slowwllyy lar...

Match: NJC 1-1 RJC Scorers: Aziz (NJC), Fairuz (RJC) Venue: NJC Line-up: 1) Kaixiang, Adzfar, Weifan, Kinyip, Joseph, Soo Tet, Zhihao, Chun Yat (Oliver), Geoffrey, Chang Wen, Peiqian 2) Mark, Wenjuin, Weifan, Kinyip, Joseph, Oliver, Zhihao, Peiqian, Geoffrey (Soo Tet), Chun Yat, Randy (Fairuz) The weather was very scary. Sometimes it was drizzling, so we went out to warm up. Then suddenly, there was lightning so we had to scamper back to shelter. Then when we went out to warm up again, again a lightning struck. Finally, the rain subsided and the match could go on. First half. NJ had more of the ball possession, their defence could cut out our passes quite efficiently and would often spread the play out wide. But they didn't trouble us with aerial balls which they should have, given that both their strikers are head and shoulders talller than all of our defenders. It was very scrappy. We didn't really play to a passing rhythm, which was our target objective of the day. Our play was too cramped in the middle, with our widemen preferring to come inside rather than stretching play out wide. This was probably due to a lack of movement off the ball, which could have seen more dynamic passing play. We also seem to break down too easily in the middle of the park, because we hesitate on the ball, fail to look up to consider our options. We probably should call for the ball more often. We didn't even practise that drill to get the ball out of defence, preferring to pump instead. A lot of foul throws too. Not good. And for some rough challenges, Zhihao and Adzfar were booked. But the tackles were fair. Its alright. Some good passages of play though. A throw in down the right by Adzfar saw good swapping movement between Chang Wen and Geoffrey that left the NJ defenders dumbstruck as to who was getting the ball. We won a corner off that play. Also, Joseph battled hard to win the ball on the half-line, then threaded a through pass in the between their defence. That put Peiqian through but his shot from a tight angle managed to hit the side of the net. Also, Soo Tet and Chang Wen played a nice overlap down the right, off an Adzfar throw in. Second half saw some changes. But I think NJ were having a fatter share of possession. The mud-filled pitch only made our legs even heavier when we run. Balls always got stuck in between a pass. Our passing gameplan seemed to be abandoned altogether, as we got more tired. They became more menacing with their passing as our midfield sat deeper and deeper, giving them more space to exploit. Chun Yat found space on the left and he sent a decent cross into the box, right at the feet of Randy, but the latter couldn't control the slippery ball. It rolled to Oliver on the right, but his attempted layoff to Peiqian who was screaming for the ball fell short when he slipped and fell. They could have gone in front with a free kick just a few minutes after I came on. A deep cross was only cleared off the goal thanks to the alert head of Soo Tet, with 2 or 3 players puffing down his neck. Then, they won a corner. We failed to clear the ball completely and failed to push up. They sent back a right wing cross deep and hard and found the outstretched legs of Aziz (who's their star goalie, but playing upfront for fun) and into the opposite corner of the net. Beautiful! 1-0 to NJ. Only about 10 mins left and we knew we had to pour forward to salvage something from the game. Joseph intercepted their ball on the left channel and threaded a forward pass to Soo Tet, who was in space. He chipped brilliantly over the backpedalling defence. I wanted to volley it but the bounce was too high. Instead, the ball cannonned off their 2 centrebacks and I sneaked in between to smack it to the roof of the net. Phew. 1-1. Soon, we were attacking but both sides seem contented with a draw. And so it ended. 1-1. Penalty shoot out followed, for practice purposes and for fun also. We missed our first 2 as they slotted home their first 2. But we scored all our last 5 while they could only hit 3 in, thus we edged them out on penalties. All in all, a nightmare in terms of passing. But still there's time for improvement. Cheerios~ Things i need improvement on: 1) Looking up when the ball's on my feet. That will allow me to assess my passing options and the free space around me. Ball skills must improve so i will have more confidence on the ball. 2) Linking back with midfield. I tend to only think about going forward, but sometimes, the midfielders are better positioned to either have a crack at goal or to spread play. I must communicate and learn to keep possession better, which means i need strength to shield the ball. Weights! 3) Taking the ball past defenders. Need to work on pace, which means short sprints. First touch must be good too, and must always have off the ball running to create free space for myself.