Friendly match vs HFC Report (14th August)

Saying it was a hot afternoon could have been perceived as an understatement. It was scorching. To top it off, the 'burning' from the 15th day of the 7th month of the Chinese calendar meant that the air was thick, making breathing difficult for some. Nonetheless, the enthusiastic players gathered at East View Secondary to take on Harvester Football Club (HFC), a side whom we have not taken points off during our past Agape Cup campaigns, losing 3-1 and 4-0 in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

By the time the very 'enthusiastic and professional' ref blew for the kick-off, only 13 of our players had turned up, and we lined-up in the following 4-4-2 formation, with Daniel captaining the side for the match:

Steve - Lincoln

Jingzhong - Kevin - Weijie - Jacob

Michael - Mark - Jeremy - Daniel

Sean

Play started very evenly, with both sides enjoying some possession. It was evident however, that there would be 2 contrasting styles of play for the day. PMC were trying to use some slick passing on the ground to play their forwards into space, resorting only to the long balls during set-pieces. HFC, on the other hand, used every opportunity they had to launch high balls to their giant #8, Sasi who would either control and run at goal, or knock the ball on for the speedy #9, Leong. This combination caused some headache for Mark and Jeremy in the centre of defence, but nothing much came out of it initially.

On PMC's part, some good running by Steve and Jacob resulted in pot shots on goal, but nothing much else. After 10min, Kee Min was ready to get some action and came on for Weijie. At about the 15min mark, Dominic arrived and took Lincoln's place at CF alongside Steve. This gave a bit more attacking thrust and bite but there were still no goals to show for either team. It really took a 'moment of madness' as some would call it for the first goal of the game to be scored. Michael was caught in possession at LB and although Jeremy managed to win the ball back on the edge of the box, he too delayed his clearance, allowing HFC's Leong to steal the ball and beat Sean in a one-on-one situation. The easy goal gave HFC the impetus to attack and they launched quite a number of long balls to Sasi, many of which were snuffed out by Mark and Jeremy. On the occasion that the ball broke through the defensive wall, Sean was there to clear the danger. As the half wore on, Lincoln came back on the field for Jacob, Weijie took Kevin's place in midfield and Nigel had a run-out at LB for Michael. The half ended with it being 1 - 0 to HFC.

Still smiling at half-time despite being 1 - 0 down

After a brief half-time team talk by Kevin, the players trotted back on field for the 2nd half. The emphasis was to communicate more and play the ball to feet, early. Damien had arrived to take the LB spot and the rest of the team was largely intact from the one that started the match. Again, there was nothing much in it in the 2nd half for either team. HFC's regular dangerman #10 Kannu had arrived on the pitch and threatened with some runs as well as 2 freekicks, but these did not trouble Sean.

For PMC, Jingzhong made a couple of long range attempts on goal which were easily caught by the GK. Kevin had a first time volley high and Steve had a couple of half chances. Jacob was doing tremendous work on the right, both on the offensive and defensive end, completely nullifying the left side of HFC. At the 20min mark, Weijie came on to replace Kevin and was immediately involved in the play that led to the equaliser. On a fast break, he played the ball from the left to Steve, who found space to run and shoot. His long-range looping shot caught the HFC GK completely off-guard, who could do nothing except watch it nestle into the top left-hand corner of his net. It was 1 - 1 and all to play for.

PMC really took the wind in their sails and pressed for the winner. This cavalier approach almost cost them when a goal bound effort from a corner beat Sean, but Mark was there to clear off the line. This missed opportunity cost HFC as from another swift move, Jacob played Steve in, who only had the GK to beat. His shot was parried, but it fell nicely to Weijie, who made no mistake from 10 yards despite having a HFC player on the line. It was 2-1 and despite some late pressure from HFC, PMC held on for a 1st time victory over them.

Kevin closed the match with a team talk, commending everyone for their determination and also highlighting the need for more composure, as there were still occasions of unnecessary words with the referee and playing the ball when the referee had already whistled to stop play.

For HFC's version of the match, read here.