CRC2012 Match #5: PMC vs CBC (5th August)

It was another scorching Sunday afternoon as the PMC team gathered at Coral Secondary School for the crucial match of its CRC2012 campaign. Knowing that only a win would do to keep its hope of qualifying for the knock-out stages, the players turned up at the school early, even before the field wardens arrived to open the gate. Players from both sides arrived ahead of time, and warmed up on the nice Coral Secondary synthetic turf. When it was time for Singspiration and Sharing, Kevin led players in 2 songs and shared about how the example of Olympic athletes could help us reflect on what we value in life, based on how much time/effort we spend on these things.

PMC players warming up on the very nice Coral Secondary turf

Rusydi kitting up on the nice soft turf

The teams took a couple of minutes for their team talks. The PMC team was urged to focus on their game and go for the goals, despite having 5 players missing from the previous week's team. Still, the team was strong enough to compete and do well. The starting 11 for the match was:

Martin

Jingzhong - Timothy - Rusydi

Isaiah - Jacob

Kevin - Mark - Daniel Low

Weijie 

Sean

After the pre-match proceedings, referee Ruslee got the starting 11s for the kit checks and blew his whistle, with PMC kicking off in the 1st half. PMC's desire to win was evident from kickoff, with Timothy almost scoring from the first wave of attack. Taking the ball slightly to the left edge of the 18-yard-box, Timothy swiveled and curled a left foot shot, only to see it come back against the bar. Not discouraged, Timothy continued to be an attacking threat, taking the ball strong into the box in his next move, only to be brought down hard and winning PMC a penalty. Martin stepped up to the spot, but fired his shot wide of the GK's right-hand post, when everyone expected PMC to be 1-0. With nothing to show for wave after wave of attack in CBC's half, PMC players continued to encourage one another to not let their heads drop. The breakthrough finally came around the 15th minute when a long ball from Isaiah found Martin in the box. Holding off his defender well, he controlled the ball and placed it beyond the onrushing GK to put PMC 1-0 up. Not sitting on its lead, PMC continued to press on for more and the 2nd goal arrived via classic direct football. From the goalkick, Weijie played the ball to Kevin at LB, who found Jingzhong. Looking up, Jingzhong spotted Rusydi's run into the box and his right foot cross found Rusydi, who calmly controlled the ball and placed it into the corner of the goal. Being 2-0 down early in the game, CBC used a number of long balls and forays down the wing to threaten the PMC goal, but these were well cut out by Mark and Weijie. A scare did take place when Sean was about to meet a long grounder from CBC, but suddenly pulled up, clutching his ankle, as the ball rolled wide of the goal. Michael came on for Sean, who was unable to carry on. For most of the 1st half, PMC continued to threaten, but could not find the back of the net again, despite 2 clear-cut chances created by Timothy. Playing reverse passes to Jingzhong (now on the right flank), he was unable to finish with only the GK to beat on both occasions. As the referee blew the whistle for half-time, PMC knew that they should have been at least 5 goals up, but were content to be leading in the crucial match.

The half-time team talked focus on keeping composure in the 2nd half and to hold or extend the lead if possible. Kevin encouraged the team not to be discouraged even if they missed 'easy' goals but learn from the example of veterans like Martin, who continued to press for a goal, despite missing the penalty. The only change at half-time was Marcus coming on for Timothy. The players took the field with confidence, even though they knew that CBC would be pressing for the equalizer from the whistle. This expectation was realized as CBC took the game directly to PMC in the 2nd half, using the direct style of long balls and incursions down both flanks. For most part of the half, the PMC defensive foursome did well enough to hold the CBC attackers. Weijie in particular, was confident in his instructions and reading of the game. When Michael was called to be the final line of defense, he was up to the task. On offense, PMC did not offer much and was also not holding the ball well, prompting changes to be made, with Jacob leaving the pitch for Kee Min, then David coming on for Jingzhong. Match proceedings remained much the same, with CBC pressing hard for a goal, but to no avail. Rusydi then left the pitch for Lincoln, followed by Martin for Yi Jun, then Nigel for Kevin. With all changes made, PMC continued to defend stoutly and conceded only in the 75th minute of play. The CBC attacker on their right flank took the ball to the touchline and crossed it for a free man on the edge of the box, whose shot took a wicked deflection off Daniel and wrong-footed Michael. With less than 5min left of the game, CBC fought hard for the equalizer, with throw-ins and corners to pressure the PMC defence. It was a great relief to the PMC team when the referee blew for full-time, ensuring that PMC took home all 3 points.

During the post-match team talk, Kevin emphasized the good work done and that mission had been accomplished, despite the nervy final minutes of the match. Players then shared their views on how to improve 2nd half performances while balancing the introduction of bench players. Mark closed the session with prayer.

 

Rusydi sharing his thoughts during the post-match debrief

As results filtered in after the match, PMC still found itself in 5th place despite closing the gap to 1 point. With 2 more match days remaining, it appears that the top 5 teams have all to play for in order to secure the 4 spots available for the knock-out stages. 

CRC2012 Alpha Group League Standings (after Match Day #6)

Not so good news also came later that evening when Sean was diagnosed to have torn his Achilles Tendon, ruling him out for the rest of the season. The thoughts and prayers of the entire PMC Soccer Community will be with him as he recovers.