League Game 7: Match Report

In contrast to last week, the weather greeted us with scorching hot temperatures coupled with surprising morning humidity this time around. Well done to everyone for keeping away from your own weird rain rituals and bringing about the sunshine. We picked up our thrid win on the trot against a rather hardworking Team AMK FC and in doing so, scoring 3 and keeping our first clean sheet of the season (and a little beyond into last season as well). Our performance was a very collective hardworking one but I personally felt that we were dodgey, nervous and rather tired for long periods of the match. It was a good performance but I'm sure many would agree that a performance of this level will probably warrant a mauling from a team higher up in the table. I shall put that down to perhaps the break last week. The weather certainly didnt help us either. I was dead by half time and was basically clinging on for dear life. Special mention to the gaffer for keeping the team fresh and managing the substitutions and tactics from the sidelines. Switching to 4-5-1 for the last 10 minutes was a good touch. Very well taken goals by Murali and Vijay. Just a few observations from behind that I would like to add. I urge everyone to leave a comment to add on to what is being discussed here. Very pleased with the fullbacks and wingers today. Very good communication and i can see the effort in trying to help one another out. However, there were instances where both the winger and fullback pusched up and left a gaping hole behind. Many a times we were exploited in this area. Perhaps you guys can come up with your own system within the flanks where should the fullback push up, then the winger slots back into the hole or you can always call out to the centre backs to shift. On my part, I will try my best to organise the defence to fill up these spaces but I still hope that the passing and movement when the wingers and fullbacks attack will be tighter and more decisive. Try your best to play safe passes especially when you know that you are taking a risk by pushing high up the pitch. Do not hesitate to put in early balls into the box. Have confidence in your own ability and try to create chances for the strikers. The third goal was created by Siva, who is a right back, and this shows the importance of quality crosses into the box. Strikers, please make an effort to challenge for every ball. I would suggest discussing before the match with the wingers as to how you want the balls played in. Do you want low crosses? Deep crosses? Cut backs? Also have a system with your strike partner. For example, one can attack the near post and the other can peel away to the edge of the box to pick up any loose balls. When you do get the ball in the box, try your best to get a shot on target. Avoid beating players when there isnt a need to. You always have your centre midfielders to whom you can pass to. Centre midfielders, please take more shots where the opportunities arise. I dont think we tested the keeper enough today. Also try and spread the play more to the wings so as to stretch the opponents and free yourself of makers. And lastly, I will try to improve my communication with my centreback partner and also devise a proper system of playing the offside trap. A lapse between me and Pream almost caused us to concede an early goal and had that gone in, it would have been a different story all together. They seemed very capable of defending a lead for 90 minutes. Vinod, outstanding save from the penalty! Guys, it was a credible win nontheless and lets work harder in the next game to notch up another win. We will be playing the same team again ( dont't ask me why) but at Serangoon Sec this time. Let's continue working as a team and help each other out. Advice your teamates on areas they have to improve. Anand, for example, approached me after the game and adviced me to maintain my cool on the pitch and not end up being a liability to the team by getting myself sent off. Point certainly noted and I will work hard on this area. Similarly, I urge the rest to feel free to go up to one another and hand out similar pointers. Have a great week ahead boys, rest well, get some milage under your belt for your own fitness and most importantly, take care of your own health. Cheers! Oh, and lets work on our punctuality as well!

Team: Vinod, Dinesh, Pream, Kathir, Siva, Anand, Murali, Prem, Prashant, Sakthi, Vishnu, Dr Karthik, Vijay, Kumarran, Vik, Naga, Rethish, The Gaffer (Present as Ever).

Final Score: 3-0

Scorers : Murali (Around 30 minutes), Vijay ( I'm guessing like 70th and 80th minutes)

Casuarina Curry Man-of-the-Match: Vinod*

*All MOM from now on are are entitled to 1 x kosong prata, 1 x speciality prata of your choice and 1 x kopicino. Award redeemable with a trip down to Casuaina Curry with the Gaffer.