Kranji-Myjia FFC showed their class and never say die attitude in a match which Myjia suffer a 5-4 defeat against Kranji Warrior.
Myjia reliable shot stopper Raymond Tan, Pacy fullback Ng YongChun, Giant stopper Sunny Rai and Lanky striker Ronnie Low were missing from the squad which faced Kranji Warriors. Their presence were sorely missed by Myjia through out the game.
Due to the incessant rain island-wide in Singapore for the past week, the pitch was in a condition which was almost unplayable. However the official in charge of the game indicated that the game could be carry on. Delight was the word to describe the feeling of players in both camp when the green light for the match was given to play this much anticipated match.
Before the match,Player-manager Vincent had to rack his brain on who he should sent out for the starting eleven despite having pacy winger Delvin Ng return from Happy Valley Fc. Vincent begin with his usual pep-talk before naming the starting line up with chief striker Junhao starting in goal and Aaron starting upfront as a striker with Roy having to fill the boots of Sunny as stopper.
Myjia start of the game with lack of composure due to the muddy condition and allowed Kranji Warrior to dominate opening stages of the game. The Warrior kept attacking Myjia but came to no avail as Myjia defence which was marshalled by experience lastman Vincent played the offside trap well.
With the constant attack from the Warrior, Vincent made changes again. Aaron which started as a striker had to which with Roy which possesses pace and aerial ability that will pose a threat to the Warriors defence. The switch turn out to be a wise move by the player-manager as Myjia began to regain more composure in the game and string a few passes together.
Myjia then manage to break down the attack of the Warrior through midfield general Waimeng who was appointed a more defensive role for the game. Myjia then launch a few attack down the left flank thru the pace and wonderful touches of fullback Delvin and winger Wilson which cause many problems for the Warrior defence.
On the 19th minute, it was Myjia who drew first blood through tenacious midfielder Kenneth Koh who start the match with a more attacking role and got his eight goal of the season. Kenneth made an nicely timed run to latch on a through pass. He then outpace the Warrior defenders leaving him with only a tight angle for a shot. Kenneth with his composure, he made no mistake and lauch a powerful shot to the far corner leaving the keeper no chance at all.
1-0 to Myjia who began to play with more composure. Winger Jackson than came on for striker Eric to inject more pace into the game. Jackson, Delvin and Wilson link up well on the left flank and cause many problem. The Warrior defenders had very little time on the ball as Myjia players kept closing them down quickly.
Myjia then won a freekick down the right flank after Jackson was tackled by the fullback. A beautifully taken freekick put Kenneth through on goal. With the confidence from the first goal he was expected to take a shot on goal. However, he squared the ball to winger Jackson to only be call back for offside
Myjia than continue to build on their impressive play and got to increase the lead. With many quick one touch soccer down the left flank, talented winger Wilson Tan was given the job to attack after being played through. He took the ball into his stride and controlled it well. A sudden burst of pace caught his marker. He then cut the ball slightly to the centre before unleashing a spectacular chip past the approaching Warrior keeper for his first goal of the season. Great work down the flank by the talented winger.
After taking the lead, Myjia were under constant pressure by the Warrior. The Warrior manage to break the offside trap layed by the Myjia defence many times but however they were denied by the heroics of makeshift keeper Chia Junhao.
The match took a cruel twist of fate and Warriors netted two goals through errors from the defence and were back in the running.
Myjia then tried to fight back and continue to create chances down the flank. However the Warriors who are on cloud nine after the equaliser manage to break down the attack.
First half ended with two goals a piece. During the break, Vincent make another shuffle to the formation hoping that Myjia would be able to get the upper hand again. Boosted by the half time team talk, Myjia players headed for the field with confidence for the second period.
Warriors began the second period like how the started with the first by dominating possession and kept attacking Myjia defence. On the 52th minute, the break through for the Warrior came when a free kick which was taken outside the penalty area slip through keeper Junhao hands only leaving the striker to strike it in to the empty net.
To be fair to the keeper, he had a good game despite the error as he had to play in a position he was unfamiliar with and had no proper goalkeeping gear.
3-2 down Myjia made another switch by putting Aaron in goal and chief striker Junhao back in to the attack hoping to push for an equaliser. Despite being more offensive, Warrior continued to be the dominant force in the game with more possession and numerous attack. Playing against a team which close down very quickly, Myjia midfielders had difficulty keeping possession and launch attack of their own.
On the hour mark, Warrior played a midfielder through the Myjia defence. He was through on goal only to fall theatrically after a slight nudge from midfield Leong Waimeng and to Myjia dismay, the referee blew the whistle and pointed to the spot for a penalty. Waimeng was clearly shock by the decision as the Warrior midfielder had gone down with a slightest of touch. Bad decision from the referee but play had to continue. Warrior striker took the penalty in style by sending Aaron the wrong way. 4-2 was the scoreline on the scoreboard.
Despite being 4-2 down, Myjia then launch their own attack with slick passing between players. After many good passes, a neat through pass by Vincent put Junhao through only for the referee to blow the whistle for offside.
A quick freekick set Warrior winger free from a marker who have enough time and space to swing in a cross. With the approaching Aaron who had the intention of punching the ball into safety slip allowing Warrior striker to head it into an empty net. Myjia defence was caught napping.
Despite being 5-2 down, Myjia players were all but disheartened and dejected. Instead they were fired up and began to settle into the rhythm of the game passing the ball around. Kenneth Koh had a chance on goal after dribbling down the flank. However outside the area, he make one pass too many and gave Warrior defender a chance to clear the ball.
On the 75th minute, Myjia attack finally paid dividend with a goal after a long ball from the defence put chief striker Junhao through on goal. After a beautifully control of the ball, all he was left to do was to put the ball back of the net. Junhao make no mistake by flicking the ball past the approaching keeper to score a goal which might put Myjia back into the contention.
With Warrior lead being cut down to two, Myjia continue to play with the never-say-die attitude and attack. On the 80th minute, Myjia pulled another goal back. Waimeng who was played though on goal after switching a few neat passes make no mistake to put the ball past the keeper. 5-4 was the scoreline as Myjia players were now on cloud nine thinking that they could make an amazing comeback.
However they failed to score the important equaliser after constant attack which was breakdown by the stubborn Warrior defence. With seconds left on the clock, Junhao was once again played through on goal by Waimeng however only be stop by a two footed challenge by the keeper. Myjia appealed for a penalty only be wave away. The penalty appeal was also the last piece of action of the game. Dream of making an amazing comeback was ended.
Myjia FFC suffer another defeat yet again. However despite suffering another defeat, it was a performance which was worthy of a praise. Myjia will be hopping to go into the new year period with a victory after recent inconsistency.
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