Match 35 - Win

Firstly, I don't think anyone would mind if the match report was written in English that is not near perfect. If that's the reason why no one else would wanna write the match report, then I don't think there should be complaints if the match reports don't come out. Back to the report.

Match Report - Match 35: (Lineup: Junbing, Suichao, Kenny, Xebiant, Kaiseng, Yanshou, Hweequan, Jackie, Mervin, Alvin, Kelvin. Subs: Binghong, Rujia)


Match 35 commemorates the return of our teammate "Robinho" Binghong. After sailing the 7 seas, he will rejoin the team for a couple for months before he resumes his stint as a sailor again. With the only win in their last 5 matches coming from the previous game, a morale-boosting 6-0 win, Songbo FC would very much want to keep the good work going and get back to their winning ways.

The haze problem didn't affect the teams much as they trotted down to the field as if no problems would arise from it. Even though visiblity was slightly impaired, the PSI reading was still healthy enough for a game of soccer. The referee, "Colina" Eric, got the game underway. As the teams started to exchange passes and attempted to breakthrough, it wasn't long before they found out that their opponents were, in fact, rather evenly matched. Weaknesses were hard to spot, until a rare attempted on goal by Songbo FC gave away the opponent's weak spot; their keeper. Several drop kicks made by the keeper didn't even clear the halfway line, enforcing the impression that their keeper might just be the difference in the 2 teams today.

Though evenly matched, Songbo FC had the better of opportunities as they were awarded several free kicks around the danger zone. However, Songbo FC's free kick taker, Jackie, could not get a single free kick on target. Even team captain Rujia failed to make it count when he stepped up to have a go at one. Even though Songbo FC's aim was clear; that is to test the keeper, no clear attempts were given to them as the opponent's defence was effective and organised.

A strong defence is certainly what Songbo FC's backbone is. Out of 34 matches played excluding this one, they have only seen 13 matches that they had conceded more than a goal. A solid GK is a part of any good defence and Songbo FC's GK Junbing certainly showed what a difference the GK can make when he singlehandedly stopped his team from going behind. A lapse in positioning allowed the opponent to thread a ball into the space between the last man and the GK. The striker went through into a 1-on-1 with Junbing and shot the ball to the keeper's left. With amazing agility, Junbing dived to his left and parried the ball away. Leaving opponents and teammates alike stunned. With a performance like that, Songbo FC knew they had to repay their keeper with the obvious; score a goal and take the match.

As the second half got into midway, Rujia decided it was time "Robinho" Hong made his comeback. Slotted into right back, Binghong was playing his 1st match in several months. However, with his first control of the ball, it seems that he was still playing less than a week ago. True to his "Robinho" style, he dribbled, step-overed and shielded the ball around his opponents. The referee blew for the foul when 1 of the opponents hacked him down. The free kick won was probably more important than he ever imagined.

Up stepped Jackie, whose free kicks hasn't really been accurate for the match. For his goalscoring records in Songbo FC, no goals in the last 5 games is really a barren run. With a vendetta in mind, he sent the ball high into the area. The ball's flight flew straight to the keeper, within a jumping catch range. However, this crucial mistake came at the wrong moment for him, he misjudged his catch and tipped the ball into the back of the net. After a hard fought game, a goal was finally scored and Songbo FC went into delirium. Jackie was certainly claiming the goal, and with it, he equalled the goal scoring record of 18 goals for Songbo FC, bringing him on par with top scorer Alvin Toh, who is still weeks away from recovery.

With a goal up in their favour, Songbo FC began to lock down the opponents as time ticked away. The entire defence worked in sync to give the opponents nothing to take away from the game. A sigh of relief came as the final whistle blew. 2 wins in 2 games after a miserable run of 4 games without a win. Hopefully, this is a sign of better things to come.