PMC kicked off its CRC2014 season on a very hot and dry day at Macpherson Secondary School. The ground was certainly parched, with very little grass and lots of sand. Nonetheless, the PMC team was determined to start their season positively, after having gone through the entire pre-season winless. Commitment of the players has been a strength of the team this season and a full squad of 18 players showed up, with 2 others needing to step down for the opener.
Kevin led both teams in Singspiration and Sharing, touching on the need to trust God when all human understanding fails. Using the example of the mysterious disappearance of MH370, Kevin encouraged all the players to give God to opportunity to speak to them when they may not understand what is going on in the world, or struggle with why bad things happen to good people, even though Ecclesiastes 3 details that there is a time for everything, both good and bad. Kevin committed both teams in prayer and for the season ahead.
The PMC team lined up in the following manner for kick-off:
Yi Jun
Jingzhong - Kee Min - Rusydi
Kevin - Jeremy Sin
Damien - Weijie - Jacob - Samuel
David Lim
Although winless during the pre-season, the matches had built both character and understanding amongst the PMC players and this clearly showed in the early exchanges when PMC dominated proceedings, winning a number of free kicks and corners early in the match. From open play, both Kee Min and Jingzhong had chances, with Kee Min's shot curled just over the bar and Jingzhong drawing a save from the BESS GK. All these were encouraging to the PMC team, and even when BESS did threaten down the wings, the defensive quartet held firm to clear the danger. Mid-way through the first half, some frustration had set in for PMC as the numerous chances were not taken well, leaving the match scoreless. And this was when BESS punished PMC for the slight drop in concentration. From a throw-in in PMC's defensive third, the ball was allowed to bounce 3 times until Jacob's attempted clearance was only to the edge of the box, where a BESS player was able to out manoeuvre 2 defenders and shot through the outstretched arm of David Lim in goal. From their first shot on target in the match, BESS led 1-0. Not discouraged, PMC continued to play well and crafted out more chances and set-pieces, but none of these were taken. The 2nd sucker punch came when the ball was lost by PMC in midfield, leading to a swift BESS counter-attack. The ball was swung over the defenders, to the far post where a BESS player was waiting and his first time shot was hard and accurate enough to put BESS 2-0 up from only their 2nd shot on target. BESS' clinical finishing was in stark contrast to PMC's, who having had the lion's share of possession, was actually 2-0 down going into the halftime break.
The PMC team huddled tightly for the halftime team talk to get matters sorted out. Kevin encouraged everyone that PMC was not playing badly, but had not taken its chances and allowed 2 defensive lapses to cost the team dearly. 2 changes were made at the half, with Sheldon coming on to replace Kevin and Isaac coming on for Yi Jun, with Jingzhong moving into the main CF role. The team was encouraged to continue plugging away and to support one another on the pitch.
The 2nd half started mostly in the same way as the 1st, with PMC gaining a foothold in the match. BESS, being 2-0 up, was happy to sit back and soak, while attempting to score again on the break. Without any breakthrough, more substitutions were made for PMC after 10min, with Daniel Low replacing Samuel and Lincoln replacing Jeremy Sin, with Kee Min moving to DM. The fresh legs did bring a couple more chances for PMC, but again, poor final balls and finishing let PMC down. With 20min to go, the final PMC substitutions took place with David Sng replacing Damien and Felix replacing Kee Min, with Felix and Jacob swapping positions, allowing Jacob to push up. This immediately reaped a reward, when Weijie's free kick evaded the defence for both Jacob and Jingzhong to break the BESS offside trap, allowing Jingzhong to place the ball beyond the GK to make it 2-1. Bringing back the ball for kick-off immediately, PMC spent the final 10min pressing for the equaliser. The Jacob-Jingzhong combination almost worked wonders again when a one-two allowed Jingzhong to face the GK one-on-one. Unfortunately Jingzhong's scuffed shot was easily gathered by the GK. The full-time whistle blew without another goal. Even though PMC had continued its winless streak, the loss was not one that left a bad taste in the mouth of the players as everyone gave 100% when they were on the pitch and played positively. With 7 matches to go, PMC hopes the end of the season will be far sweeter than the 1st match.
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