Soccer Fellowship Report [11th Apr]

Saturday’s game had a late kickoff due to some technical problems (the absence of a soccerball) from the management staffs of the home team and was only resolved ard 30 minutes later. The Red Panthers turned down the friendly against the Blue Pandas in due of their opening match of the Agape Cup on Sunday, though afew still turn up to have a kickabout. Boosted by last week's win over the Red Panthers, the Blue Pandas took this opportunity to gel and play more cohesively together against a mixed team of ‘others’. A few key Pandas were missing from the starting lineup in particular Gk Michael Chua, so the gaffer has no choice but to recall Marcus in the goal. A total of 26 players took to the pitch, making the centre of the pitch abit crowded. John open the session with a devotion on ‘Good Friday’ and God’s greatest love for us in sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins before kickoff.

The Pandas kickoff the match in amazingly cool weather, with the opening few minutes a fluffy of unsuccessful passes in the crowded midfield. The ‘others’ were first to score when speedy left winger Theodore’s cross from the left bubbled through the sea of players in the penalty box and probabaly with the slightest of deflection, went beyond Marcus’s reach into the bottom right corner. The Blues then press on for the equaliser but were pegged back once again, this time by a set piece. A corner was delivered accurately into the six yard box and met by a powerful header by another of ‘others’ player who was failed to be picked out by any of the Blue players. Just before half-time, forward Jingzhong gave the Pandas a much needed lift as he outpaced his marker on the left flank and cooly slot it in the bottom right corner.

Many changes were made at halftime: The Pandas changing another ‘loan gk’ Jeremy Tan back into his natural position with Marcus now outfield and captain Jeremy Sin reverted back to his centreback position after an early withdrawal from Adrian. Kee Min also withdrawl from the ‘others’ after taking afew knocks, and the pitch now looked less crowded in a more playable condition. One has to wonder what the gaffer delivered in his halftime teamtalk as the Pandas started the 2nd half with more authority and launch many quick long balls to the strikers. The 'others' did not deal quite well with this new approach and an equaliser soon came when David Sng shake off his marker to run into the box and head home a cross from the right. The ‘others’ tried to get the winning goal but any threat was comfortably dealt with by the defence who choose to sit deeper this time. Afew high clearance of the ball past the walls of Anfield stadium causes quite a delay before the Blues kick in their sucker punch. Marcus taking on the right back, turn him insideout before sprinting through and smashing it past the helpless goalie. Afew more unsuccessful passes by both teams brought the final whistle by referee Mike Riley.

A great comeback by the home team, but the performance is still considered largely below par by the never-smiling gaffer and much is still to be improved of the Pandas, especially in the midfield departments. Kudos to the Panthers who came down and played for and against the Pandas.

Pandas starting lineup: Marcus(gk), Nigel(rb), Adrian(cb), Daniel(cb), loan player(lb), Jeremy Sin(dm), Bangshi(dm), David Sng(cm), Jingzhong(lm), Jeremy Tan(amc), Ryusdi(amc), John(rm), Darren(st), Damien Chee(st).