Redbacks Rampage

Redbacks: 8
Syed Rangers: 2

Venue: Woodlands Ring Sec Sch
Scorers: Ayyub (2), Aki (2), Ming (3), Faiz

The Spiders continue to hit plenty past their opponents in friendlies. A game where there were buckets of chances and 8 of them found the back of the net. We used the match to work on our short passing and there was a good balance in the team’s performance. You get the impression that we were walking the ball into the net at times.

Ming got his second hat-trick while Aki and Ayyub contributed a brace each in this victory. Ayyub came close on a few occasions to netting his first hat-trick, especially after scoring 2 goals early in the first half. Unfortunately, last season’s top scorer would just have to wait for it to come. Faiz added another to the rout in an outstanding performance by our attackers. The defense was comfortable and solid, despite conceding 2 goals. Our centre held the play together and overall, there was better penetration down the flanks. Now, all we need to do it to bring such performance to our league games. It was a good outing for all players as everyone stuck to their duties and reponsibilities. If we keep this up, we should be improving even more as time goes by.

Still, it was a bit disheartening to see only 12 players turn up for the game. We hope to see more players next week.

Team (4-4-2): Wan, Sani, Kai, Aidil, Bob, Azhar, Jaz, Ayat, Faiz, Ayyub, Aki
Sub: Ming

Redbacks Edge It

Redbacks: 1
Corpus Christi: 0

Venue: Broadrick Sec Sch
Scorer: Ayat

Many months have passed since the Spiders squared up against Corpus Christi. For the retun leg, the venue was the same, the time was the same but the result is slightly different. After succumbing 7-0 to the Redbacks in the first encounter, Corpus Christi were a totally different prospect this time around as we were made to sweat for our victory.

After creating numerous scoring opportunities, Ayat scored the opener thanks to some great work by Ming. The two players are beginning to show good chemistry with one another and we hope they continue to build on their recent performances. Although the goal was scored early, the floodgates did not quite open. Their goalkeeper was in inspired form, making some stupendous saves to prevent us from going further ahead.

Things were not much different in the second half. We continued dominating possession and chances but somehow the killer goal proved elusive. Instead, Corpus Christi threatened our goal as we poured forward for another goal. They were a couple of occassions where they came close to earning what would be an upset result over the Spiders. Relief was evident when the referee blew the final whistle. It may be a slim victory, but considering our three consecutive losses in the league, any win was welcomed.

Team (4-4-2): Aki, Aidil, Ridwan, Irwan, Raizal, Jaz, Azhar, Faiz, Mok, Ming, Ayat
Subs: Kai, Bob, Ayyub

Redbacks Fall

Redbacks: 0
RSM: 2

Venue: Sengkang Sec Sch

From a goal rush to goal-shy, the Spiders suffered yet another defeat in the D2D League. The difference to the game proved to be RSM’s goalkeeper, who pulled off save after save and almost singlehandedly won the game for his team. Although we conceded early in the game, we were certain we would score, given the hot form of our strikers.

Things got worse in the second half as RSM pulled further ahead we failed to clear our lines. With an offensive 3-4-3 formation, we carved out chance after chance. We should have had enough chances to get back into the game, even win it. However, the goalkeeper was not in a charitable mood as he denied us time and time again. He even pulled off one-on-one saves from Ayat on a few occassions.

The loss seems pretty harsh. Even though the goalkeeper produced a virtuoso performance, one has to admit that we could and should have done better. The question is: how long are we going to allow such performances to plague our games? Is it really about tough luck or is there something else that we can do?

See you guys next week.

Team (4-4-2): Wan, Sani, Taufik, Fauzy, Ridwan, Azhar, Ayyub, Faiz, Mok, Ayat, Ming
Subs: Aziz, Kai, Aki, Hilmi