Alpha Cup Match Report #5: PMC vs AMKBC (26th October)

PMC gather again on the home ground of Hai Sing Catholic School for the 5th game of the Alpha Cup. Almost similar faces from the last game turn up, plus a rare appearance from Andy who have not joined us for a while now. AMKBC lead the sharing and singspiration, before PMC took to the field:

Winston

 

Andy - Jem Sin - Felix - Damien

 

Jem Tan - Samuel - Kee Min - Justin Ang

 

Jacob

 

David Sng

 

PMC kicked off the first half with veteran David leading the front line. In the first 10 minutes, AMKBC tall speedy wingers tested PMC's wing defence, but PMC was able to soak it up and ran hard to contain the wingers. First half was pretty drappy, with possession fairly equal amongst both teams, and both keepers were barely tested. Most of the time, balls were cleared to the sides and time seemed to be spend more on picking the balls up from the bush then it was in play. AMKBC broke the deadlock first, as a successful quick passing by AMKBC down the left wing allows the winger to send in a teasing cross. The cross was met by Felix, who unfortunately miskick the clearance for the ball to fall nicely to AMKBC striker, who then control and slot the ball past Winston with his second touch. Joel came on for Jem Tan, as PMC look to move up another gear to try to respond immediately, pushing the defence line higher to tighten the space in midfield, and pegging AMKBC in their half with our high pressing, but the equalising goal failed to come.

 

Half-time: AMKBC 1 PMC 0.

 

Making full use of the rolling substitution, couple of changes were made at half-time. Maurice came on for Felix to partner Jem Sin at the back, while David Sng is allowed some breathing time as Lincoln came on and will move to right wing, with Joel playing up front. Second half begin where it ends in the first half, with PMC playing a high line and continue the high pressing and pegging AMKBC back. Joel and Jacob both had good runs to the box and had a couple of shots that just lack the finishing touch to place the ball into the net. AMKBC threat down their left appeared to be neutralised and ineffective as Andy, Justin and Joel close them down easily and often winning possession back and starting PMC owns attack. The same could not be said down PMC left, as Lincoln appears tired and lethargic, and was rightfully replaced soon by David, with Joel now moving back to the wings. A knock onto Damien calls for another substitution, as Jem Tan came on, with Samuel temporary shifting to the left back and Joel slotting into the center midfield. While all these substitution was taking place, PMC lost its shape and too many players were out of position. AMKBC then took advantage of it and send in a cross from the left, where 3 AMKBC players were waiting in the box, with PMC's Jem Sin alone. The cross found the advancing AMKBC striker on the far post and his header easily beat Winston. PMC continue to press high and a successive of corners were won now. With nothing to lose, PMC commit more players into the box in all the upcoming corners. Damien managed to shake off his knock and came back on, replacing Joel. His left-footed curling cross from one of the corners almost went in at the near post, though with television reply, that corner may have gone past the line, but a scramble in the box found the ball to a lurking Jem Sin, who poke it past the line to make sure the referee restart the game with the ball in the middle. PMC continue the high pressing, as the game seems to be coming to an end soon. With literally the last corner, Damien's cross was headed out by AMKBC defence to the edge of the box. Smoothing the bouncing ball with one touch, Andy was well placed at the edge of the box and he curled in a delightful second touch into the top left corner of the post to equalise and brought the game to a restart. As AMKBC kick off the ball again, PMC thought that with the momentum was in our hands, but alas, the referee brought the game to an end with the final whistle.

 

Final score: AMKBC 2 PMC 2



Alpha Cup Match Report #4: PMC vs TCPC (19th October)

PMC returned to its home ground of Hai Sing Catholic School to get back to winning ways against a TCPC team that had not won all season (CRC and Alpha Cup). The team was highly confident as it took the field, knowing that a good win for this match would set it back on course for the season. After singspiration and sharing led by TCPC, the team took to the field as follows:

Jeremy Tan

Jingzhong - Kevin - Justin

Kee Min - Jacob

Damien - Jeremy Sin - Samuel

Daniel Chen

Joel 

It was clear from the start that PMC would have the lion's share of possession with the first 10min completely in the TCPC half, with action most in the TCPC box. Within the short start of the match, PMC had numerous chances to open the scoring, with Jingzhong having a go from long range and a couple of half chances. Unfortunately for PMC, none really troubled the GK and defence, who were content just to clear their lines at every opportunity, and not even relying on a counter attack as the PMC defence was able to push up to the halfway line to press TCPC in their own half. It was thus frustrating for the team that the GK was only troubled slightly, with most shots on goal or chances not being on target, or the ball lost before it got delivered into the box. This frustration showed on the part of PMC players who tried to take matters into their own hands in order to score a goal, clearly frustrating their team mates further. When TCPC did have the ball, they were content to punt it long towards goal for their forward to chase. On one of the few such occasions, Daniel Chen needed to make a last minute intervention, buckling his knee in the process. Even though he was able to help himself up, he was running rather gingerly for the rest of the half. It was thus remarkable for both teams that halftime came with the score at 0-0, PMC wondering how it was not ahead, and TCPC wondering how they had kept a clean sheet.

After the halftime team talk to focus on playing cohesively as a team, and to get the ball more into the box, the PMC team returned to the field to get the win. Daniel Chen was unable to continue and was replaced by Felix, with Justin sitting down for David Sng. The start of the 2nd half was pretty much the same story as the first but this time, TCPC was far more adventurous, with its first-half GK Bob (from BBTC) playing as an advanced outfield player. This made things far more positive for TCPC as he was an able dribbler, and brought other team mates into the game. This indeed made the difference when on one such counter attack, a long ball was controlled by him, and the PMC defence which had little to do all day, was caught flat footed, allowing the forward to take Joel on in a one-on-one situation to prod the ball into the net. The TCPC supporters could not believe it as their team took the lead. The PMC players also could not believe it and immediately pressed harder for a goal. Jacob was certainly giving his 110% as always, even though visibly tiring. With a freekick awarded in PMC's favour, Samuel stepped up to whip the ball into the box and the on-rushing Jacob was able to sweep it into the corner of the net to level the game at 1-1. This energised PMC to play more as a team and get the next goal. However, some calamitous defending undid PMC's good work. Another long ball in the PMC box was not dealt with decisively, and as Joel came for it, both Felix and Jeremy Sin allowed the ball to bounce, obstructed their own GK, and gave the TCPC forward the simplest task of rolling the ball into the empty net. Again the TCPC bench erupted in cheers and PMC was left bewildered about what it needed to do to sort things out. At this time, Jeremy Tan left the field for Justin's return and the final push for a goal. The equaliser came was Jacob made a good decision to cut his right wing run to cross the ball into the box for David Sng to expertly finish with a first-time volley. With the score at 2-2 and all to play for in the final 5min, PMC really pushed for the goal and was rewarded when a long throw to Kevin in the box was unlawfully defended by the defender with a handball. Jacob stepped up to score what would have been the winning goal, but his firm shot skimmed the crossbar, leaving the PMC team ruing the miss and wondering what it needed to do to win. Worse still, in the closing stages of the match, Jingzhong found himself in a physical contest with a TCPC defender. Although there was not much in the tussles, the referee saw  a need to show Jingzhong two yellow cards in quick succession, causing him to be sent off and suspended for the next match.

The frustration clearly showed on everyone's faces during the post-match team talk. There was much to work on, and Kevin led everyone in a time of reflection and positive thinking moving foward, so as not to allow this match to be the judge on the team's ability.

Alpha Cup Match Report #3: PMC vs FGA (12th October)

PMC returned to East View Sec to resume its Alpha Cup campaign. Clearly being stretched in its 22nd game of the season in terms of commitment and injuries, PMC was aided in this match by 2 new faces- Jacob's friend Justin and Joel's friend Aaron. Together, the team hoped to put up a good showing against former CRC champions FGA. The match proceedings started off with S&S led by Kevin, focusing on not making assumptions in life and challenging all to not assume who God is or is not, but rather find out for themselves who He is.

Following S&S and the team talk, PMC lined up as follows:

David Sng

Jeremy Tan - Kevin - Justin

Kee Min - Jacob

Damien - Jeremy Sin - Daniel Low - Joel

Winston

It was clear from the start of the match that PMC had to be prepared to chase for the ball. Even though FGA had not participated in the CRC this season, they certainly had kept up their brand of tiki-taka football, passing the ball swiftly both on the ground as well as in the air, leaving the PMC players have to sit back and do lots of off the ball chasing. FGA's smooth passing resulted in some early chances but they were mostly off target, but you could certainly see FGA players finding their range. When PMC players were able to get their feet to the ball, they were hardly able to hold onto it, playing hopeful balls up front for David Sng to chase or the wingers to press the full backs. It was thus not long that FGA opened up the scoring through a wonderfully worked goal completing many passes. The final ball found the FGA right winger in space, who took on Damien and fired a rocket into the goal from the edge of the box, leaving Winston rooted. Credit to PMC that the early goal did spur it on to press forward more, and the seemingly direct long-ball game did create a number of half-chances. One of which fell to Kevin, whose stiff right foot shot was too close to the FGA GK, who got down quick enough to save it. By the mid-point of the first half, things were pretty much even, but a turning point in favour of FGA swung the pendulum in their favour again. In a case of 50-50 ball, Daniel Low and Jeremy Sin were judged by the referee to have squeezed the FGA off the ball unfairly in the box, leading to FGA being awarded a rather soft penalty. FGA's #17 gleefully stepped up to fire the ball into the net for his 2nd goal. Being 2-0 up and with the wind in their sails, FGA pressed forward to put the match away before half-time. PMC brought on Justin for Justin and Aaron for Damien to stem the tide and this gave PMC some added bite in midfield. The best chance sod the first half fell to Jacob, who took on 3 FGA players before unleashing a right foot shot that cannoned off the cross bar. However, a couple of careless mistakes led to more goals conceded, mostly as a result of lack of communication and leaving the ghosting FGA players un-marked. The scoreline of 4-0 at halftime indeed looked harsh for a PMC side that had been defending resolutely all season.

After a simple team talk and lots of water to combat the heat, PMC returned to the field intent on salvaging some pride, which it did terribly well against PPCC in the previous match. The match was certainly more even in the 2nd half, with FGA sitting back knowing that it had sewn up the match. Felix had come on at RB in the 2nd half and was also quite assured in cleaning balls. PMC pressed in search of a goal, and had a number of good passing moves which led to half-chances. On one such move involving Kee Min, Justin and Jacob, the final ball was played into the box, but with natural striking instincts, Kevin took too long on the ball and although he did get his shot off, the FGA GK was able to save it. Next Aaron, now playing as CF, was able to let loose a first time left foot volley, but again, the cross bar came to FGA's rescue. Without the cross bar and the agile FGA GK, the scoreline could well have been 4-4 at this point. Winston in PMC's goal was also doing well, parrying a few long range shots which FGA players were content to take, given their large advantage. PMC also brought on Michael to bolster the defence, as Damien had to rush off for another appointment. PMC's undoing was again its own carelessness, giving away possession easily and allowing FGA players to shoot, or dribble into the box to score another couple of goals. The match ended on a sour note for both teams, as an inocuous incident in PMC's box led to the referee showing straight red cards to both Daniel Low and FGA's #17. It was clear to both teams that there was no physical contact between the players as they challenged for a 50-50 ball. The referee clearly interpreted the situation differently, sending both off, causing Daniel to be suspended for the next 2 Alpha Cup games.

This match was clearly a case of PMC being punished for not being sharp enough in front of goal and  not sure enough in possession. Such carelessness facing a slick passing team like FGA naturally turned into the large defeat on this day.