PMC players gather for the pre-match team talk
Following the Singspiration and Sharing, Maurice announced the following line-up to take the field against NCC:
Steve
Jingzhong - Isaiah - Rusydi
Kee Min - Jeremy Sin
Kevin - Jacob - Daniel Low
Mark
David Lim
The PMC team started off rather on the back foot, when an NCC through ball (obviously overplayed) was misjudged by Kevin. His innocuous kick to clear the ball slightly brushed the onrushing NCC player and caused the referee to award a freekick to NCC very early in the game. This would be just one of many bizarre decisions that the referee made during the course of the match that would bewilder both sets of players. NCC was unable to capitalise on this early set-piece and continued to press with some through balls to their pacy wingers/forwards. On the part of PMC, Jeremy Sin and Kee Min bossed the middle of the park and on more than one occasion, played Rusydi in on the wing to provide a dangerous cross or two. relatively well. PMC's best chance of the 1st half fell to Steve, who sprung the offside trap from a freekick, but he blasted the ball over with just the GK to beat. NCC's chances came largely from set-pieces which they did not convert, thanks to the defensive quartet led by Mark and Jacob in the middle. David was also having an excellent game in goal, claiming crosses and through balls confidently. Perhaps more notable than the soccer in the first half were the constant badgering of the referee by players and physical tussles all over the pitch. The half-time whistle blew with both teams locked at 0-0.
Jacob about to clear the ball as an NCC comes in with a studs-in challenge
David taking one of the many goal kicks
The half-time team talk focused on keeping up the tenacity and high work rate of the players, and allow the game to open up over time. Better play in the final third would also increase the chances of taking 3 points from the match. The same line-up returned to the field, with the exception of Steve who had to leave for another engagement. Justin replaced him as the CF. PMC started the 2nd half brightly, again with Jeremy Sin and Kee Min keeping and winning possession in the middle of the park. However, chances were few and far between with the exception of a wicked cross from the right by Rusydi, which evaded both the GK and defenders. Unfortunately, there was no one in the box to finish it. NCC continued to probe by playing neat balls on the edge of the box, before trying to find a 'killer pass'. Most attempts were unsuccessful until a good move down their left drew Jeremy Sin away from the middle, allowing their attackers to play a neat pass to their forward, who rolled Mark and left him with just David to beat, which he did. It was quite a sucker punch for PMC as NCC hardly had a shot on target before that. Until then, Mark and Jacob had been solid in the middle. Within minutes of the re-start, Mark pulled up with a calf injury, and was replaced by Daniel Chen who came in at LB, with Kevin taking Mark's place as SW. Playing a much higher line, PMC pressed for the equaliser and caught the NCC players offside on more than one occasion as they attempted to counter-attack. PMC could not find another gear in their play to grab the equaliser and despite trying hard to press for the goal, was unable to get one. The match ended with NCC victorious, and PMC starting the season with a loss.
The post-match team talk allowed numerous views to be aired, mostly focusing on how to work on creating more chances in the final third, and playing with more hunger. Although the result was disappointing, the team had put in a very decent performance. Maurice closed in prayer.
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