With 2 of the key players out, SESC's manager opted for a conservative strategy.
There were two debutants for this game; Chris Edwards (for this season) and Jesper Poh.
The game started with both teams trying to sit tight behind and waiting for the opposing attacks to come at each other. However chances were few and far between, EOA did look the likely of the two teams to take the lead.
New boy, Jesper was easily the most lively of the blueboys with his constant wing runs and dashing back to perform his primary duty. A few nice touches and composed visionary short passes made him looked like a seasoned player already.
At about 5min later a high ball challenge with Jesper winning the header cleaning, an EOA midfielder high boot caught him in the face. The referee blew for a freekick to the blues but no card or warning giving to the reds.
In about the 20min into the game, a switch of play almost put their winger through on goal but the pace of the ball took it slightly tighter for a good angled shot. The ball was well hit and Ronnie got a slightest of touch to it and it kissed the crossbar and over. The referee blew for a goalkick instead.
In about two minutes later our SESC hitman, Izat looked to be on the scoresheet but a spectacular save from their keeper denied that.
About 5min to go in the first half, a wonderful shot from Chris looking for the far side of the goal again was well and cleanly caught to prevent a corner.
Referee brought the half to a close as how it started but clearly both sides did not have a clear sight at goal.
The second half saw a few changes of personnel with the left back of Nadd who was actually not 100% fit for the game and was replaced by Helmi. Chris was pushed down to play a roving Defensive Mid role and Norman as the anchor Defensive Midfielder.
That move actually made a lot of sense as the EOA side started the half with a clear intent to go for the win. Norman had to make several clearances and interceptions to prevent the reds charging cleaning. They too made a couple of changes and one of the reserves were dictating play with his long diagonal crosses to try to catch our boys off guard.
However our backline led by Kok Hao did not succumb to the pressure.
It felt that the EOA team were on a 60% possession and won a couple of corners but could not find the target.
Clearly the team in red were starting to feel frustrated and that was evident after a somewhat late tackle by captain Giles was almost turned ugly when the victim stood back up and looking to raise his fist but held back after Giles did the right thing by walking away. The first yellow card was flashed at our Englishman though.
Fahmy then brought on SESC 2nd leading scorer, Tim into the fray and he wasted no time running into space and seeking for the through ball whenever and wherever possible.
From against the run of play towards 75th min he brilliantly controlled a high and long ball from Ronnie's punt from an EOA corner, he beaten 3 EOA defenders and eventually winning a corner. You could see that his teammates knew what he could do, all running away from him and either waiting for him to shoot or his cross in.
In about a minute later the action was switched to the other end, this time from SESC corner clearance EOA hit a long ball which seemed to find their striker who was about to fake a turn and run through in the other direction, William appeared to be the last man and he did not move out of the way and the referee interpreted that as an unsporting foul and shown him a yellow. Only the second of the entire game.
With about 5 min of normal time to go a throw-in from EOA deep at edge of the SESC penalty box after a foul throw by Wei Terk, the ball found their striker's head and his sweetly guided ball was looking to dip just under the crossbar, Ronnie managed to reach out his hands and brought it down cleanly just at the goal line. A relief to all in blues.
Deep into injury time, a long kick from their centre defender dropped nicely ahead of their tall striker and beaten our last man but Ronnie was out to challenge, hoping to close off his angle. The striker was bumped slightly out of balance with the goal narrowed to about 60deg away from sight, his toe poked of the ball went wide of the open goal. Again, hearts were in all SESC players mouth then.
Referee played about 4min of injury time and Tim this time collected the ball from Izat from the side and moved from right to left, played it to Izat who did a one touch to Giles. A quick exchange then to Tim who got to about 45deg of the goal at sight and shot it with 3 players breathing down his neck trying to block it. But the fierce shot went agonisingly over the bar.
The game ended with nice handshakes and the most pleasing thing to SESC is the fact that EOA still cannot beat the stubborn blues in the 2 seasons of this league.
On the downside, 5th position is mathematically the best position we could finish the league this season with two more games to play.
22/03/14
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts.
Man U4U
11
9
2
0
53
15
38
29
NUFC SG
11
7
1
3
42
24
18
22
EOA Liverpool
11
6
2
3
24
18
6
20
SG Spurs SC
12
6
1
5
34
39
-5
19
SG Everton SC
12
3
3
6
26
32
-6
12
Arsenal SG
10
3
1
6
25
23
2
10
Chelsea FC SG
11
3
0
8
17
30
-13
9
Man City FCSS
12
3
0
9
14
54
-40
9
