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