CRC2014 Match Report #7: PMC vs EBC (20th July)

The PMC team gathered at the very large St Wilfred field on a scorching afternoon to take on EBC in its 7th CRC match of the season. Reeling from a number of defeats and battling suspensions and players being unavailable, the PMC team was down to its bare bones with the fewest number of players available for a game this season. Nonetheless, the players who turned up were upbeat and intent on not finishing the league bottom of the table.

Pre-match team photo on the balcony

There were considerable changes to the starting line-up for this match as follows:

David Sng

Eddie - Timothy - Rusydi

Kevin - Kee Min

Damien - Sheldon - Samuel

Felix

Maurice

The big field certainly unsettled the team, even though the 2 previous friendlies had been played on the equally large St Patrick's field. Still, it took some getting used to, with lots of space in between players and balls not reaching their intended target with passes too light and mis-directed. For the first 20min of the match, PMC was soaking and sitting back, without being able to control possession. Felix and Sheldon were marshalling the defence well, with Kee Min and Timothy doing well in the middle to hold the ball, leaving EBC with few good chances. When they did threaten, Maurice was there to sweep up. PMC's first chance signalled the intended route to goal, with an early ball played to Rusydi on the right, who cut in and passed to Kevin in the box, whose shot was blocked by the defender. Other attempts on goal included Damien's left foot free kick which the EBC GK dealt with comfortably. After 15min into the match, the heat had got to Eddie, who had to be replaced with Jeremy Tan. His insertion into the match brought some neat exchanges on the left side of the field, and an instant chance which the EBC GK dealt comfortably with again. It took a route one move to put PMC up in the match. Samuel played an early ball to Rusydi, who looked up, spotted David on the run and played a beautiful cross which David controlled with his thigh, then fire a shot wide into the net with his laces. It was a typical CF goal, which the team celebrated. PMC held on to the lead heading into the break.

The half-time team talk focused on keeping the lead (naturally) through control and not making silly mistakes, as in previous matches. The instruction was to keep play in EBC's half, away from the danger zone close to PMC's goal. The only change made was David coming off, with Isaac replacing him, which meant Jeremy Tan moving upfront with Isaac on the left wing. The shape of the team was good going into the second half, and the early exchanges saw PMC playing to plan. Only a few fouls here and there gave EBC the opportunity to threaten through free kicks, but all these were not on target. PMC tried to soak-and-strike with Jeremy, and then Timothy coming really close. Mid-way through the second half, Joel and Lincoln came on to replace Damien and Felix, with some re-org in the team to see the match through. Both Joel and Lincoln did have good touches and exchanges, but no clear cut opportunities were created. The important part of the job was holding EBC, and this was done, with PMC leaving the field 1-0 winners, and another 3 points in the bag for the season. It was a hard fought match under hot conditions, but certainly well-deserved after the hard work on the field.

'World Cup Special' Soccer Fellowship (12th July)

The PMC Soccer Community gathered on 12th July to commemorate its 8th year of existence, having been set up during the World Cup of 2006. This 'World Cup Special' Soccer Fellowship was enthusiastically attended with a number of players turning up in their National Team jerseys.

Before the start of play, Kevin showed the above VISA commercial about the attraction of the World Cup to all types of people. Using this as an analogy to describe how Jesus was also someone who attracted attention and met the needs of many people during His time on earth, e.g. being a healer, someone who fed people and cared for them. Kevin encouraged all the players to be open to find out who Jesus is, so that He can meet all our needs.

Of course we had to use a Brazuca to play 

 Representatives from Singapore, Portugal, Germany, Bulgaria, Italy and Netherlands

The World Cup final we all wanted to see

Play got underway with the Reds and Whites (RW) taking on the other colours (OC) but no one really kept track of score as everyone was more concerned with having fun and enjoying a good run-out. This has certainly been the cornerstone of Soccer Fellowship all these years and we're glad that many of the players who started with us in 2006, are still with us today.

Friendly Match Report: PMC vs TCC Veterans (6th July)

The PMC Soccer Team continued to keep up with their match fitness and tactical training by taking on the TCC Veterans on a weekend where most of the team were away. As such, it was another opportunity for some friends and potential additions to the team to join in at St Patrick's School. 

Although the TCC Veterans team was named as such, it was clear that they had a number of younger legs in key positions where their skill and speed would trouble us. Nonetheless, the focus was again on getting ready for the next CRC match and less on the final outcome of this match. 

PMC started off the match quite well, with Kee Min and Timothy controlling the midfield by holding the ball well. TCC looked like they had no inhibition using their bodies and experience to win the ball, but more often than not, these resulted in fouls against them, winning us vital free kicks that Rusydi took. Interestingly, the first couple of chances fell to Kevin, who although was playing as Stopper, pushed up during free kicks and corners. The TCC team focused their attacks through the middle, allowing Samuel and Wei En more space to push up on the wings. Overall, both teams were playing controlled, physical football, with chances being few and far-between. At about the 20min mark, some changes were made to rotate the team. It was shortly after these changes that TCC was able to beat the PMC offside trap, allowing their forward to score from a one-on-one situation with GK Joel. Not to be dismayed being a goal down, the PMC pushed forward for the rest of the half, but the chances were not forthcoming. 

The half-time team talk focused on keeping the ball, playing it to feet, and create more chances with better final balls in the box. This did happen for a good portion of the second half, but none of these turned into goals. This was until a free kick was won just outside the TCC box for Samuel to step up and curl a beautiful right footer into the right corner of the TCC net to bring things level at 1-1. PMC continued to push forward to win the match, with TCC unable to keep up, sitting deep to defend and trying to hit on the break to no avail. It took a somewhat bewildering decision by the referee to turn the game in TCC's favour when he decided to award TCC a penalty following a corner when a TCC player tumbled in the box under no apparent challenge by a PMC player. The TCC penalty-taker made no mistake with his effort, although David Lim (now back in goal) almost got his hand to the ball. PMC pushed hard to find the equaliser in the final 5min of the match, but it ended 2-1 in TCC's favour. 

Overall, the team played well despite having many regulars away, and this was encouraging in preparation for the next CRC match when many regulars would either be suspended or still away.