Redbacks Held in 8-Goal Thriller!

Redbacks: 4
Sarcofargo: 4

Venue: Sengkang Secondary School
Scorers: Patrick, Rosli, Azhar (2)
Assists by: Kai, Azhar

Sengkang Secondary continue to be a bogey ground for the Spiders as we were frustrated by Sarcofargo. It was a game we ought to win but a combination of bad luck, lack of discipline and sheer determination by our opponents saw both teams end the game with 4 goals each. Redbacks got the perfect start to game, scoring within the first few minutes. Kai found debutant Patrick on the left side of the pitch and the newbie scored the game’s opener with a rising shot.

Sarcofargo equalized after Izan’s clearance found their right winger. The Sarcofargo player took advantage and struck the ball into the unguarded net. The Spiders went back into the lead as Rosli was released by Azhar with a through ball. Rosli beat the goalkeeper and finished clinically. However, Sarcofargo managed to equalize again before the half was over thanks to some lacklustre defending. We had other great opportunities to pull ahead but were unable to make the chances count.

In the second half, Azhar came alive and put the Spiders ahead with a fine effort. Sarcofargo refused to give in and drew level against the run of play. Aidil brought their midfielder down in the penalty box with Izan sent the wrong way from the resultant kick.

Just as Sarcofargo was stubborn in refusing to accept defeat, the Redbacks were determined not to lose two precious points. Azhar made the most of another half-chance, rifling a shot for the team’s fourth and his second goal. With a few minutes left, the Spiders lost focus. Sarcofargo took the direct route and exploited some gaps at the back to score their final equalizer for the game. 4-4 was the final score. The Spiders left the game feeling that they should have gained more from the game.

We hope that everyone gained valuable experience and learning points from the game. The game plan was properly spelled out and every player needs to play his part to ensure that we keep to it. It is important for every person to fulfill their function and perform their roles to the best of the ability. Also, substitutions need to be thought of carefully and should not be done haphazardly. But what’s done is done. Let’s move on to the next game and play hard for a better result.

Forza Redbacks.

Team (4-4-2): Izan, William, Sani, Alfiah, Aidil, Halim, Rosli, Patrick, Amir, Azhar, Kai
Subs: Bob, Juffry, Saiful, Mok, Joe, Fairus, Hazri

Redbacks Make It Count

Redbacks: 3
Macheda: 2

Venue: Serangoon Secondary School
Scorers: Mikael (3)
Assist: Fairus

For once, it was great to see the Redbacks turn up at the game before our opponents. We lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with the returning Oggy in goal, Azhar, Sani, William and Aidil playing in defence, Joe, Fai, debutant Amir and Jaz in midfield and Kai and Mikael in attack.

Macheda scored first after Azhar fouled one of their players just outside the box. They scored direct from the free kick with the ball bursting through the net. Stunned, the Spiders swung into action. The midfield struggled throughout the first half, much like what happened to Singapore the night before. To make matters worse, Jaz had to limp out of the game due to an injury.

Then, a game-changing event. Hidayat broke clear of the defence after being put through by Mikael. Under pressure, a Macheda defender brought down Hidayat. Being the last man, the referee had no choice but to send the player off for a professional foul. However, even with a man down, Macheda proved to be a very tough nut to crack.

Against the odds, Macheda pulled further ahead. Another free kick conceded, another great attempt, another goal. 2-0 to Macheda. Were the Spiders staring a third straight defeat? Thankfully, we managed to pull a goal back just before half-time. Hidayat and Kai combined to release Mikael down the left side. The striker still had much to do but he powered past all challengers and slammed the ball into the net via a deflection. We were back in the game!

In the second half, multiple substitutions were made. With the one man advantage, the Spiders had to utilize the rolling subs if we were to get anything from the game. One crucial change made was Samy coming into goal. He was called into action early in the half, responding well to punch the ball away after a Macheda player had been put through.

Azhar had a chance to score when he spotted the goalkeeper off his line. Unfortunately his attempt came back off the crossbar. Misery for the Spiders. Was it going to be tour day?

With the Spiders pushing forward in search for an equalizer, gaps were left at the back. Macheda soaked the pressure well and launched some dangerous counter attacks. Then, to everyone’s horror, we conceded a penalty. William brought a Macheda player down in the box. It was a killer sucker punch waiting to be delivered. Up stepped Samy who dove well to his right to palm the penalty away. Samy saves William’s bacon!

That crucial save gave the Spiders belief that the game was there to be taken. Had the penalty gone in, it would have been curtains for sure. Not too long later, the Redbacks won our own penalty. Azhar was brought down in the box as he was pursuing a deep free kick. Mikael scored the penalty but it was ordered to be re-taken after Alfiah encroached into the penalty area as the kick was being taken. Mikael kept his nerve and stroked the penalty home at the second attempt.

Macheda almost took the lead through yet another free kick. However, we were relieved to see the ball come back off the crossbar. The tide was finally turning.

Finally, the Spiders took the lead late into the game. Mok found Fairus on the left flank. Fairus then played a superb ball into the area to Mikael. Mikael controlled the ball well and applied a clinical finish to send the Redbacks into a frenzy. A hat-trick for Mikael and a victory for the Spiders. A tough game against formidable opponents with fortunate circumstances. It could have been so different but we came through in the end.

FORZA REDBACKS!

Team (4-4-2): Oggy, Azhar, Sani, Aidil, William, Joe, Jaz, Amir, Fairus, Kai, Mikael
Subs: Samy, Mok, Alfiah, Hidayat, Wan, Aziz, Bob, Halim

Special mention goes to Yusman for turning up and supporting the team.

A Giveaway

Redbacks: 0
Industmarine: 1

Venue: Commonwealth Secondary

An unfortunate loss for the Spiders. We kicked off with only 9 players with several others turning up late for the game. The only goal was conceded early in the game, the numerical disadvantage proving too much for the team. We hope to see punctuality from all players in the future.

There was no urgency in our game. Apart from a few players, the others just did not turn up. After scoring the goal, Industmarine were content to just sit back and soak the pressure in the second half. Chances were minimal with attempts on goal far in between. Maybe the lazy Sunday afternoon was taking its toll on the players.

This is the second game we have failed to score a goal, a worrying situation for the Spiders. With the absence of Mikael and the loss of Azhar through injury, who can we depend on to deliver the goals? Just when we are beginning to shape up defensively, a new complication has surfaced.

Either way, we hope for an improved performance in our next game. Hopefully, everyone will be up to the challenge to return the Spiders to winning ways.

Forza Redbacks.

Order of Red Kappa Jerseys

The unity of a team is symbolized by the shirt that they wear on the pitch. In order to combat the strip “irregularities” plaguing the team recently, we will be taking orders for players who do not have the red Kappa jersey of Redbacks Amateur Football Club.

The Set includes:
1) Red top
2) Red shorts
3) Red socks
4) Printing of number and name

The Set will cost less than $40 each, depending on the number of orders we receive. We will be collecting $40 from the players and any difference will be returned to them upon completion of the order. If you have any difficulty in paying the full amount, please approach any member of the Exco so that we can make proper arrangements.

The following numbers are available:
8, 10, 17, 19, 25-27, 29-44, 46-76 and 78-99

Please provide the payment, number of choice and name to be printed to Jaz. Numbers will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis. You pay it, you keep it. Cut-off date to make reservations and payment will be on the 30th November 2009.

Forza Redbacks.

A Total Collapse!

Total Football: 4
Redbacks: 0

Venue: Siglap Secondary School

A second-half collapse saw the Spiders succumb to their first defeat this season, leaving our captain and chief tactician, Azhar, much to think about. Without Samy nor Izan available, Fai found himself between the sticks today. Rizal volunteered to be the sweeper, assisted by Sani and Kai in the middle with Aidil and Alfiah operating as full-backs. Jo started in midfield alongside Jaz, Mok and Yasser. Azhar was the lone striker.

Total Football offered little threat in the first half, with the defense dealing comfortably with what was thrown at them. Redbacks were content to sit back and soak the offense, while trying to make the most of whatever counter-attacks that we could come up with. Alfiah was the standout performer in the backline once again, doing more than what was required to ensure that the defense was not breached. The first half ended goalless.

Many players were introduced at the break. That unsettled the team a bit and allowed a Total Footballer to take centre stage. Firdaus Paijan, remember the name. The son of renowned coach Tohari Paijan had been identified by D2D to be one of the key players of the team and on this day, he proved to be the difference. Spotting a gap in the middle, Firdaus literally burst through the middle and hit a stiff shot past Fai. However, one would feel that we let him through too easily.

Buoyed by the goal, Total Football piled on the pressure. However, the Redbacks had a few good chances to equalize. Rizal tested his luck with a free kick that the goalkeeper fumbled. Hilmi used all of his speed to get to the rebound but the goalkeeper managed to get to the ball first. Firdaus made his mark on the game again, taking advantage of some loose defending to score the second of the game. He went on tormenting the Redbacks’ defense. After beating Aziz down the left side, he squared the ball for his teammate to score with a simple tap-in. A fourth goal was added late in the game to further compound the Spiders’ misery. With everyone wilting in the scorching afternoon heat, the final whistle brought much relief and disappointment at tasting our first defeat.

Despite the heavy defeat, spirits remain high in the camp and we hope this will just be a one-off letdown. We must take heart at a solid first-half performance and look to improve our fitness so that we can maintain our performance, especially if we need to play a 3pm game again! Players must be prepared to play for one another and fight till the very end. To concede 4 goals in a single half when you’re playing a defensive formation just will not do. There are still many more games to be played and we should look forward to them and aim to make a mark in Division 3 this season. Rest well and see everyone next weekend!

Forza Redbacks!

Team (5-4-1): Fairoz, Rizal, Sani, Kai, Aidil, Alfiah, Jo, Jaz, Mok, Yasser, Azhar
Subs: Hilmi, Halim, Yusman, Aziz, Taufiq