Spiders Walk Alone

FC Tempastella : 1

Redbacks : 0

On an evening that promised a soccer fiesta,the Spiders once again fell to that now familiar feeling of being in a losing side.Credit however had to be given to the attending players,who were resolved to make their weekends count.

Against a side that was sitting high up on the table,FC Tempastella was indeed a side to be reckoned with.The Spiders’s first enocunter with them had given much knowledge on,how the game ought to be approached.Capt Azhar made astute calls in lining up a formation with the available players.Izan was in goal,as he sought to marshall a backline consisting of Sani,Bob,Aidil and Ajiz.In midfield Azhar and Jo were flanked by Taufiq and Hidayat. Fai and Ajiz’s son led the attack.

The first half was a straight affair of trying to control the game,amidst the bobbles and bounces of the ball on a terrible Anderson pitch.Tempastella in particular,took time to settle into their familiar passing game,as the Spiders chased every bouncing ball with determination.Aidil was magnificent in repelling Tempastella’s attack down his flank,as the defender cleared every single ball that came his way.Tempastella’s relentless attacks were also kept at bay by the excellent defending and goalkeeping of Sani and Izan respectively.

A freekick was soon awarded to Tempastella.Amidst the confusion and noise,Tempastella took a quick one and the ball landed nicely onto the path of their striker who wasted no time in sidefooting the ball to take the lead.

Midway on,Jaz replaced the injured Taufik on the left flank and the winger wasted no time in earning the first corner for the Spiders.Henceforth,the Spiders began to wrest the initiative.A flick on by Ajiz’s son,fell onto the onrushing Azhar who advanced forward,totally clear of the defence.Alas,his delicate chip over the incoming keeper missed the goal by inches,as the crowd bit their shirts in frustration.Another breakaway,saw Jaz carving out a pass for Azhar but the Captain was once again denied.A favour returned a few minutes later saw the referee calling out for the offside agains the sprinting Jaz.1-0 was the halftime score.

The second half resumed,and the Spiders sticked to the same personnel.Sensing that grabbing an equaliser was a possibility,emphasis was placed on attack.A long punt by Izan was intelligently headed onto the path of Azhar who once again,failed to make a convincing contact of a shot,as he was closed down almost immediately.That effort saw him leaving the pitch as his Adidas’s boots were smashed to smithereen.Taufiq came on once again,and played upfront,replacing the departed Captain.The Spiders’s defence were imperious holding off every attack launched by Tempastella.The defence threw in their limbs everywhere,denying Tempastella an inch of a space to make a decent shot.Even when they managed to,they found Izan in inspired form,diving,tipping,clawing and literally saving the Spiders’s the blushes.

After what seemed like eternity,the referee blew his whistle to indicate Tempastella’s victory by a single goal.Definitely not a welcoming result,but the Spiders made sure that the defeat did not go down without a fight.

Special mention ought to be reserved for the attending players,for ensuring that no matter the numbers,the spirit of a fight will not be diminished.It’s such comittment that matters at the end of the day.

ps: Thanks to Azhar for hosting the Liverpool match for the Spiders with the excellent Bandung,Mee Goreng and Murtabak.Was an excellent post match gathering.

pps: The writer will also like to call upon the committment of all Spiders to reply promptly with certainty to attendances in coming games.It highlights the responsibility and value as a player.At the very least respect is served to your committed teammates.For those who had been doing such,the heartiest appreciation goes out to you guys!Forza Redbacks!

 

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4-4-2: Izan,Sani,Bob,Aidil,Ajiz,Jo,Azhar,Hidayat,Taufik,Ajiz’s Son,Fai

Subs: Jaz,Muhaimin

“Huat” a Comeback!

Huat FC : 2

Redbacks FC : 2

Scorer : Mikael (2 goals)

The overcast sky did not stop the faithful Spiders from attending this week’s league game against Huat FC.The appeal of an artificial turf at Marsiling Secondary  School did not attract enough Spiders as only 11 players made their way onto the field.Captain Azhar opted  for a change in strategy,probably due to the knowledge that Huat was a formidable opponent.A 5-3-2 formation was instilled,with a duo team of stoppers in Abg Sani and William supported  by Zaini as the sweeper.The fullbacks comprised of Ajiz and debutant Taufik.The central midfield line was marshalled by Mokh,Azhar and Jaz supporting the attack point in Mikael and Fai.On paper,this strategy looked sound and solid…

The initial minutes into the game was frantic and full of pace,as both teams seemed at ease carresing the ball along the turf.The Spiders in particular,were menacing in their attacking movements as Mikael strived to beat their scrambling defenders.Positive shouts by the Spiders,led to the players moving and positioning themselves productively across the pitch.Midway through the encounter,Captain was upended badly in the middle of the park by an onrushing midfielder.That proved to be the turning point for the number 7 as,his heavily knocked ankle seemed to slow his movements for the rest of the game.

A few minutes after that incident,Huat FC unexpectedly drew first blood.A crossfield long pass by a defender passed the Spiders midfield line and headed towards the right flank.Everyone waited for Ajiz to attempt to head the ball away,but inexplicably he decided to do a “Barthez” and plead for an offside call.His attempts were in vain as the bouncing ball eluded him and onto the path of Huat’s attacker.”Play on!”signalled the referee,and he wasted no time in toe poking the ball past Izan at his far corner.

Although the Spiders reorganized themselves with better movements,after that silly goal,Huat FC launched another long ball,across the field that missed the desperate header of Aidil and landed onto Huat’s Caucasian winger.The Spiders in unison,called for the offside whilst the striker unleashed a shot past Izan into the goal.Jaz immediately ran to the referee and questioned the dubious goal,but was firmly told with the best of reasonings that the Spiders’s number 22 was clearly playing the attacker in.To the dismay of the Spiders,the man in black was right,as we noted Ajiz jogging back into position.Another “characteristic” conceded goal by the Spiders.

The second half continued on from where the Spiders left off,as strings of passes were intricately weaved into Huat FC’s half.One such movement saw Jaz getting the ball on the right flank,who looked up and lofted a perfectly weighted pass into Huat’s penalty box.The ball seemed to elude everyone but Mikael,who took a touch before volleying it over the onrushing goalkeeper.It was 2-1.The goal seemed to galvanize the Spiders’s spirit as they prepared an onslaught of attacks.One such attack came in the form of a free kick,just off the half way mark.Jaz once again floated a curved ball that missed the heads of Huat FC’s players but fell neatly for Mikael.Unfortunately,the fervent Pool supporter,scooped the ball totally over the bar.

Midway through the second half,a loose clearance from Huat’s attack was picked up by Jaz who advanced forward into Huat’s territory.Mikael made an intelligent run to the left which Jaz spotted and,the right midfielder slid in a through pass.Mikael latched onto the ball,beat two defenders before curling a grounder past the flailing arms of the sliding goalkeeper. 2-2.

Chances came aplenty after that.Fai in particular had a splendid chance,after being slid in with a through pass by Jaz.His foray directly into the penalty box however came to nothing,as his shot was well blocked by the backtracking defenders.Mokh had a snap shot saved and so did a few others well placed shot from the Spiders.Abg Sani who came on for the injured Mikael had a goal winning chance,when Azhar back heeled a pass into the Iron Man’s path.Abg Sani’s burst of pace brough him forward,but that spent energy deflated him off a well placed shot into the arms of the keeper.The Spiders had a few other clear cut chances in the final minutes of the game,but alas,those attempts were not enough to earn the Spiders their first win.

As the final whistle blew,friendly exchanges of handshakes went around as both teams were satisfied with the draw.Both teams knew that the sparring was fun,fair and fulfilling.A sense of mutual respect overwhelmed the pitch,as we wished each other good luck for the future matches.

Credit where it’s due,was given to the defensive unit for their stoic second half display.On a day where it was easier to cave in and surrender a few more goals,Redbacks decided to seize the initiative and tried to salvage an extraordinary comeback.Captain Azhar was particularly delighted with the sense of never giving in from the players of Redbacks.It was yet another zealous display of determination that brought about such a comeback.If such a team value can be instilled and build upon,it bodes well.

Forza Redbacks.

Team 5-3-2 : Izan,Zaini,Taufik,Ajiz,William,Sani,Azhar,Jaz,Mokh,Fai,Mikael

Second half : Aidil,Desmond

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Ooglee Boys : 4

Redbacks FC : 2

Scorer : Mikael (2 goals)

In another match last week,Redbacks FC lost to Ooglee boys in their Cup run with a score of 4-2.Both Redbacks goals were scored by Mikael.Redbacks FC is now out of the Cup.

Team 4-5-1 : Fai,Rosli,Bob,Aidil,William,Azhar,Jaz,Boy,Hilmi,Mokh,Mikael

Second Half : Imran,Irwando

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Set Piece Folly!

Redbacks: 1
FC Simpang: 2

Venue: Yio Chu Kang Sec
Scorer: Boy

This was a game that had revenge written all over. The Spiders were meeting their league debut opponents, FC Simpang. The latter had triumphed convincingly over the Spiders in their early encounter, winning with 5 goals to 3. Was this going to be a repeat in outcome?

Redbacks had the good fortune of having 15 attending players, amidst the “stock market” confirmation of player’s availability. Bob brought along his nephew, Boy, who will later turn out to be an unearthed gem. Oggy, came back between the sticks after two months hiatus. The Spiders started with their familiar 4-5-1 formation, with Boy lining up as the sole striker in the absence of regular goal getter Mikael.

The game started brightly, with the Spiders breaking the rhythmic play of their opponents time and time again.The Spiders midfield were losing ground on the excellent passing play that FC Simpang dished out with ease. Jaz in particular was struggling to gain an edge as he was closed down instantaneously by Simpang’s centre duo. The only bright spark in the engine room was the industrious play of Wan Jr and Yusman who diligently counter attacked with gusto down the right flank. The game continued with the teams threading passes after passes but to no positive avail.

All that changed however, when the Spider’s inability to clear their lines on the left side of the field , resulted in a nicely weighted cross into the path of an FC Simpang player. Without a moment of hesitation, he side footed the ball past Oggy’s flailing dive. 1-0.

Redbacks regrouped and attacks were launched. One such move led to the marauding Wan Jr,supplying a cross,after a neat one two with Jaz ,into the box.Boy hooked a volley that cannoned off the crossbar. A chorus of disappointment engulfed the Spiders as they trudged into halftime with a deficit.

Capt Azhar made strategic substitutions to add flavour into the game.Installing himself in the center role,much was expected from the man who was carrying a knock. The Spiders managed to dictate the opening minutes of thesecond half with some splendid interpassing,movements and tactical positioning.Jo and Willian in particular stuck their grounds in repelling FC Simpang’s advances.

Then came the moment of magic from Boy,as he raced onto a weighted clearance from William. The last defender who hesitated to clear his line was left chasing the shadow of the debutant. Boy delicately placed a ferocious instep volley that lobbed into the goal,as the advancing keeper watched. 1-1.

A few minutes after the euphoria, Bob conceded a free kick just meters away from the centre half. FC Simpang floated the ball and it was knocked onto the path of a gleeful looking striker, who side footed the ball gently into the net. Once again, the Spiders inability to defend at set pieces will prove to be their bane. 2-1.
The rolling subs were maximised on the Spiders end, as they tried to salvage a result. One such moment came in the form of a free kick that was magnificently driven onto the crossbar, by Azhar. Alas,at the end of it all,the heart and spirited display put forth by the Spiders were not enough to wrest away the result. 2-1 in favour of FC Simpang was the final score. Another effort,another loss and definitely another learning point for the Spiders to put a spin on.

Team(4-5-1): Oggy, Sani, Zaini, Aidil, Ajis, Wan Jr, Yusman, Fai, Mokh, Jaz, Boy
Subs:  Bob, William, Jo, Azhar

Match Report by Jaz

Lost So What!

REDBACKS : 1

SIMPANG FC : 2

Venue: Yio Chu Kang Sec Sch
Scorer : Boi

Battled hard and lost but the won the respect of the opponent. Salute to all who played against the league leaders, full of guts.  Quote from Simpang FC’s Manager ‘Is this the same Redbacks FC we played in the first leg?! Baik ah Redbacks’ unquote.

Special mentioned to Sani, sudden burst of speed that never seen before, down hard twice still going strong.

Attendance: Oggy, Zaini, Aziz, Aidil, Sani, Ridwan, Yusman, Jaz, Fairoz, Mok, Boi, Azhar, Hisham, William, Joe, Bob