Friendly Match Report: PMC vs BNP Paribas (31st May)

The PMC Soccer Team took the opportunity of a 5th Saturday to host BNP Paribas to a friendly match at Hai Sing Catholic School. BNP Paribas takes part in the Financial Institutions League and looked to provide some stiff competition in helping PMC prepare for their next CRC match. Certainly upon arriving at Hai Sing, it was clear that BNP was largely made up of foreign talent, with some huge caucasian players. Nonetheless, the order of the day was to focus on playing to the best of our ability and pass the ball around as much as possible. With a number of players injured, it was also a good opportunity to give some of our potential players a run-out, with Jinwei, Luke and Ryan joining us in this regard.

The starting line-up was as follows:

Jeremy Tan

Isaac - Kevin - Lincoln

Kee Min - Timothy

Daniel Chen - Weijie - Jacob - Daniel Low

Michael

The match started at quite a furious pace, with BNP controlling the ball well and launching attacks via the wings. PMC was happy to 'soak and strike', as it had done well against FMC earlier in the season. Although possession of the ball was in favour of BNP, chances of goal were quite even, with Jeremy Tan and Isaac both having half chances in the course of the first half. The deadlock was only broken when BNP took advantage of a free kick to launch a high ball into the box, where their 6-foot-4-inch midfielder leapt the highest to nod the ball into the net. At 1-0, BNP was happy to play keep ball under hot conditions and held their lead till half time.

Not playing badly at all, the encouragement was for PMC to continue doing what they do best to get back into the match. However, before the comeback ensued, PMC fell behind by another goal, through almost identical circumstances. This time, it was a corner that was played into the middle of the 18-yard-box where the same 6-foot-4-inch midfielder headed the ball into the net, despite Jacob already putting his body on his opponent. Being 2-0 down did not deter PMC, which made a great comeback with BNP fading under the heat. PMC's first goal came in through sheer determination, when the ball was 'pinballed' on the edge of the box, and Joel supplying the final pass to Jinwei, who finished neatly. PMC's equalising goal then saw Jinwei being the provider, weaving down the left wing and threading a nice low cross into the box for Jeremy Tan to chip neatly over the GK. At 2-2, it was all to play for. In PMC's great desire to press for the winning goal, a big gap had formed between defence and midfield. With 5min to go, BNP was able to exploit that gap, allowing their midfielder to run into the space and fire a stiff shot into goal for the winner.

Despite the loss, valuable lessons were learnt in the defending of set pieces and coming from behind. It was certainly a worthwhile experience for all who turned up.