The moment Tusser got to Katong and saw the condition of the field. Everyone just wants to turn their head back and go home. The condition of the field was atrocious, it looks like a replica of a rice paddy and we the buffalo. Nevertheless, we took on the field and start to slog our life for the 3 points we yearn for.
The game started at a rather slow speed, maybe it’s because every players trying to end the game with a clean shirt. However, this was not to be. In the 10th min, Tusser’s defence slipped up as the opponent managed to squeeze a through ball to their striker who calmly put past our No. 1 keeper. Though the striker was in a possible offside position, however, the referee refused to hear any explanation.
With a goal down, Tusser starts to take over control of the game and starts to threaten the opponent’s goal. Chances were plentiful, but the same story goes again as our strikers kept firing blanks. (Got to wake up strikers!)
Half-time: Tusser Rangers 0 United FC 1
After some pep talk and see our arrival of our VIP, Mr. Morimoto. Tusser’s morale was rocket high. Tusser started the game with much penetration into the opponent’s half and every attack seems like it would end with a goal. However, the opponent’s keeper must have just came back from a visit to the 4-face-Buddha in Thailand as every shot the strikers took, the ball went straight to him.
As the clock ticked away, Tusser must be wondering what they had to do in order to score. A pass from Zhen Hao whose ball floated past the entire opponent’s defence leaving Erwin through on goal which he took it brilliantly past the keeper.
Confidence starts creeping into Tusser and began to stamp their authority over the game. Tusser pressed on and went on in search for more goals. The opportunity arises when the opponent’s keeper mis-kicked a goal kick after he was mesmerized by Derek’s Indian dance. The ball landed in front of Wan who waited for no 2nd chance and took a 1st timed shot 35m away. Goal!!! 2-1 to Tusser.
With a goal up, Tusser doesn’t looks like holding on to the lead, Tusser kept pressing on for another goal. And boy, they were rewarded after a nice exchange of passes between the midfielders that got Shern free on the right wing. With defenders closing in on Shern, he took a look up and puts in a cross that went unusually high hoping to meet the in coming Kar Fatt. It was not to be as the opponent’s keeper came rushing out to meet the cross. When everyone thought it was a good keeping, but to everyone’s surprise he let slipped the ball and gave Kar Fatt a belated New Year gift as Kar Fatt slots in home for Tusser to take a 3-1 lead!
With 10mins left in the game, and for no reason Tusser starts to give away possession loosely, allowing the opponent to push forward and trouble the defence. Then came a corner for the opponent, the ball wasn’t cleared far enough and allowed the opponent to take a shot. With a line of players in front of Wenjie, which looks like a police road block, nobody would have guessed that the shot would actually went in. Anyhow, the ball managed to find its way past the road block and into the net.
With the score at 3-2, Tusser was told to play a 5-3-2 formation to protect the lead. However, there wasn’t any hot spot available at Katong and further more, Captain Da forgot to bring this Wi-Fi card. Thus, the message wasn’t passed down to the players. This proved costly as each and every players started to pull back and allow the opponent time to actually play the game. In the final minute, the opponent winger managed to break free on their left wing and sent in a well weighted cross that flew over Da. However, Alvin was just right behind Da to clear the ball. But things just don’t go well today as Alvin’s clearance header resulted in the ball landing in front of the opponent striker who just had to tap in as Wenjie was already off position trying to cover the cross.
That goal was also the last attempt on goal as the referee blew for full time whistle shortly after the kick-off. This result wasn’t what we desire or deserve. However, we shouldn’t ponder over it too and much lesson can be learnt from here. Let us just reflect and move on with the league.
