Before play got underway, the BESS team led us in a time of Singspiration and Sharing, with the old favourite of Amazing Grace sung, and also a testimony by one of their players. Following S&S, the teams had a couple of minutes for team talk and then the pre-match checks by the referee. The PMC team lined up like this:
Martin
Jingzhong - Timothy - Rusydi
Isaiah - Dominic
Damien - Kevin - Daniel Low
Weijie
Maurice
The PMC team during Singspiration
The history-making PMC team
The match started with BESS pretty much in the driver's seat, boasting fast, young players intent on moving the ball quickly to their lone forward, a nimble chap who pulled the PMC defence apart everytime he had the ball. There was little time for PMC to settle into the match as wave after wave of attacks ensued, needing some last ditch clearances from all of PMC's back four. When PMC had the ball, they resorted to some fruitless long punts up the field for Martin and Timothy to chase, but possession turned over quite quickly. With PMC on the back foot, it didn't take long for BESS to score the first goal of the game. BESS' forward outpaced the PMC defence and made no mistake, placing the ball neatly past the onrushing Maurice when he was put through with a nice pass. With BESS being up 1-0 so early in the match, things didn't look good for PMC. Contrary to expectations however, BESS chose to sit on its slim lead and took their foot off the pedal. Furthermore, BESS' forward picked up a yellow card for not backing off the full 10 yards when Daniel took a quick free-kick. This triggered reduced movement and incisiveness from him, giving PMC time to use the ball better and string a number of neat passes to bring the ball up the field. Seeing more of the ball, a number of free kicks, throw-ins and corners were won and the BESS GK was called upon to make a couple of clearances and saves. However, from a direct free kick just outside the 18-yard box, the BESS GK could do nothing as Daniel curled a beauty above the wall and into the top of the net, pulling PMC back into the match. With spirits raised, the momentum swung in favour of PMC, with more craft and intent but no goals to show for as the 45-minute half ended.
The PMC half-time team talk focused the players on wanting the win more and understanding better the need to play a higher line in order to reduce the space between defence and midfield. The only change made was Jeremy Sin coming on in place of Kevin, who injured his ankle mid-way through the 1st half. Jeremy slotted into midfield next to Isaiah with Dominic taking the stopper's role.
The 2nd half begun where the 1st ended, with PMC pressing for the goal. BESS somehow, seemed bereft of ideas to penetrate PMC's defence and seemed very mindful that they only had 2 substitutes for the entire match. It was thus PMC that took the early lead in the 55th minute, again from a set piece. Daniel's throw into the box was flicked on by Martin to the far post where Isaiah was lurking to head home his 2nd goal of CRC2012. With the lead in the match, PMC attempted to control the pace of the game and keep possession of the ball to the best of their ability. Perhaps the mantra of a certain Luis Felipe Scolari had finally sunk in: "when we have the ball, our opponents cannot score". PMC tried to hold true to this by making its 2nd substitution in the 65th minute, with Kee Min coming on for Timothy, with instructions to win the ball from high up the pitch. Within 5 minutes, Lincoln came on for Rusydi and Daniel Chen on for Damien. With the 3 substitutions, the PMC took a while to solidify its shape again. BESS attempted to take advantage of any gaps by now launching long balls to pressure the defence, and these were mostly cleared by the defenders, or Maurice. However, as the match approached its 80th minute, PMC was sucker punched. A BESS corner started a chain of events which saw the ball cleared to almost the halfway line. From there, a BESS midfielder lofted a high looping cross which deceived everyone, including Maurice (with the sun in his face) and ended up in the back of the net. The momentum of the match had again changed hands and was now in favour of BESS, who pressed for the winner with 10 minutes of regulation time remaining. PMC defended bravely, even though players were visibly tiring. With 5 minutes of the match to go, an innocuous incident led to Weijie being shown a red card by the referee as he was about to take a goal kick. Even the BESS players were surprised with the referee's decision as PMC was reduced to 10 men, and Jeremy dropping deeper to take on defensive duties. [The referee explained later that it was because Weijie had directed a verbal vulgarity and gesture at a BESS player as he was about to take the goal kick.] PMC defended for its life as almost all of possession was at BESS' feet for the remainder of the match. The PMC players were slightly relieved when the referee blew for full-time at 2-2, but knew that 30 minutes of extra time would bring a new set of challenges, including a possible penalty shoot-out.
2nd half match action
Daniel taking one of his many throw-ins
The pre-extra time team talk focused on 3 things - playing tactically, letting the ball do the work and believing that the team could still pull this off despite being 1 man short on the field. Some tactical changes were also made, with the tiring Isaiah retreating as stopper, thereby releasing Dominic into midfield. There was hardly any time to breathe as the referee signaled for players to return to the pitch. Within minutes of re-start, Martin and Jingzhong both appeared to need substitutions but were encouraged to press on. The soak-and-strike philosophy was clearly in force and this worked to good effect. Mid-way through the 1st period of extra time, Jingzhong cramped up and was replaced by Yi Jun, with instructions to run at the tiring BESS defence as much as he could at every opportunity. However, his most telling contribution was to stop the ball on the goal line during a BESS attack and this was surely worth more than all his previous 3 goals. With the score still at 2-2 after 15 minutes, the referee blew for half-time and players changed sides with only a minute break.
The 2nd half of extra time was more even, with BESS players clearly fatigued and not able to push too much. PMC players were content to hold back as well, with only the fresh legs of Yi Jun, Lincoln and amazingly Dominic, carrying the ball forward when opportunities arose. In the final 5 minutes, PMC gave a push to prevent a penalty shoot-out, but a couple of corners and free kicks in good positions were to no avail, with either the BESS defence clearing or the GK punching the ball out to safety. As the referee blew for the end of extra time, the PMC team knew that they had fought hard to stay alive in the match after playing 35 minutes with 10 men.
Isaiah taking a free-kick deep into extra time
All players gathered in the centre circle as the Team Managers trudged onto the pitch to relay the order of penalty takers to the team. For PMC, it was going to be Isaiah, Martin, Dominic, Daniel Chen and Daniel Low who would have the heavy responsibility of carrying PMC's Semi-final hopes. As the kickers and Maurice psyched themselves up, the referee brought the action to the penalty box.
PMC won the toss and Isaiah stepped up to the penalty spot first. Having not missed a penalty all season, Isaiah somehow skied his shot above the bar (ala Roberto Baggio in 1994), allowing BESS to hold the early advantage in the shoot-out. This was confirmed when BESS' first kicker gave Maurice no chance to put BESS 1-0 up. Next up for PMC was Martin, who at 48-years-old had already bellied his years by soldiering on for the full 120 minutes. With years of experience behind him, Martin coolly placed the ball beyond the reach of the BESS GK to make it 1-1. Maurice stepped between the posts knowing that he needed to make a save in order for PMC to win it and indeed, his left-hand post came to PMC's rescue when the BESS' kicker planted his kick firmly against it. It was all square at 1-1 with 3 kicks remaining for each team. PMC's 3rd kicker Dominic stepped up to the spot and made no mistake with a firm shot in the corner. The BESS GK had guessed correctly but could do nothing to keep the shot out. Maurice stepped up between the posts again and this time, pulled off a save with his feet when the BESS' kicker's shot was firm but not wide enough. The PMC players seemed energised knowing that they were now 2-1 up with only 2 more kicks to go for each team. PMC's 4th kicker was the elder statesman of the team, 50-year-old Daniel Chen. He clearly showed his experience when he tricked the BESS GK into diving one way, as he calmly placed the ball in the other direction. PMC was 3-1 up and could wrap the match up with either a save by Maurice or a conversion by Daniel Low. It was all tension as BESS' 4th kicker stepped up to take his shot. His intent was to beat Maurice with pace but as his bullet of a kick came back off the bar, all PMC players rejoiced as they won the shoot-out 3-1 and progressed to the Semi-finals of CRC2012.
It was hugs and handshakes all around the PMC bench as players of both teams congregated at the centre circle for the show of sportsmanship. It would have been tough for either team to lose such a close match, and credit has to be given to BESS for their graciousness in defeat.
It was almost 6pm as the PMC team gathered for their team talk to close the match. Everyone was full of praise for the tremendous effort, spirit and team work that was witnessed. The experience gave everyone belief that PMC could even take the next important step towards an appearance in the Finals. Kevin closed in prayer, thanking God for the victory and seeking his healing for those who had picked up injuries.
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