It is often said that good players age like wine and bad ones turn like milk... And rightfully so, alot of senior players are showing the young olds the way when the going gets tough. Last week saw the welcome of Francis with a goal and an assist to bring us to victory, and this week, it took another old bird to make sure we bag the full three points.
Kar Fatt certainly wants to be associated with wine than the latter as he powers in a header that almost broke the net when it seems like Tusser had ran out of steam. Welcome back Kar Fatt and its really pleasing to see the joy on your face after you scored the goal.
Well, yet another hot hot day against another team of ang mohs. Pitch was in terrible condition yet again (makes me wonder if we are getting our money worth) and Tusser had to take quite a while to get used to the adverse conditions. Real took the intiative by speeding into the start of a first half. The splendid play ended off with a dismal cross from the left wing, which caught Tusser on the back foot.
However, the experience in the midfield trio of Hao, Jit Tong and Lanxer wasn't going to let it happen. Few changes in the starting XI from last week. Francis came on as the lone striker, and Kian Peng started on the right wing. The staple of our defence, Weida and Kok Hom together with Wan Yuan and Eugene completed the fantastic four. Derrick Tan and Wen jie retained their positions.
So, Tusser started stroking the ball with ease again and though chances were sparse, the play and commitment of the players were encouraging. Lanxer looked brighter than usual as he started to show why he is the captain of the elites, as he used his height and passing to good use. The first of Tussers' goals was created by a long and accurate ball frm Eugene which met the foot of an equally brilliant Derek who first broke the offside trap and volleying in the favour from Eugene. While Tusser were still soaking in the celebrations, Real struck and took the lights off from Tusser. After some careless dwindling in the right back area, Real won an all important corner that lead to their equaliser. A well taken kick was matched by a strong header from Real No. 20 with Wenjie caught in no man's land. One chance one goal... And the only job from Wenjie in the first half was to pick the ball out of the net.
Second half started with some more changes and a new 4-4-2 formation. Tusser dropped the direct approach and began stringing shorter and quick passes. More chances were created but whatever Tusser threw at Real, the opposition seemed to have an answer for it as their goal was kept intact for most of the second half. Shern had a glorious opportunity to play hero when he piroutted gracefully past 2 defenders on the right but decided to go for goal himself and blasted it wide. Daniel looked lively and was creating all sorts of trouble for the back peddling Real, who really looked contented to hug on to the one point. Derrick also created another chance as he sent in a low hard ball across goal but there was not a single white shirt at the end of it. At this point, only a moment of brilliance could unlock the stubborn Real goal.
But... Kar Fatt had the answer.
A superb corner was met by the on rushing Kar Fatt to bring Tusser back into a deserving lead. From then on, both sides knew that the result was concluded. Tusser began playing a "come-and-get-me" game, working the ball around the field to frustrate the tiring Real. Jit Tong was playing a fantastic game and never looked like losing the ball once as he cleverly orchestrated the play. And to add salt to the Real wound, Jit Tong took the Reals for a run in the penalty area before squaring the ball for Hao to coolly slot the shot into the bottom left corner.
Derek could have added another goal to his tally and put the icing on the cake but his right footed shot went inches wide.
So it was 3-1 for Tusser and another hard fought victory into the record books.
Well done lads!!
