Friendly Match Report: PMC vs VFC (8th February)

The 'CNY-depleted' PMC team took on Victory Family Centre in a re-match of the final match of last season, when PMC triumphed 3-1 on a waterlogged pitch. 13 players turned up by kickoff, and another 2 joined in slightly later to make sure that PMC had enough players to firm up positions for the league starting in about a month's time. The team welcomed the return of Andy, and with Daniel Low out with a hamstring injury, Andy went straight into the starting line-up at RB. Samuel opened the session in prayer after Kevin briefed the players, starting the team as follows:

David Sng

Jingzhong - Rusydi - Lincoln

Kee Min - Samuel 

Kevin - Timothy - Andy

Weijie

Michael

The match kicked off with the worst possible start for PMC. From the first kick, VFC played a long ball to their striker on their right wing, who took the ball down and hit a first time cross-shot with no team mate in the box. Inexplicably, Michael misjudged the ball, allowing it to roll across him, and into the low corner of the net. Before any PMC could touch the ball, it was already 1-0 down. The PMC team composed itself and did well to work its way back into the match. Playing the ball on the bumpy ground to the feet, PMC was able to conjure up a half-chance or two. VFC's tactic was obviously different, playing long balls to the wings for its striker to chase, which mostly availed to nothing as Timothy and Weijie were able to clear the PMC lines effectively. PMC's main instigators in attack were Rusydi and Jingzhong, with Lincoln putting in a number of crosses and speculative efforts. The breakthrough came mid-way through the first half, when a glorious one-two move between Rusydi and Jingzhong allowed Jingzhong to beat the GK with a firm shot low into the net. At 1-1, it was game on for the rest of the half. After 30min, the first substitutions were made, with Jeremy Tan coming on for David Sng and Damien coming on for Kevin. PMC pressed to go ahead with more chances falling the way of Lincoln, Jeremy Tan and Lincoln, but none were converted. VFC threatened from set-pieces, having 2 clear-cut chances from corner kicks that found players wide open. PMC was unfortunately punished before half-time when a VFC through ball was played into the PMC box. Weijie approached it, but heard the call of Michael to leave it. However, before Michael could reach the ball, the nippy VFC striker got to the ball first and prodded it into the net. It was a cruel blow for PMC, who had the lion's share of attacking play, but found itself 2-1 down at the half. 

The half-time team talk focused on keeping composure and continuing to play well despite being unfortunately 2 goals down. The only half time change was Jacob coming on for Lincoln. At the start of the 2nd half, PMC was again the better team, stringing good passes and accounting for much of the attacking play. However, PMC found itself 3-1 down when a cross was punched backwards by Michael into the net. At that point, some frustration set into PMC's play but with encouragement to keep the shape, PMC started to play better again. At the 20th minute of the 2nd half, David Lim came on for Jeremy Tan and Kevin came on for Samuel. For almost all of the remaining time, PMC piled on the pressure with wave after wave of attack. VFC was left to soak up the pressure and only attack on the counter. The 2nd half break through came in fortunate circumstances. On one of the many attacks, a defender's clearance ricocheted off Kevin's face straight into Jingzhong's path, who fired in from close range. PMC went all out in the last 5min in search of an equaliser but to no avail. 

Even though the match was lost 3-2, the performance of the team was positive and continued to improve over the first 3 friendly games of the season. Everyone was encouraged to think about how they could better contribute in their various roles on the field. Timothy closed in prayer.