First Half
It was a comprehensive victory for us the last time we met but the team today starting with only 10 men had other ideas.
SESC got a couple of good half chances to go ahead; first a header by Kelvin who was given his debut start for the first time this season, was unlucky when it came back off the woodwork.
The Citizens actually started with 10 men as their 11th player was late by 15min. Despite that, they scored from a freekick conceded by Yusuf in the 30 yard zone, on the right during the 6th min of play. A swing from the taker high up and the ball dropped in at the far corner of Haffis reach. 1-0 to MCFC SG.
SESC were still trying to sort out their passing game but were mostly thwarted by the opposing midfielders before it could actually pose any real threat to their goal.
In the 15th min, the first swap was made by Ronnie, the manager for the day with Gary playing in a slightly unfamiliar right midfielder role and his replacement was young Syafiq.
Then a minute later, manager Fahmy came on to the pitch but for Haffis in goal who was already injured with a swollen knee.
35min into the game, Kelvin signalled to be subbed next and Ronnie brought in Simon for a direct swap.
About 30th min, a little scramble in the opposing penalty box found their defender in big relieve as the ball struck his hand and he made no attempt to move his hand away. Referee saw nothing wrong and play went on.
In the 32st min, a freekick taken by Helmi almost levelled things up too as it flew just over the bar. About two minutes later, a few nice midfield exchanges found Izat and he found a clear sight on goal which was well taken and equally matched by their keeper.
A couple of minutes later, Simon got a ball from their defender's half clearance and he quickly brought down the ball and swiped a shot but was well saved by their keeper again.
Another personnel change was made at the 35th min with Nazir coming in for Khoo Tian.
That was it at half time which a somewhat shocking scoreline of MCFC SG 1 - SESC 0.
Second Half
The restart seemed to make SESC more hyped up for a comeback and the little reshuffling mainly to the back was made, opting for a 3 centrebacks strategy.
This pushed Norman back to his organic defensive midfield position and with Ritz, Kok Hao and Daniel Tan sitting at the back. In the earlier minutes of the game, our guys seemed to click better with some nice one touch and swift passing that they are capable of.
9th minute into the second half, our boys in blue drew level through a very well organised move with Izat through ball that found the path of Nadd on the right who only had the keeper to beat and he did it like an out and out striker, 1-1!
Another 5 minutes later, a counter-attack starting from Izat collecting the ball and put through to Simon who took about two touches forward before releasing to Nadd who ran in perfectly to take a quick shot but it hit the post and out it went.
There was a sudden believe that we could score a couple more goals after that. Indeed in the very next minute, the industrious Izat picked another ball from deep and moved his way up to the final third of the opposing half before a nice reverse pass to Nadd who seemed to be beating his marker all half and take a clean shot at goal to make it two nil to SESC.
5 minutes later against a run of play, the MCFCSG side looking to their playmaker #88, putting through a beautiful ball with their striker on path for a shot but a brilliant covering job by Ritz who slid in to block the shot away for a corner.
In the 70th minute, Simon Barker was put through slightly wide of the penalty area by Izat and the Englishman moved the ball towards the byline only to be hacked down blatantly. There were more actions to come…
72nd minute; Nadd received a ball from a beautiful switch of play by Nazir from the left to the right, the barista cum model broke free and with only the keeper to beat just inside the penalty box but with the most unselfish play of the season we have seen, he chose to pass to Simon who advanced into the box entirely unmarked. The ball was beautifully weighted to Simon who reached to make contact with the ball and into the empty net. Goal! Wait, the referee blew for offside! Score remains at 2-1 to SESC.
Come 74th minute, Izat was cautioned with a yellow for a foul on their advancing midfielder breaking down the half in quick pace. The resulting free kick caused no problem to the SESC defence.
At the 76th minute of play, SESC tried to bury Man City team this time a power drive by Nazir who’s shot crashed off the bar and out it went for a throw in.
In the very next minute, SESC got the 2 goals cushion; This through another hardworking Izat who did a nice touch passing with Nazir before unleashing to Simon who coolly tucked the ball into the goal, 3-1 to SESC.
Time running out and right at the final minute of the game, a freekick taken from a similar spot from their first goal with Fahmy asking for a two-man walk to be position, the taker lashed the ball high seemingly aiming for it to drop just under the bar and indeed he did it successfully for the second time to bump the scoreline closer than the game actually panned out, 3-2 to SESC it finished.
With one game to go next, the news from other results meant that U4U had clinched their successive back to back champion yet again.
SESC will finish the season with Spurs SG, trying to beat EOA to third place finish so a tough game ahead but we have the ability to beat them for our last defeat. Let's give our best for the final game, COYBS!
06/04/14
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts.
Man U4U (Champion)
12
10
2
0
58
16
42
32
NUFC SG
12
8
1
3
43
24
19
25
EOA Liverpool
12
6
3
3
26
20
6
21
SG Spurs SC
13
6
2
5
36
41
-5
20
SG Everton SC
13
4
3
6
29
34
-5
15
Arsenal SG
11
3
1
7
26
28
-2
10
Chelsea FC SG
12
3
0
9
17
31
-14
9
Man City FCSS
13
3
0
10
16
57
-41
9
