FOOTBALL CLUB WORLD

Our team in D2D league
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Clementi Woods Sec 3pm - Kambing FC finally snapped a losing streak of 5 games, including a friendly game loss, to grab a point after overcoming a 0-2 deficit in a 2-2 draw against Industmarine Football. That streak has finally seen us become the bottom dwellers in Division 2 and facing certain relegation with 4 games left to play, but our typical fighting spirit was pleasing to see. James was the 5th new face in goal this season, our 6th GK overall including that friendly game, while Syafiq made his long-awaited return to the team. Debutant Radin had to be content with a place on the bench. By the end, these 3 players made such an exciting impact to the team's performance to give us all a positive lift as we wind down our season.

Defensive solidity was exhibited early on with Kelvin especially starring in the anchor role while Shahril and Azmi typically combined well to snuff out the attackers. There were hardly any chances created at both ends of the pitch. IF caught us out often on our flanks but Syafiq and Nas counteracted for us, with their pace causing plenty of problems for IF's defence. We finally carved out our first real chance of the game after I put Syafiq through on goal inside the penalty box. Our diminutive striker looked to have broken the deadlock but he inexplicably missed with a wasteful effort. I then should have done better with a free header from a corner from 2 yards out. We were punished for those misses when IF took the lead from a corner. I was at fault with for failing to challenge the opponent at the near post and his header gave James no chance. We conceded a disappointing second goal when IF again caught us out on our left flank. An opponent tucked in the wicked early cross from close range.

We gave ourselves a chance when I made amends for my earlier miss and that poor challenge which led to the opening goal, to score with a diving header from Syafiq's delighful cross. The fightback was on and we finally equalized. After winning and keeping possession in midfield, Azman threaded a pass to Nas who came infield and and fired an amazing effort from long range. We continued to dominate before and after the break against a tiring IF. We had to question some refereeing decisions that went against us including a blatant handball inside the penalty box (an incident which the referee admitted after the game that he did not see) but we failed to make our early 2nd half pressure count, and we became more predictable as the game wore on. Syafiq came closest to breaking the tie with a header (yes, the shortest one) from a corner and later with a freekick effort that just blazed over the bar late on. James' goalkicks and punts were also useful weapons. Ultimately, we failed to capitalize on our domination against a strong IF defence that were always looking to hit on the break as the match ended in a draw.

Our 4 remaining tough league games are against Holland Park XI (twice), Team Tsubasa and Luchaz Locos. Even though we played the weakest team in this divison (no offense IF), the game today has shown me a lot of our team's potential; Kelvin in that DM role, Nas, Syafiq and Radin buzzing around with their pace, James' assured goalkeeping which earned the admiration of our players (I know what they are referring to, of course, as I play with him for my Saturday team). It is an uphill task for us but if we play as well in those 4 games, as we did today, I am optimistic of our team's chances of claiming a collective morale-boosting moral victory.

Akim