It was really hot as 3pm approached and as the PMC players made their way to Pasir Ris Secondary School. This was to be the final warm-up game for the start of AC11 (Agape Cup 2011) and a strong 18-player squad was selected based on the players available. Also arriving that afternoon was the new kit by Thorb, sponsored by Boston Pizza Company.
Jingzhong, Lincoln and Marcus modelling the new kit
The view from the rear
The 18-player squad before kick-off
Samuel, Yuen Wai ('Mr Boston Pizza') and David
Before kick-off, Jeremy led players from both teams in a time of devotion, focusing on managing setbacks in life. The refereee than called the starters from both teams onto the field for kick-off. PMC started with a young line-up, hoping to capitalise on speed for a good start. The 4-1-4-1 formation was employed:
Michael
Daniel - Weijie - Jeremy - Marcus
Dominic
Jacob - Kee Min - Kevin Liam - Jingzhong
Steve
PMC definitely started brighter of the 2 teams and within 5 mins, could have been 2-0. With lots of wingplay and fast ball movement to Steve, chances were aplenty. On the 1st occasion, Jacob's good play down the right found Steve unmarked in the box, but after some good close control, he fired the ball high with his left foot. Shortly after, Steve found himself in a good position outside the box, but his left foot shot was narrowly wide. When the CMC GK was finally beaten, his bar/post saved him. This took place at least twice, once from a curler by Yi Jun. Knowing that they were on the back foot, CMC tried to trouble PMC with long balls, but there were easily dealt with by the very solid back four, giving Michael the simplest task of collecting stray passes. The 1st half was clearly dominated by PMC, but the team had nothing to show for it on the scoresheet as the half ended.
Players waiting to capitalize on a corner
Jacob swings in the corner
Daniel prepares to make the free-kick count
Midfield action!
The 2nd half started with some changes. CMC's players who came late were clearly the stronger lot and were fielded immediately. PMC also made some changes, hoping to inject more attacking verve, with Rusydi and Yi Jun coming on. The initial stages of the 2nd half again belonged the PMC, with hard running by Dominic and Kee Min to supply Yi Jun with something. On a move from the left, Kevin thought his moment of glory had arrived after he controlled a throw-in and fired in a piledriver, by the CMC GK was able to parry it wide. Soon however, PMC's much-deserved goal finally arrived, albeit through fortunate circumstances. An innocuous high ball was fumbled by the CMC GK and Yi Jun was there to poke it into an empty net.
The goal galvanised to PMC team to search for more goals and there were a few more chances but again, the bar saved CMC, once from a glorious looping header by Marcus. CMC, for all their effort, were restricted mostly to long shots which either went wide or long. However, their moment to turn the match around came when a through ball found its way to their 'Chilli Padi' striker in the penalty box. Marcus stuck out his leg to get the ball, but took the player out instead. The referee instantly pointed to the penalty spot. CMC's Jansen (more affectionately know to us as 'Botak') made no mistake to bring the score to 1-1. CMC sensed that the tide had turned in their favour and launched attack after attack. The PMC players scrambled to keep the shape and clear the danger repeatedly. It was also during these final moments of the match, that things got slightly tasty, with some physical play that the referee had to stop the match to settle. None of these served to change the scoreline and the match ended at 1-1. Mark Chan (from CMC) gathered the players around the shed and closed in prayer.
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