was saved again by the out-reaching Vet GK. *Ahem......
Patrick of Saturn had a hard 1st half to forget, loosing possession when USM Vet closing in fast.
BSLau was constantly boo'd by USM home fans when the lazy winger did no intelligent runs. The hardworking and midfield maestro Sze Foo was left amazed when Lau was static on the field. Saturns never learn from team play after 10 years together that Lau must dribble in any situation, even presented overlapping opportunity. As such a pass to space is a waste of ball. Lau is not Mocha-Hooi or Kecex who are both intelligent in channel attacks.
Saturn lost the midfield battle cheaply and have to face the advancing play from USM Vets in the first half. Saturn's defense marshaling by the excellence partnership of TK and KC was able to block many threats. Later on Saturn Coach Mr X was quoted saying the referral to video helped organizing the defensive structure.
The 3rd and 4th 1-on-1 for Saturn came quickly when 2nd half started. Within minutes, Patrick broke thru from midfield playing a more advance role. however an attempted nutmeg to the Vet GK was unsuccessful when the fatty leg managed to closed door, blocking Patrick' shot. Minutes later the solid USM Vet GK denied Andrew Kuan's shot, again in a break-thru 1-on-1.
The wastefulness of Saturn proof costly. USM Vet's forward broke Saturn's offside trap and scored with a powerful shot. Saturn's 2nd half GK was static and helpless with the shot. 2-0 Vets widen the gaps.
Waves of unsuccessful attacks with tiring legs brought frustrations to Saturn. Siang and Mocha Hooi were caught offside.
on the other hand the Saturn defense was tested and threaten many times when USM Vets attempted some simple one-twos.
At 70th minute a smart one-two play thru the left attacking of Saturn between Hooi and Andrew presented Hooi the 5th 1-on-1 situation with USM Vet GK. Hooi's shot was deflected for a corner.
Kapitan SB's advance play found himself open for 6th 1-on-1, but Andrew's passing to his favourite kaki Nip instead made things harder when USM Vet defenders closed the gap.
Saturn piled in pressure and on the 90th minute pull a goal back to 2-1, after the perseverance attacking by Hooi. Hooi cut in from left, released a fierce shot that was blocked by the panic USM defender, and on reflection Hooi's follow up second shot was converted into the net. Saturn celebrated as if they have won the game.
Saturn clocked in a staggering 62% dominance of possession, and had 14 shots with 8 on target, with 2 forced corner. A good attacking play of Saturn but the wasteful 1-on-1s failed to win the game.
A post match interview by Asstro Super Channel 8888 with Saturn's Coach Mr X showed the disbelief of Mr X. "No no we will not xyz or abc them...We will ask our players who failed to convert 1-on-1 (to attend) special course. Because psychologically (not scoring) does not feel good. when you have 6 or 7 chances and none converted."
"Also, i think we found an unpolished gem tonight. for the last 16 mins of the 2nd half, defensively our left-back was playing alright!" Mr X continued. "We can certainly make him a left playing midfield-cum-wingback. We just need to pass to his feet to allow him dribbling opportunity to keep him happy so that he can play left back again..."
