Match Report 11/2/2007 - Yung Ho Field

Starting Lineup
Yasir – Keeper
Back Four – Saw& Remi , Hafiz , Fariq
Midfield – Fuad & Wan , Wahid , Zam
Forwards – Cheang & Botak

Mandai FC started well in the first half. The back four led by Remi & Saw played extremely comfortably and this gave the midfield players much confidence. We had more than 75% of the ball possession throughout the game. Many opportunities were created by the hardworking midfield , ably managed by Fuad and Wan. Despite the absence of Tomy , Zam & Wahid played extremely well , providing good long balls for the forwards. Poor finishing by Cheang ( he missed about 5 sitters!!) made the team look poor. Botak had several good chances as well but the hard ground provided much bad bounce of the ball.

Three of Fuad’s friends joined us for the game. Though young in age, these players demonstrate good potential.
Second half replacements Sham for Botak , Mat Nor at right back for Hafiz & Adi for Wan gave Mandai added speed & urgency. The players showed good understanding with sharp off the ball runs and Fuad continued to win much of the midfield loose balls.

Sham rocked the opposition posts twice and one of Fuad’s young friends playing on right midfield also had two good tries.

With 10 minutes of play left , a call for off side against the opponents were not picked up by the referee. Saw tried to cover up with a chase but the opponent side stepped both keeper and last man to slot home the one and only goal for the game.

With 5 minutes left , Cheang came back on to defy Nature’s regression on the old and tired legs. He almost scored with only keeper to beat after being let loose by Botak’s brilliant through ball. Keeper got the better of the situation with his body and the following lob back into the six yard box by Sham was headed off target by Cheang. One last minute attempt at goal by Fariq’s direct run at goal were thwarted again by the on rushing keeper. The loose ball came back to Cheang with only an open goal to tap in. However , he over ran and by the time he turned back, the opponent fullbacks were on to him.

Overall the team enjoyed the game and good weather despite the score line. The team work and light hearted jokes were great at keeping the friendly game atmosphere.

Adi , Sham & Mat Nor shows good potential. Excellent individual skills and also very cool playing as a team.

Final Score: Mandai United 0 Opponents 1
Keep up the momentum and lets look forward to more friendlies.