Match 141 - Win

Songbo FC 2:1 Opponents

Date: 25th Jul 2010
Venue: Bukit Merah Sec School
Jersey: Black

Starting Line-Up

Junbing(GK), Kelvin(LB), Swee Chao(CB), Kenny(CB), Kaiseng(RB), T.Weijie(LM), Hwee Quan(DM), Binghong(RM), Rujia(CM), Alvin Toh(AM), Jeremy(CF)

Subtitutes:
Mervin, H.Weijie

Scores:
HT: 0-1
FT: 2-1

What is Mervin doing?

Our 'Model' outfit for Songbo FC

(Su lang mai su say)

After 2 consecutive charity matches, Songbo FC is all geared up for this official game. The outcome of this match will indirectly affect the next one as rumors having been going around saying that the highly-acclaimed soon-to-be-initiated Songbo FC’s first manager will arrived to take his first game in charged. A win here will no doubt put him under some pressure of maintaining the superb 6 games winning streak run (8 if the 2 charity matches are counted). A lost here will enable him to start things ‘afresh’.


At a first glance, it may seem that getting a win here would be a tough one as the opponents are made up by a mixture of our Indians and Malay friends, a very lethal combination. But a well drilled pre-match briefing by Capt. Sparrow (which could be his last as a player cum manger), managed to instilled some confidence back to the team.


This venue is a first for Songbo. Though it’s bigger than the previous one, it’s still quite small in size. A small field would mean that there won’t be much chance for the players to ‘slack-off’. They must be on the alert constantly.


As expected, the first few minutes of the 1^st half are packed with a lot of actions. Short and quick passes are made frequently and plenty of good chances are created on both ends. The best dressed of the day, Robinbo, playing on the right flanked, doesn’t seem to be able to get into the game. He drifts too wide off his position, which causes a lot of holes in between him and Lusty. The opponents took advantage of this and focus more of their attack on the right. Though the highly-reputable Songbo’s defense managed to repelled most of the attack, cracks eventually appear. A quick one-two between the opponent’s CM and RM saw them broke through the defense line. With just the keeper to beat, the RM coolly toe poked the ball into the bottom left hand corner. Songbo down 0-1.


Rather than pondering on how to rectify his playing styles, Robinbo feels that it’s his new Addidas Predator soccer boots that is hindering his game. He runs off to change to a new pair. Clearly one can see that his boots wasn’t the problem when his performance with the new pair of boots hasn’t improved abit at all.


Songbo dig hard trying to find an equalizer. And they did come very close with Jeremy, who have a thought too much, choose to take on the defender rather than having a shot at goal. The attempt ended in a failure as the defender has the upper hand most of the time. The referee blew for the half time whistle and a dejected Songbo head off to the ‘dressing room’.


After a earful from Capt. Sparrow, the rejuvenated Songbo heads off to the pitch, thinking of how to get back into the game. The 2^nd half started almost in a similar fashion to the first. But the difference is that instead of a draw, Songbo is now down by a goal. Lady luck seems to be smiling at Songbo when a very poorly taken goal kick fell to Alvin Toh. There’s still much to be done before he can get the ball into control and shift himself into a good position to shoot. A neat touch enables him to dribble past the approaching DC. With his sight clear on goal, he unleashes a curling shot which spins away from the GK’s hands at the last moment. Goal! Songbo is back into the game!


The unexpected goal seems to have dealt a heavy blow to the opponents. They’re now committing more players to defense then attack. The few attacking chances that they have are quickly broken down with either poor passes or well zonal marking of the superb and in-form Songbo defense. With not much attacking threat, Songbo focus all their energy into adding another goal and turning the tide around completely.


Robinho, whose performance in the 2^nd half is much better than first, swings a cross in from the left. Mervin was at the receiving end of the ball. But his poor first touch could only result in another missed chance. With the game heading for what seem like a draw, a break from the left sees Jeremy cutting back a ball back to Capt. Sparrow in the penalty box. Almost losing his balance, he manages to catch a glimpse of the on rushing Commando Tan, who is having an outstanding game, and lays a pass to him. For a moment, time seem to freeze. As the ball roll slowly into Commando Tan’s path, he lifts his right foot and moves himself into a shooting position. A well executed and connected half volley puts the ball into the bottom left hand corner. GOAL !!!! A rare comeback from Songbo !! A good break down the right by Jeremy, a good awareness from Capt. Sparrow to spot Commando Tan, a well executed strike by Commando Tan to put the ball into the net, and mostly importantly, a strong belief by the team is what made this a comeback possible.


However, the win is still not guaranteed as there’s still time left for the opponents to draw the game or worse, make a comeback of their own. In the dying minutes of the game, a cross from the left saw the ball connected with the opponent striker. Fortunately, the execution wasn’t good and the ball flew agonizingly close to the right hand pole.


After what seem like eternity, the desperately-awaited full time whistle was blown. And the comeback win is now 100% confirmed! A very good play by Songbo made this a much deserved victory. Just how far can they continue with this winning streak? The question doesn’t lies with how good the next opponent will be… But rather, can Songbo continue to carry on this belief that, they have the ability to win every match as long as they play a mentally-tough, hard-working and well-disciplined game.



Summary by,
Bullocks13