Before the match started, Maurice led the Soccer Team in devotion. His sharing focused on the issue of pride, and how as players, we should look at ourselves humbly and also not to look down on our fellow players as we all belong to the same team, and can contribute in unique ways to its overall development.
The game started at a fast pace, with the Under-23s looking to capitalize on their fitness and pace to penetrate the opposition defence. Chances were nevertheless few and far between until Choon Heng broke the deadlock. A free kick lifted into the box from over 25 metres out seemed harmless; but the Above-23s’ defence allowed the ball to bounce and Choon Heng took the advantage by heading the ball past a stunned Michael.
The onus was on the Above-23s to search for the equalizer now and in doing so, they had to commit more men forward. This opened up their defence to swift counter-attacks from the Under-23s. However, more drama was to unfold when Kee Min was brought down inside the Above-23s’ box after a surging run from midfield. The resulting penalty was fired over by Jingzhong, a surprising outcome which undoubtedly galvanized the Above-23s.
Despite the miss, the Under-23s rallied together and another one of their counter-attacks yielded a goal. This time, Rusydi sprang the Above-23s’ offside trap and raced onto a through-ball from Sheldon. His cutback at the byline found Jingzhong, who was left with a simple tap in.
The game wore on with close chances created on both sides after a combination of nervy defending and attacking genius. Ronnie had combined excellently with Adrian on the Above-23s’ left flank to deliver good crosses into the box which were not finished by the Red strikers. Nevertheless, the score remained 2-0 to the Under-23s at half-time.
The second half started with the Under-23s looking to extend their lead over the Above-23s. Darren came on for Bevan in a striker-for-midfielder swap, the intention obvious. The Under-23s tried to pass the ball around the back and create chances. However, they found the Above-23s vastly improved after making a few changes of their own.
As the second half progressed, the Above-23s gradually took control of the game through their careful passing. The loss of a man in midfield for the Under-23s was also starting to tell as more balls found their way through to the Above-23 strikers. The Above-23s’ breakthrough came from a corner. The Under-23s’ culpability in the air was dreadfully exposed when Andy rose unchallenged at the far post to head home the first goal.
This seemed to shake the Under-23s from their sleep and they pressed forward in an attempt to grab the lead. Their efforts paid off when Michael spilled his catch from a corner. The goalmouth melee that ensued resulted in Kee Min poking the ball into the net from inside the 6-yard box.
The game was then lit up by two pieces of individual skill worthy of special mention. Choon Heng, pulling on a Red shirt in an emergency substitute role, responded magnificently with a solo effort ending in a blistering shot from an impossible angle that left the entire Under-23s defence shell-shocked. Damien soon restored the Under-23s’ two-goal lead with a superb left-footed volley from outside the box. This after coming close with a piledriver from 25 yards that whistled over Michael bar.
Fatigue began to wear the Under-23s’ midfield thin and the Above-23s took advantage, carving out scoring chances which took last-minute interventions from Jeremy Tan, Jeremy Sin and Isaac. Michael also pulled off good saves at his end from a few Under-23 attacks: the pick of them, showcasing his positional awareness, from a near-post header from Jingzhong after a flowing move from the Under-23s.
Nevertheless, it was the Above-23s who had the last say as John headed home unmarked at the near post after the Under-23s’ culpability at defending corners was exposed again. The Above-23s searched for a final goal in the dying minutes but none materialized and the match ended 4-3 to the Under-23s. Final score-
Under-23s 4
[Scorers- Choon Heng, Jingzhong, Kee Min & Damien]
Above-23s 3
[Scorers- Andy, Choon Heng & John]
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