Goal Rush

Match Report for Friendly game

Sunday, January 25th 2009

Venue: Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School

Redbacks FC            12

VS.

Bai United                 2 (Half-time: 3-1)

Scorers: Ayat(5), Ming(3), Aki(2), Ayyub(2)

After getting whipped 0-5 at the hands of Raven United last weekend, Redbacks responded in the best possible fashion with an astonishing 12-2 victory over Bai United. Man-of-the-match Ayat had a special spectator and her presence seemed to have a huge impact on him, netting 5 goals within 75minutes of playing time.

Azhar gave a suprise with the team selection. Ming was paired with Ayat upfront, Jaz and Mok on the wings with Azhar and Ayyub pulling the strings in the middle. Wan Small and Bob started as full-backs, with Abang Sani and Zaini in the centre of defence. Aki played as keeper and we had Wan Small to play in goal for the remaining 20mins in the 2nd half!

Redbacks started the game strongly, seeming determined to put an end to woeful performances last few games. Ayat went one-on-one with the keeper and his shot was deflected to Ming and he was composed to put the ball into the empty net from the edge of the box using his left foot. Unfortunately, Bai United pulled a goal back when their striker’s shot was fumbled into the net by Aki. The blame is on the China-brand goalkeeping gloves provided by Ayyub! However, the reaction of Redbacks was immediate. Ayat was put through on goal by a lovely through ball from Captain Azhar and Ayat had the odessity to dribble past the helpless keeper and slotted the ball home. 2-1! On the verge of half-time, a weak clearance from the opponent’s defence was spectacularly volleyed by Jaz into Ayat’s path and he drilled the shot into the bottom left corner putting Redbacks 3-1!

2nd half started with a bang as Ming’s ferocious shot was parried by the keeper into Ayat’s path yet again. Ayat first timed his venomous shot into the net. It was Ayat’s 2nd hat-trick for Redbacks FC this season. With the defence finding its feet and Azhar providing an excellent anchor, chance after chance were to be followed. Soon after, Ming was sent clear on goal and instead of shooting himself, he unselfishly squared the ball to Ayat for his forth goal of the match. Truely amazing display from the team at this point, Ayat wrapped up his outstanding display for getting his fifth by slotting the ball home after intercepting a pass from the opponent’s defence. Redbacks already 6-1 up. Ayat was subbed by Muhaimin, Jaz’s 15 year old brother, who makes his debut by playing in the right wing. Aki and Ayyub were pushed upfront with Ming to form the three men assault on the opponents. Aki’s first shot was misjudged by the keeper and ended in the bottom right of the net. Then, Ayyub went one-on-one with the keeper and his shot was parried by the keeper. Ming was at the right place at the right time again to score the rebound. Aki smacked his second goal into the net after some mix up in the penalty box, the keeper looking stunned. Aki found Ayyub with an excellent through ball and Ayyub finally got his goal by placing the ball in the bottom right corner. Later, Ayyub jinked his way past the keeper to set up Ming’s first ever Hat-trick for Redbacks FC. Bai Untied scored again by a brillant individual effort that beat Wan Small in the far post. Ayyub scored his second by a powerful shot that went underneath the keeper’s right arm pit. Final score: 12-2.

After the final whistle, a group of the Redbacks were taking a mini-victory pictures. Despite it being a friendly, it was a major boost of morale and excellent workout for the whole team. The team had a solid all round display and we hoped to bring this positive form in our next league games.

Thanks to Ayyub for writing this match report!

A Gulf Too Wide

Redbacks: 0
Raven United: 5

Venue: Greenview Sec Sch

Two divisions and fifteen places apart, in the end, the scoreline was not really that big a surprise. Raven United of Division One showed the Spiders what it takes to play with the big boys of the D2D League and the emphatic victory proved that we still have a lot to do.

We struggled to score and failed to keep possession for an extended period of time. On the other side, Raven showed great teamwork, determination and work ethic. Competing in the D2D League has given us a lot of valuable lessons so far and the education continues. It was especially painful to see our opponents score with relative ease while we struggled to muster a shot on target.

The team had a discussion after the game to talk about how we are going to improve and be more effective as a team. A lot of points were shared and we hope that the players continue to apply themselves in games and contribute to the sustained growth of the team. May we taste success in the future.

Redbacks Forever!

Team (4-4-2): Aki, Taufik, Sani, Aidil, Aziz, Jaz, Azhar, Ming, Faiz, Kai, Ayyub
Subs: Ayat, Izat, Wan Jr., Wan, Irwando, Bob, Mok

Last Minute Heartbreak

Redbacks: 1
Apex Rangers: 2

Venue: Tanglin Sec Sch
Scorer: Ayyub

Football can be so cruel at times. This was one of those times. A courageous display by Redbacks went unrewarded as two scrappy goals lead to a loss in the hands of the league leaders and now, champions-elect Apex Rangers. It was more heartbreaking as the winning goal came in the very last minute of the game. Considering that we created numerous chances (as usual), we deserved at least a draw. Unfortunately, luck was truly not on our side.

We knew that it would be a major challenge to come up against the undefeated league leaders. The Spiders adopted a defensive approach to the game, utilizing a 4-2-3-1 formation. With a five-man midfield, we were able to wrest control over our opponents. Midway through the half, we made the breakthrough. Receiving a pass from Faiz on the right flank, Ayyub took aim from distance. His shot flew over the goalkeeper for a truly spectacular game opener. Having suffered from a goalscoring drought for the last 6 games, relief was clear for everyone to see.

Apex Rangers then showed why they are the team to beat as they came back into the game. After springing the offside trap, a goalmouth scramble ensued. Fauzy made a brilliant point blank stop but in our panic, we failed to clear our lines. After a few scuffed attempts, the ball finally found its way into the back of the net. Legitimate calls for a handball and an offside in the build-up fell on deaf ears. We did have a chance to get back our lead but unfortunately Ayat could not convert a one-on-one chance.

The Redbacks continued our attempts as we laid siege on the Rangers’ goal in the second half. We enjoyed a particular impressive period of play where we created about 3 to 4 chances. Unfortunately, nobody could capitalize as a lack of finishing prowess continue to haunt the team. We were made to pay in the most cruel of fashion. In the last attack of the game, the ball bobbled its way around the Redbacks penalty area. As we failed to clear, a Rangers forward popped up to poke the ball for the match winner. The Spiders were shell-shocked at the events that transpired.

It was also unfortunate that the referee got a few crucial calls wrong. Ayyub and Ayat both successfully beat the offside trap on two occassions, only for the referee to rule otherwise. Ayat also had a penalty appeal turned down. It was truly a day where things did not go our way. However, we can take heart from an outstanding performance even though we were edged out. Although we may be out of the title race, we will continue to play hard and finish as high up the table as possible.

Team (4-2-3-1): Fauzy, Aidil, Sani, Zaini, Taufik, Rosli, Kai, Mok, Faiz, Ayyub, Ayat
Subs: Azhar, Bob, Aziz, Ridwan, Raizal, Ming, Wan, Azam

Spiders Slump

Redbacks: 0
Mammoet: 2

Venue: Seng Kang Sec Sch

It was not the ideal way to start the new year as the Spiders suffered another setback to our title aspirations. For the first time this season, we failed to find the back of the net. Multiple absentees meant that the team had to put out whatever we had at kick-off. Once again, we conceded an early goal when Mammoet took advantage of some dismal defending. However, apart from that one moment, the defence performed credibly. The other departments were not doing too well. The forward line was out of sync and the midfielders were often disjointed and lacking cohesion.

We can learn a lot from the way Mammoet played. They were comfortable in possession and easily broke down the Spiders with intelligent, quick passing and intuitive movements off the ball. Such understanding takes many years to develop and therefore we would have to be very patient in order to reach that level. This game also exposed another area of weakness of the Redbacks. Compared to many teams, we are a little lightweight and it showed as many players was easily muscled off the ball by our bigger and stronger opponents. We compounded our situation further by holding onto the ball for too long instead of playing the early pass. Still, there was a lack of off-the-ball movements and in a way, it prevented players from playing the right passes.

A few adjustments were made at half-time and the Spiders were able to get going. We managed to carve out a few chances but failed to capitalize on some opportunities. Aidil had a golden chance to pull one back when Ayyub found him with a free kick, but his first touch let him down. Hilmi also had a chance late in the game but he stabbed the ball wide with the goal at his mercy.

Instead, it was Mammoet who pulled further ahead after the referee awarded a penalty against Bob. Yusman went the right way but the penalty was too well-struck to be saved. The team had Yusman to thank for keeping the scoreline respectable. Our stand-in custodian made a few important saves. The most notable one occurred when he flung himself across the goal to tip a goalbound effort away with one hand.

It was disappointing to lose but we have to continue the journey. We didn’t play that badly. In fact, according to Azam we played well enough. However, Mammoet were truly the better team and we hope the players come away from the game picking up a few learning points about the game. Now, we must look to our next game and surely we will bounce back.

Team (4-4-2): Yusman, Azam, Sani, Wan, Ming, Faiz, Jaz, Ayyub, Kai, Hilmi, Ayat
Subs: Aziz, Bob, Aidil

Review: December 2008

The Need for the Killer Touch

Three matches played, yielding three different results. Following our defeat to K1K in the last game of November, we slumped to a second consecutive defeat against Ventz. It was truly a perplexingly frustrating match. We carved out numerous chances, yet we only manage to score one goal late in the game. Ventz, on the other hand, scored from whatever opportunities they got and in the end, the 3-1 scoreline really flattered them and it did not reflect the true nature of the game. Still, we can learn of the importance of putting away our chances. We will have a chance to ut things right when we meet them again for the return leg.

The defeat prompted the team to take a break the following weekend. When we came back, our opponents were just as formidable: RSM. In a match that was called off at half-time due to heavy rain, RSM was in the process of “beating” us 2-0. We were aware of their capabilities and the team was very focused for the encounter. Once again, we created countless chances, only for RSM to score against the run of play. We should have won the game but in the end, we had to be content with an equalizer by Ayat. At least we stopped the losing streak.

In the last match of the season, we faced a high-flying Monforto. It was a highly physical and bruising game. Monforto players complained at the physical nature of the Spiders. Ironic considering they were equally hard, with a few late challenges and trailing legs leaving marks on some of the Redbacks players. They were fortunate that the referee did not spot a blatant shove by one of their players. A red card would have signalled a point deduction, rubbing salt into their wounds. Ayat took centre stage to claim his stake as the teams number one striker with a hat-trick and almost single-handedly destroyed the resistance of Monforto.

From a defeat to a draw and finally, an emphatic victory. Things are looking up and hopefully, we will continue our winning ways. The theme of the month has to be the need to put away our chances. Winning football games is all about scoring goals. If you do not put them away, more often than not you are going to get punish.

To everyone: let’s get clinical!

Redbacks Forever!