Friendly Match Report [31st March]

Everyone was excited about the 1st Friendly Match of the year for the Pentecost Reds [should this be our official team name?] Most players came early to get ready and prepare themselves for the match. After a word of prayer led by Maurice, Captain Glenn briefed the team on formation, tactics and the importance of playing together as a team. As we walked on the field for warm-ups, it started to rain. That was rather surprising as it was a hot and sunny day. As the match kicked-off, the rain really came down and the PMC Reds had to adjust their style of play given the new conditions. Before they could do this, the 'Petrolwatch' Whites took the lead through a scrappy first goal from a defensive mix-up in the box. Before the Reds knew it, they were 2 goals behind from a shot on the left wing which skidded under the body of keeper Jeremy. It was only after going 2 goals down that the Reds started to compose themselves and looked like threatening the Whites' defence. Before long, the Reds pulled a goal back. A through ball from midfield found its way to Jingzhong who slotted the ball neatly pass the keeper. Within minutes, he made it 2-2, repeating a similar move. The Reds were starting to play to their potential, and as the rain died down, it looked like the Reds were going to take a deserved lead. This they did, thanks again to Jingzhong who beat the Whites' defence and the keeper to make it 3-2. He almost put the Reds up 4-2 before half-time but his shot was unfortunately held on the line by a puddle of water.

The 2nd half started with the Reds trying to go for an early goal, but this was not so easy coming. It took awhile and an excellent shot from Sheldon that put the Reds up 4-2. I heard someone commenting after the match that it looked like a 'Steven Gerrard piledriver'. With a comfortable 2-goal lead, the Reds made widespread changes, with many experienced players coming on to control the match. It was thus a bonus when a good move by the Reds down the right wing found the Whites' keeper stranded. John kept his cool to deliver an excellent cross to Samuel Eyo who slotted the ball into an empty net to take the Reds up 5-3. This was when the Whites started to show their grit and fighting spirit. Winning a corner, the cross was poorly defended and it found its way to a towering head and a goal for the Whites. Before long, the Whites pounced again, capitalising on a poor clearance and beating 2nd-half Reds' keeper Kelvin to make it 5-4. It was a tense last few minutes as the Whites piled on the pressure for the equaliser. Finding their way through the Reds' defence again, sweeper Jimmy had no choice but to go for the tackle, conceding a penalty in the process. Alas, the Reds' victory was meant to be as Kelvin saved the penalty, with the match ending thereafter. The Pentecost Reds have started the 2007 on a very positive note.

Pentecost Reds 5

[Scorers- Choo Jingzhong (3), Sheldon Liew & Samuel Eyo]

'Petrolwatch' Whites 4

PMC Soccer Team
1. Jeremy Tan 1. Kelvin Tham 2. Sheldon Liew 3.Tay Hong Yee 4. Kevin Ang 6. Maurice Lim 8. Jeremy Sin 11. Isaac Chia 12. John Chia 13. Samuel Eyo 14. Glenn See Toh 16. James Lee 17. Damien Chua 18. Raymond Chang 20. Michael Chua 23. Jimmy Phuah 23. Rusdy 24. Timothy Loke 25.Choo Jingzhong 25. Joel Tan 26.Peh Choon Heng 27. Daniel Low 34. David Teong