It’s a match we dearly felt we could have gain something but sadly the objectives has to be changed when we only have 10 men to start the game and majority of us are in the mid/late 30s.. However as how old wine taste much better with age – Our guys decided to show why we are simply one of the best wine in town..
Leonard decided to start with 4-3-2 jolly well knew that we need at least 2 men upfront if we were to gain something out of any. The plan works out brilliantly well where we hold them superbly well in both defense and yet managed to serve some occasionally counterattacks. In the 15min - Leonard launched brilliant long free kick that broke free the defense line which landed so nicely for Gao Feng to just lop over the keeper. 1 goal for Royals!! Sadly a defensive mistake was made and gave Panthers a chance to pick the mistake and converted it. Halftime ended with 1-1.
To be frank we all knew we had already done the impossible by leading the game at one point and yet still holding our ground during halftime.. Alas, Xiao Lee the guest player of the day who has been so industrial in our mission impossible battle; Had to leave during halftime which we knew a horrible 2nd half will be heading our way.. Leonard did have some tempting idea to start with 3 strikers for the 1st 10min but decided to stick with the safe approach (Bearing in mind that majority of us are in mid or late 30s and if Xiao Lee would able to stay abit longer…) By luck or chance – One of the uninvited spectators agreed to join our fray and hoping to off load some losses from Xiao Lee.. So same formation and number of players to start for in 2nd half.
2nd half kickoff with the same intensity from the Panthers but our 4 old solid guards plus “You won’t believe he’s Just a stand-in Keeper” Zack - Are just simply too good and unbreakable for any attacking team of the day. Sadly it took one of Panthers players to break us down by some Messi/Ronaldo magic in the 55 min, dazzling off 3 players before rounding off our stand-in keeper; 2-1 against Royals. Finally we are losing for the 1st time in the game.
However our another ever green Gao Feng and our new gem finds, Ben G decided to show why it does make a differences to have 2 players upfront – Ben G picking up a brilliant turnover from William and quickly give a thru ball for Gao Feng. With only keeper to beat and yet another lop shot, hit the far post before the ball totally cross the goal-line! Again 2 goals apiece for both team!!
Sadly tiredness has already set in for Royals and we couldn’t do any meaning attacking for the rest of the minutes.. Soon enough Panthers served us the 3rd goal and proved to be the final nail to the coffin…. Whistle finally blew with most of the old wines in royals felt like just dropped down to the ground like been shot at the head.. Not because we lost but simply because we did ourselves so much credits and and “wow” factors within ourselves.. The Awe feeling can be truly felt from Panthers who are really admire us from our defensive work to the brilliant sharp shooter upfront.
MOTM goes to Zack who did so well in between the post. Not forgetting others folks like Ben Senior and Tim – Who combined age is almost a century old and yet taken up fullback cum winger role thru-out the entire games.
