Friendly Match vs TCPC Report (24th February)

The Soccer Team stepped up their preparations for this year's CrossRoad Cup by taking on Toong Chai Presbyterian Church in their 2nd friendly match of the year. Knowing that there would be fewer friendlies this year as compared to 2012, 19 players turned up to get some match practice. The focus was clearly on trying out a few players in new positions, and also to firm up key player combinations on the field.

The starting 11 line-up in the following fashion:

Yi Jun

Jingzhong - Timothy - Jacob

Kee Min - Jeremy Sin

Daniel Chen - Weijie - Daniel Low

Steve

David Lim

The match started off positively for PMC, with the players stringing some decent passes and making forays down the wings of the opposition team. However, the final ball was usually over or under played, preventing any serious threat to be posed on the TCPC goal. While sustaining pressure, PMC was caught in possession a number of times. Firstly, while holding the ball as last man, Weijie was robbed by the TCPC forward, but David Lim rescued the situation by rushing out quickly to narrow the angle for the TCPC forward to shoot wide. However, the second opportunity that came TCPC's way was well converted. A quick counter-attack and long ball split the PMC defence open, and with Steve trailing back to tackle, and David Lim rushing out quickly to meet the ball, the TCPC forward calmly clipped the ball into an open net to put TCPC up 1-0. On the 20 minute mark, Rusydi replaced Yi Jun for PMC's 1st of many substitutions. His introduction did produce more positive drive but again, chances were few and far between although possession was decent. It was thus a kick in the teeth for PMC when another TCPC counter-attack cost PMC dearly. A half-cleared ball was chased down by a TCPC player near the edge of the PMC penalty box. In his haste to tackle, Weijie took the TCPC player down instead, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. David Lim guessed right, but had no chance to save as the TCPC kicker planted a firm one into the corner. It wasn't looking good with PMC being 2-0 down within 25 minutes but some doggedness allowed PMC to claw its way back into the match. Tried as they did, there was no route to goal from open play, so it took a corner delivered sweetly by Rusydi to Jingzhong, who guided it into the top corner of the TCPC goal, within the minutes of half time. Trailing only by 1 goal gave PMC a good chance to stage a comeback in the 2nd half.

 1st half action at East View Secondary School

PMC started the 2nd half positively, and controlled the ball well. The defensive midfield duo of Jeremy Sin and Kee Min started to partner well, chasing balls and making passes for counter-attacks. Steve and Weijie were also more assured at the back, leaving little for 2nd half GK Michael to do in the initial minutes. Up front, Lincoln, Rusydi, Jingzhong and Timothy combined well to threaten the TCPC goal on many occasions, with only some wayward shooting delaying the equalizer. This eventually came when Lincoln started a good move on the right wing. Playing a neat pass into Rusydi in the box, Rusydi's deft footwork fooled the defender and GK as his low shot was drilled into the net. At 2-2 with 30min left to play, PMC was supremely confident that the comeback would be completed with a victory. However, try as they did, none of the attacking moves resulted in a goal, with the bar saving TCPC on 1 occasion. In fairness, although TCPC did not threaten PMC's goal further, it had 1 shot which came back off the post, leaving Michael to breathe a sigh of relief. A 2-2 draw was probably a fair result and Kevin closed the team in prayer at the end of the match, thanking God for a good run-out for everyone and keeping the team injury-free.

The PMC Team that took on TCPC