Woodlands - Myjia's stuttering form continued when they lost 2-1 to an experienced East Malay side on Saturday.
Myjia's flying winger Delvin Ng was missing from the lineup owing to a loan deal with Hong Kong's Happy Valley FC. And so it was, his searing pace was much missed as Myjia poured forward in the late stages of the game trying to salvage a point from the fast tiring legs of the opponents - but to no avail.
Last season's corresponding fixture saw East Malay score a late winner over Myjia for a 4-3 win and they showed their intent right from the first whistle with a series of crisp passing and sharp movement that left Myjia players chasing shadows.
It was only due to a lack of understanding and sharpness from the East Malay forwards coupled with an excellent reading and an effective offside trap ably marshalled by veteran skipper Vincent Low that kept the score at 0-0 until the 37th minute.
A rare moment of misjudgement by Vincent created space for the opposition forward to thread a pass through but was intentionally handled outside the box by the skipper as he tried to rescue the situation. Raymond, back in goal for Myjia, laid up a three man wall only for the forward to strike a sweet left footed drive past him.
Chia Junhao, had several attempts to level the score for Myjia but was either denied by some great defending or uncharacteristically snuffing the chance. On one occasion, having dribbled past the entire defence, Junhao somewhat managed to miscue his shot when the goal and the keeper was at his mercy. On another occasion, a superb lob was heading towards goal only to bounce just in front of the goal line and over the bar. If there was a word to describe Myjia during the first period, it has to be Unlucky.
1-0 the score at halftime and Vincent did his usual peptalk and the team were fired up for the second half. The manner which Myjia played their football never once showed their confidence had dropped despite being a goal down nor did it show that the team were trailing.
The team pressed forward with urgency, urged on by a determined Junhao. By the 63rd minute, Myjia were levelled. Some neat exchanges of passes were played from defence to midfield and when the ball left the "modified" boots of Leong Wai Meng, Junhao had escaped his marker and deftly flicked the ball with his outstep for Myjia's equaliser.
The Myjia travelling fans cheered the goal in the stands in what is fast becoming Junhao's trademark goal - the lob.
Myjia were much the superior team at this stage of the game. Player-manager Vincent Low then proceeded to make a monumental mistake, not for the first time this season by his own admission.
Pushing himself further upfield and leaving the defence lacking in experience with Aaron Tan, Sunny Rai, Wilkin Tan and Ng Yongchun lacking a figurehead to set up the impressive-in-the-first-half offside trap.
The warning signs were there when the game seemingly opened up as attacks were launched simultaneously from both sides.
Sunny had a thunderous shot saved by the keeper's legs and when the ball rebounded at speed towards Ronnie Low, the lanky striker failed to keep his composure and the chance went abegging.
Wai Meng too had his fair share of shooting chances during the game and one long range attempt just flew narrowly wide much to his frustration.
On the other side of the pitch, Myjia defenders were working overtime and the effort from every defender were there for all to see as high balls after high balls were headed clear time and time again. Tackles were coming in fast and furious with Yongchun and Wilkin impressing as fullbacks so much so that the former eventually suffered cramps and had to be replaced.
Unfortunately for Myjia, the experience of East Malay eventually showed against an inexperienced Myjia defence. All it took was one fine through pass that dissected the right of Myjia defence and Raymond was left exposed in an one on one situation.
Even though he managed a hand to the shot, there was too much power and the ball slided past the Myjia custodian into the bottom corner. 2-1 to East Malay, much to the agony of Myjia.
As the minutes ticked closer to the final whistle, Wai Meng had a last throw of the dice when he skipped past a defender and raced goalward. A quick glance up failed to spot any fellow attackers and he was then intent on putting in a shot. Alas, the shot lacked power as his legs gave way and that piece of action was to be the last meaningful attack by Myjia.
1-2 the final scoreline and Vincent gentlemanly apologised for his tactical error, "I shouldn't have pushed myself up with the score tied at one apiece. It was too risky a move that unfortunately didn't pay off. Rest assured the mistake will not be repeated. My apologies team."
OTHER NEWS
Myjia youngster Ebenzer Low will be out for up to eight weeks as he suffered yet another freak accident.
Ebenzer was carrying a table when the table slipped from his grasp and ended up on his foot. The result - a hairline fracture of his first metatarsal on the left foot.
Youth player Ryan Low made his fifth appearance of the season on Saturday and his progress was evident. Showing more running and even a little touch of toughness in his tackling, more will be keenly expected of Ryan next year when he will be hitting a growth spurt.
Last but not least, Wilson Tan has won a prize money of $25,000 - equivalent of SG$35.20 from team mate Leong Wai Meng when he thrashed Wai Meng 6 frames to 1 in a game of billiards.
Wilson now holds the official title of 2007/08 Three Hour Billiards Championship Winner.
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