Hi all,
Captain Sparrow here. I have to admit that I was in Z*
Match report – Match 36 : (Lineup: Yanshou, Kelvin, Kaiseng, Kenny, Hweequan, Weijie, Rujia, Alvin, Jackie, Mervin, Junbing)
This was the 2.5 times that we were playing against my Indon frens team. The 1st 1.5 times had ended in statlemate between us. Thus, the outcome of this match was to be eagerly anticipated. Prior to the start of the match, intelligence reported that the Indon team that appeared at NTU was only close to 50%. Several of their key players did not appear on the team sheet. The instructions for the match was easy: Play simple, keep the ball on the ground and convert our chances.
The match started on a positive note for our team. The guys were confident after back-to-back wins and seem to be enjoying the game in the early stages. The team dominated the game but could not turn the possession into goals. Frustration starts to set in and it was not helped by some calamity goalkeeping from Tiger who almost let in a simple goal from a high bounce.
Captain Sparrow was trying hard to motivate the team and prevent complacency from setting in but he was not able to settle into the game himself. However, the break through came after a fine move down the right. The cross came in and upon hearing a shout from behind, Mervin made a brilliant dummy. Sparrow got the ball under control with one touch and put the ball into the net with the next. 1-0.
The rest of the 1st half saw Songbo having a couple of decent chances but was unable to put it away. Simple square passess were missing and instead, cross-field passess were attempted on a frequent basis.
Soon, ‘Collina’ blew for the break. During the half-time team talk, Sparrow gave the team a good dressing-down for being complacent and not taking their chances well. The target was simple, anything less than a 3-4 goal win will be deemed as a failure.
The team came out of the break, with renewed enthusiasm and purpose. The defence was more compact and Tiger was showing much more assurances. The midfield was trying to open up the opponents’ defence and helping the strikeforce create chances. Songbo doubled its lead within a short time.
Papasoh, deciding that a simple shot on target will be able to beat the inexperienced keeper, converted a shot after good work from the attacking midfielders. 2-0
Soon, Jackie got into the act. He placed a good shot just above the keep from a free kick. That goal brought him to the top of Songbo’s goalscoring charts, overtaking the injured Alvin Toh.
The major talking point of the match came right after that. Sparrow, usually composed and clear headed, conceaded a silly penalty. He was tracking back at the same opponent who clipped his ankles just minutes earlier and used his hands to shove him when he was in the penalty area. Altho the opponent did not fall to the ground, ref felt that it was clear enough to give a penalty. It was harsh but that serves as no excuse for the stupidity and rashness shown by the captain. In short, it was simply uncalled for, with the team in such commanding position.
The taker placed the ball to Tiger’s right, who was unlucky not to have saved the kick after getting the direction right. 3-1.
Thereafter, Songbo was subjected to more pressure and it seemed that the opponents would be able to get back into the game after the silly mistake by Sparrow. However, determined defending and assured goalkeeping ensure Songbo’s lead was not cut further.
A solo effort by Jackie on the left followed by a shot to the keeper’s near post which he should have parried restored Songbo’s 3 goal lead.
Papasoh got his second for the day by planting a firm header into the goal. 5-1. Game, set, match.
The match was one sided but Songbo laboured harder than they should. This was certainly not helped by the reckless behaviour of Captain Sparrow. I would like to use this opportunity to apologise to the team for the moment of madness. As I said, if it was any other player who had committed the mistake, he would have gotten a real thrashing from me. It would have been a clean sheet if not for me. Let’s hope everyone learns from this and not repeat the mistake.
A 3rd win on the trot. Songbo is well into the end of season flourish.
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