Redbacks: 2
New Eastroids: 2
Redbacks win 2-1 on penalties
Venue: Yio Chu Kang Sec Sch
Scorers: Hilmi, Joe
The Spiders put aside the poor results plaguing their league to knock New Eastroids (NE) out of the League Cup. The players were fired up to turn their season around. With this positive result, could this be the turning point of our season? The odds were clearly stacked against us. With only 12 players turning up, it was the lowest attendance we have experienced so far this season. Thankfully, Izan was able to make the game, enabling us to have our best custodian for this crunch match.
The game was tight until the team experienced what can be described as another Aziz moment. Having messed up his initial clearance, he tried to make amends the second time but only succeeded in laying the ball off for a NE striker to beat Izan at his near post. The defence regrouped and kept the NE attackers at bay, with Juraimi having a standout performance in the stopper’s position.
In the second half, the Redbacks searched for the equalizer. A free kick was punted into the NE penalty area. The initial clearance was poor and amidst the chaos, Hilmi rose the highest to calmly nod the ball into the goal. Opposing teams are beginning to find the Spiders hard to beat and we have definitely built a reputation as a team never to give up until the final whistle.
Our resolve was tested when NE edged ahead. From a corner, an NE player rose to head the ball. The ball then deflected off Zaini’s shoulder and totally wrong-footed Izan. 2-1 to New Eastroids. Were we going to suffer yet another heartbreaking one goal defeat?
But the Spiders pressed on and were duly rewarded. Azhar got the ball on the right flank and crossed to the far post. Mikael was there to head the ball across the goal and Joe appeared to apply the finishing touch. NE players protested, insinuating that Joe was offside but the referee was not having any of it. With both teams unable to find the winner, the game went to sudden death penalty kicks.
Mikael stepped up first and smashed his penalty home. Izan went the right way but was unable to stop NE’s first kick. Hilmi calmly put his penalty away. For NE’s second kick, Izan went the right way again but this time, he managed to save the spot kick, giving the Redbacks a memorable win.
Team (4-5-1): Izan, Zaini, Juraimi, Aziz, Aidil, Azhar, Raizal, Fai, Hilmi, Jaz, Mikael
Sub: Joe
