Unido FC gets back into action in the league against SHCFC after their giant-killing FA cup feat. The pitch looks like its going to pose some problems to their passing game as they hope to close in on the league leaders. Key midfielder Sze Wee has pulled out of the game due to a freak accident. Tough luck, but all the best to him in his recovery process. Hopefully the team wouldn’t miss too much of his intercepting and passing prowess. Both teams take their place on the pitch and surprising SHCFC has fielded only 10 players! Not too sure if they are too confident or the players simply lack commitment. Nevertheless SHCFC looks imposing with several towering players.
The match gets underway. Unido FC is looking a bit edgy, as the players try to get used to controlling the ball on the bumpy pitch. A few passes went strayed as the ball bobbled around. However, Unido soon controls the game, stringing passes around the defence and midfield, and spreading the ball out to the flanks. Their patience pays off as the wingers and fullbacks slice through the defence, threading onto through passes from the middle. They take shots, square the ball, cross the ball and were rewarded with 6 goals in the first half. Boyan starting the goal rout, snapping in a shot from his overlapping run. Unido gains confidence as the floodgates open up with further goals from Shian, Junqiang and not to mention a hat-trick from Jeff. SHCFC had a sniff at goal with a shot from their number 7, Mamat after his trickery created space between two Unido defenders, but that was easily dealt with by Unido’s keeper. The keeper and the defence have been communicating well, dealing with incoming balls easily.
The whistle blows and both team trudge to the bench to take a well-deserved break. Unido is rocked by words from the man in black that SHCFC is contemplating a walkout on the match. As a show of sportsmanship, Unido “loans” Reuben to SHCFC and manages to persuade them to carry on with the game.
The second half resumes with 11 men vs 11, but the same old story continues. Unido remains in control of the game as the defenders and midfielders push up further to press for more goals. The midfield is constantly winning the ball and starting off the attacks with passes through the middle, as well as down the flanks. The pressure pays off with 5 further goals from Ben (finally getting his long awaited chance to play on the left wing), Terence, Chun Seng and Shian (twice) who completes his hat-trick. Looks like he got to fight it out with Jeff to bring home the match ball! Attacking chances for SHCFC are limited as Unido’s midfield and defence relentlessly cuts out any passes. Mamat from SHCFC tries hard to bring his team back into the game but was let down by a lack of support from his teammates.
The final whistle brings the match to a close. Credits to SHCFC for showing sportsmanship in not abandoning the game. They put up a tough fight but Unido’s determination to place pressure on the league leaders somehow edged them out.
Monday, February 1, 2010
