Friendly match report [30th Jan]

The preparation for this year's Agape Cup got underway with the 1st friendly where the PMC Soccer Team was split into the 2 teams representing the church in the Agape Cup. This year, the leadership has decided to go with age-based teams, with the GALACTICOS (30 years-old and under) and OLDIES (30 years-old and above). As the sun beat down in the early afternoon, more than 30 players from both teams gathered at Pasir Ris Crest Secondary for the friendly.

Yuen Wai opened the session with a time of devotion. Using a story of how sometimes we believe that something exists even though we do not see it, have not touched it, or smell it (e.g. brain), Yuen Wai encouraged all of us to have faith and spend moments of quiet reflection to build or relationship with God and to know Him.

Following devotion, both teams had a quick team-talk and prepared for kick-off. Our ever-dependable referee Kevin Koo took charge of the gun and summoned players to take their positions on the field. The start of the match immediately displayed the contrast of styles in play. The Galacticos combined quick movement with fast passing and immediately put the Oldies under pressure. Being unable to hold on to the ball in the final third and having gaps in midfield due to the very adventurous 4-3-3 formation, the Oldies were on the back foot for most of the half. It was left to good rear guard action from Andy Chua, Yuen Wai, Adrian and James to keep the Galacticos at bay. When they were beated, GK Kelvin showed that he still has the goods, even as he enters his 50th year in 2010. The Galacticos continued to pile on the pressure as the match wore on, with Lincoln, Rusydi and Yi Jun trying to break down the defence. On 1 occasion, Yi Jun had an empty goal in front of him, but played the ball out to touch instead. It was unfortunate that Darren felt the full force of an Adrian tackle and had to be substituted mid-way through the 1st half, with Joel coming on. Both teams also took the opportunity to bring on fresh legs - The Oldies in Andy Mason and David Sng, along with change to a 4-2-2 formation and the Galacticos bringing on midfield enforcer Kee Min. This immediately paid dividends for both teams as play was more controlled. 2 good chances fell to James, first a shot from outside the box and then a header from a corner. The Galacticos continued to string good moves down the left with Jingzhong while the Oldies tried various routes, but none bore fruit. It was only in the last 5 mins that the breakthrough for the Galacticos arrived. A surge into the box by Lincoln took him pass Adrian and his stiff shot, although parried by Kelvin, found its way into the back of the net. It was 1 - 0 to the Galacticos at half-time.

Half time was welcomed by everyone and the team talks definitely helped judging by the start of the 2nd half. The Galacticos appeared to have a good idea of how they wanted to break the Oldies' defence, but were caught offside too many times or played long balls into touch. Defensively however, both Marcus and Jeremy were doing well, keeping the clean sheet and allowing Felipe without any shots to save. However, this quickly changed when a lofted down by Andy Chua down the right sent Andy Mason away. Controlling the ball in the box, he responded to Ramon's call for a lay-off. The lay-off found its way to Ramon, who made sure of the goal, blasting the ball with his left foot into the back of the net. It was game-on with the score at 1 - 1. The Oldies took this opportunity to press for a lead. Defending corners, the Galacticos opted for a zonal-marking system, but this let them down mid-way in the 2nd half. A floated corner from David Sng beat everyone in the box, leaving Andy Mason to head into an empty net. The Oldies had come from a goal down to take a 2 - 1 lead! This galvanised the Galacticos, who pressed hard for an equaliser. Bringing debutant Kevin Liam on in midfield gave some spark as he tried to control the ball and play through passes, but the forwards constantly were caught offside. It was only in the dying minutes that some poor defending by the Oldies during a corner allowed Jeremy to rise above Justin to head (or was it body?) the ball into the net through a very crowded box. The Galacticos had showed character and resolve to come back for the equaliser. Both teams tried to go for the winner, but to no avail.

It was a good 1st friendly for both teams, with lots of learning points both on and off the field. The good turn-out was encouraging and hopefully everyone had a good run-out. Some who didn't get enough stayed on for the next match when a team was lacking players. Hope they had fun too!