The Better Team Did Not Win
Mclucky FC vs Weide's Friend's Team (WFT)
(hmm better start asking these teams to get a proper team name... it's tiring when u try to think of
names for them...)
Report: U-Noe-Who aka YZ
Time: 9.35am
Venue: Tanglin Field (yes... yet another "ulu" location within the confined spaces of Singapore...
amazing how they find space to allocate such fields...)
Starting Line-Up: Zollin (GK), Chun Wei (DR), Huzer (DC), Wei De (DC)(c), Zhan Wei (DL),
Ben (MR), Rayner (MC), Siu Chun (MC), Kee Yong (ML), Elson (ST), Boon Wee (ST)
(hmm better start asking these teams to get a proper team name... it's tiring when u try to think of
names for them...)
Report: U-Noe-Who aka YZ
Time: 9.35am
Venue: Tanglin Field (yes... yet another "ulu" location within the confined spaces of Singapore...
amazing how they find space to allocate such fields...)
Starting Line-Up: Zollin (GK), Chun Wei (DR), Huzer (DC), Wei De (DC)(c), Zhan Wei (DL),
Ben (MR), Rayner (MC), Siu Chun (MC), Kee Yong (ML), Elson (ST), Boon Wee (ST)
4-4-2 Formation
Subs: Leslie, Sin Cheng, Ah Hao (Sin Cheng's Friend), Nicky (Hey...Guess who's back)
Pre - Match Commentary
On a three game losing streak, the McLucky lads were eager to prove their mettle as they travelled to Tanglin Field to meet "Weide's Friend's Team". Tough luck though, as mother nature had the final say when it suddenly began to rain just before the stipulated kick off time. Fortunately the downpour subsided and we managed to reach Tanglin Field via taxi (but not before the standard procedure or "horlan-ing" along Holland Road). Singapore must be really running short on space...with the Integrated Resort and other land development projects coming up.
Special guest Zollin was invited to be McLucky's goalkeeper for the match as the team's goalkeeping woes have yet to be resolved. (Any "zai" keeper who thinks you have got what it takes, please contact Wei De by leaving a message on the tagboard). More substitutes were also available this time, with the highlight being the appearance of Nicky (remember him?). Let's hope he doesn't leave at half-time again this time, whatever the reason. =X
The referee called upon this time to officiate the match seemed imposing and fit. Got the "zai" look. Hopefully he will be more mobile and be less fussy on the throw-in procedures compared to the previous referees.
1st Half Highlights
Fast and furious play on a yet-again wet pitch, albeit with less mud. Th referee awards a free-kick to the opposition on the left, just outside McLucky's penalty box. No.4 hits the ball with power and pace, but the inviting ball curls past the right post. WFT get the first goal of the game in the 5th minute, when No.11 runs onto a long ball and shoots it past the keeper. 1-0 to WFT
McLucky make a substitution when Leslie replaces Huzer in the 7th minute. Huzer exits the pitch with an apparent hamstring problem. Leslie moves to central midfield while Rayner drops back to central defence. An attacking move in the 12 minute sees Kee Yong laying the ball through to Boon Wee, who then passes the ball to Ben. Ben whips in a dangerous cross but the opponents clear it for a corner. The resulting corner is a poor one as Kee Yong puts the ball out of play immediately.
A long ball in the 16th minute by Kee Yong is chased down by Boon Wee, but the WFT keeper rushes out of his goal and collects the ball. The introduction of Leslie made the difference when he was involved in the build-up play that resulted in McLucky's equaliser in the 20th minute. Boon Wee receives Leslie's pass and lays it off for Ben. He puts in a low cross and Kee Yong finishes the move by bulging the net with the ball. 1-1 and it's all square
Shortly after kick-off, Elson is substituted out and Nicky replaces him as a striker. In the 21st minute of play, Boon Wee chases down yet another long ball from the McLucky half. He gets his shot in from a tight angle on the right but the WFT keeper saves it rather comfortably. McLucky make yet another substitution when Zhan Wei and Ben are taken out. Ah Hao slots in at left back while Sin Cheng moves to the right wing.
McLucky almost took the lead in the 25th minute when Boon Wee shoots on goal. The ball deflects off the keeper and Nicky gets on the end of the loose ball. Unfortunately he hesitates a tad too long and is muscled off the ball. Defenders clear the ball away from the WFT goalmouth. Confidence in the McLucky camp is growing as players start lining up to shoot the ball. In the 26th minute, Siu Chun shoots from long range after getting the ball off No. 5 but the ball goes over the bar.
The referee awards WFT yet another free-kick near McLucky's penalty box. No. 4, the opponent's designated dead-ball kicker, curls the ball over the bar. The opponents get a lucky breakthrough in the 34th minute when No.5 tries his luck from long range. The grounder is slowed down by the mud on the pitch but Zollin hesitates before going in the opposite direction and is unable to stop it from rolling into the back of the net. What a bizarre goal. 2-1 to WFT
Nicky then gets a needless yellow card for obstructing play when he stands too close to the ball as the opponents try to take a free-kick towards the end of the first half. In the words of Wei De, "What's that for ???". McLucky almost equalise in the dying minutes of the first half when a free-kick is whipped across to the far post but Boon Wee misses the ball by a whisker as he slides across the ground and towards the goal.
Half Time
It was quite obvious that the McLucky lads were dictating the tempo of the game , but were unable to get the goals they needed. The mistake by our keeper also led to us going in behind at half-time.
However, spirits were high as we sensed that this could be the match that will end our winless streak. McLucky was doing well so minimal changes were made to the team tactics and starting line-up for the 2nd half. Huzer replaces Zollin as the keeper while Zhan Wei and Ben return to left back and right-mid respectively. Sin Cheng moves to the left wing while Kee Yong pushes up to pair up with Elson as McLucky's striking pair.
2nd Half Highlights
A free-kick is awarded in the 3rd minute of the second half. Leslie lines up the ball and gets ball into the opponent's six-yard box but Elson and Kee Yong are unable to reach the ball. McLucky break from the left in the 5th minute. Sin Cheng attempts to cross but the ball is blocked and goes out for a corner. From the resultant corner, Wei De slots home from close range after a goalmouth scramble. 2-2 Game on yet again
In the 10th minute of play, McLucky get a corner kick and Leslie gets in an inviting ball into the opponent's six-yard box, but the ball is cleared away from danger at the goalmouth. Substitutions for McLucky in the 20th minute when Siu Chun is taken off and replaced by Nicky. Ben comes off with a slight knock on the ankle and Ah Hao comes in for him.
Danger in the 28th minute as No. 14 chases down a long ball and goes one-on-one with Huzer. Fortunately Wei De rushes back and manages to put pressure on the striker, resulting in him shooting over the bar. McLucky nearly take the lead in the 36th minute of play when Kee Yong has a crack on goal from 20 yards out, but the opposition keeper dives to his right and punches the ball out to deny McLucky a well-deserved goal.
Ben comes back into play to replace Elson as full-time draws near. Nicky is now paired up with Kee Yong. In the 40th minute of play, the effervescent Leslie hits a freekick from outside WFT's penalty box. The ball sails over everyone and seemed to be destined for goal but the keeper punches the ball, hitting the crossbar in the process. WFT defenders frantically clear the ball behind the goal for a corrner. Leslie takes the corner and Wei De manages to connect with the cross, but the header, lacking in pace, allows the keeper to make an easy catch.
In the dying minutes of the second half, Nicky gets hold of the ball and shoots on goal after a goalmouth scramble as the McLucky lads give it one last shot and decide to throw the kitchen sink at WFT. To the horror of the players and the spectators, the ball shaves the left post and goes out for a goal-kick. Full time score: MFC 2 WFT 2
On another note, the referee gave out another yellow card in the closing stages of the second half when Zhan Wei was carded for a body charge on an opposition player. Good thing yellow cards aren't significant in friendly matches...hahaha...
Post Match Comments
McLucky deserved to win. It was as simple as that. We dictated the tempo of the game almost from the start till the end. Blame the keeper u say? One must remember that he is playing his first competitive match in who-knows-how-many years. He doesn't even fully understand what the team tactic is all about. So its back to the drawing block for McLucky's goalkeeping plans. We really need to get a decent (or at least half-decent) keeper. That is the most pressing issue at this moment, so anyone out there who is reading this blog, please feel free to leave a message on the tagboard if you think you have what it takes. If not, every match we would have to invite a "special guest" to help us out...hohoho...
Managed to listen in to what the referee had to say about McLucky FC's playing style. Apparently the last man needs to be more imposing and shout out instructions to his fellow defenders on watching the defence line, when to push up or when to fall back. He also noted that in Leslie, we have a competent playmaker and that we should pass the ball more often to him so that he can direct the play more often. There was also the goalkeeper issue, but let's not get to that again haha...
Here are the players' performance evaluation:
Subs: Leslie, Sin Cheng, Ah Hao (Sin Cheng's Friend), Nicky (Hey...Guess who's back)
Pre - Match Commentary
On a three game losing streak, the McLucky lads were eager to prove their mettle as they travelled to Tanglin Field to meet "Weide's Friend's Team". Tough luck though, as mother nature had the final say when it suddenly began to rain just before the stipulated kick off time. Fortunately the downpour subsided and we managed to reach Tanglin Field via taxi (but not before the standard procedure or "horlan-ing" along Holland Road). Singapore must be really running short on space...with the Integrated Resort and other land development projects coming up.
Special guest Zollin was invited to be McLucky's goalkeeper for the match as the team's goalkeeping woes have yet to be resolved. (Any "zai" keeper who thinks you have got what it takes, please contact Wei De by leaving a message on the tagboard). More substitutes were also available this time, with the highlight being the appearance of Nicky (remember him?). Let's hope he doesn't leave at half-time again this time, whatever the reason. =X
The referee called upon this time to officiate the match seemed imposing and fit. Got the "zai" look. Hopefully he will be more mobile and be less fussy on the throw-in procedures compared to the previous referees.
1st Half Highlights
Fast and furious play on a yet-again wet pitch, albeit with less mud. Th referee awards a free-kick to the opposition on the left, just outside McLucky's penalty box. No.4 hits the ball with power and pace, but the inviting ball curls past the right post. WFT get the first goal of the game in the 5th minute, when No.11 runs onto a long ball and shoots it past the keeper. 1-0 to WFT
McLucky make a substitution when Leslie replaces Huzer in the 7th minute. Huzer exits the pitch with an apparent hamstring problem. Leslie moves to central midfield while Rayner drops back to central defence. An attacking move in the 12 minute sees Kee Yong laying the ball through to Boon Wee, who then passes the ball to Ben. Ben whips in a dangerous cross but the opponents clear it for a corner. The resulting corner is a poor one as Kee Yong puts the ball out of play immediately.
A long ball in the 16th minute by Kee Yong is chased down by Boon Wee, but the WFT keeper rushes out of his goal and collects the ball. The introduction of Leslie made the difference when he was involved in the build-up play that resulted in McLucky's equaliser in the 20th minute. Boon Wee receives Leslie's pass and lays it off for Ben. He puts in a low cross and Kee Yong finishes the move by bulging the net with the ball. 1-1 and it's all square
Shortly after kick-off, Elson is substituted out and Nicky replaces him as a striker. In the 21st minute of play, Boon Wee chases down yet another long ball from the McLucky half. He gets his shot in from a tight angle on the right but the WFT keeper saves it rather comfortably. McLucky make yet another substitution when Zhan Wei and Ben are taken out. Ah Hao slots in at left back while Sin Cheng moves to the right wing.
McLucky almost took the lead in the 25th minute when Boon Wee shoots on goal. The ball deflects off the keeper and Nicky gets on the end of the loose ball. Unfortunately he hesitates a tad too long and is muscled off the ball. Defenders clear the ball away from the WFT goalmouth. Confidence in the McLucky camp is growing as players start lining up to shoot the ball. In the 26th minute, Siu Chun shoots from long range after getting the ball off No. 5 but the ball goes over the bar.
The referee awards WFT yet another free-kick near McLucky's penalty box. No. 4, the opponent's designated dead-ball kicker, curls the ball over the bar. The opponents get a lucky breakthrough in the 34th minute when No.5 tries his luck from long range. The grounder is slowed down by the mud on the pitch but Zollin hesitates before going in the opposite direction and is unable to stop it from rolling into the back of the net. What a bizarre goal. 2-1 to WFT
Nicky then gets a needless yellow card for obstructing play when he stands too close to the ball as the opponents try to take a free-kick towards the end of the first half. In the words of Wei De, "What's that for ???". McLucky almost equalise in the dying minutes of the first half when a free-kick is whipped across to the far post but Boon Wee misses the ball by a whisker as he slides across the ground and towards the goal.
Half Time
It was quite obvious that the McLucky lads were dictating the tempo of the game , but were unable to get the goals they needed. The mistake by our keeper also led to us going in behind at half-time.
However, spirits were high as we sensed that this could be the match that will end our winless streak. McLucky was doing well so minimal changes were made to the team tactics and starting line-up for the 2nd half. Huzer replaces Zollin as the keeper while Zhan Wei and Ben return to left back and right-mid respectively. Sin Cheng moves to the left wing while Kee Yong pushes up to pair up with Elson as McLucky's striking pair.
2nd Half Highlights
A free-kick is awarded in the 3rd minute of the second half. Leslie lines up the ball and gets ball into the opponent's six-yard box but Elson and Kee Yong are unable to reach the ball. McLucky break from the left in the 5th minute. Sin Cheng attempts to cross but the ball is blocked and goes out for a corner. From the resultant corner, Wei De slots home from close range after a goalmouth scramble. 2-2 Game on yet again
In the 10th minute of play, McLucky get a corner kick and Leslie gets in an inviting ball into the opponent's six-yard box, but the ball is cleared away from danger at the goalmouth. Substitutions for McLucky in the 20th minute when Siu Chun is taken off and replaced by Nicky. Ben comes off with a slight knock on the ankle and Ah Hao comes in for him.
Danger in the 28th minute as No. 14 chases down a long ball and goes one-on-one with Huzer. Fortunately Wei De rushes back and manages to put pressure on the striker, resulting in him shooting over the bar. McLucky nearly take the lead in the 36th minute of play when Kee Yong has a crack on goal from 20 yards out, but the opposition keeper dives to his right and punches the ball out to deny McLucky a well-deserved goal.
Ben comes back into play to replace Elson as full-time draws near. Nicky is now paired up with Kee Yong. In the 40th minute of play, the effervescent Leslie hits a freekick from outside WFT's penalty box. The ball sails over everyone and seemed to be destined for goal but the keeper punches the ball, hitting the crossbar in the process. WFT defenders frantically clear the ball behind the goal for a corrner. Leslie takes the corner and Wei De manages to connect with the cross, but the header, lacking in pace, allows the keeper to make an easy catch.
In the dying minutes of the second half, Nicky gets hold of the ball and shoots on goal after a goalmouth scramble as the McLucky lads give it one last shot and decide to throw the kitchen sink at WFT. To the horror of the players and the spectators, the ball shaves the left post and goes out for a goal-kick. Full time score: MFC 2 WFT 2
On another note, the referee gave out another yellow card in the closing stages of the second half when Zhan Wei was carded for a body charge on an opposition player. Good thing yellow cards aren't significant in friendly matches...hahaha...
Post Match Comments
McLucky deserved to win. It was as simple as that. We dictated the tempo of the game almost from the start till the end. Blame the keeper u say? One must remember that he is playing his first competitive match in who-knows-how-many years. He doesn't even fully understand what the team tactic is all about. So its back to the drawing block for McLucky's goalkeeping plans. We really need to get a decent (or at least half-decent) keeper. That is the most pressing issue at this moment, so anyone out there who is reading this blog, please feel free to leave a message on the tagboard if you think you have what it takes. If not, every match we would have to invite a "special guest" to help us out...hohoho...
Managed to listen in to what the referee had to say about McLucky FC's playing style. Apparently the last man needs to be more imposing and shout out instructions to his fellow defenders on watching the defence line, when to push up or when to fall back. He also noted that in Leslie, we have a competent playmaker and that we should pass the ball more often to him so that he can direct the play more often. There was also the goalkeeper issue, but let's not get to that again haha...
Here are the players' performance evaluation:
Chun Wei --- Back to his usual tireless running self again after that bout of throat infection. Ran tirelessly along the flanks to support play, allowing Ben to push up without having to worry about defensive duties.
Zhan Wei --- Has improved much since joining McLucky. Could be too committed to players at times, but is an imposing figure that opposing players have to face when attacking down the flanks.
Wei De --- At his usual commanding self, with several crucial tackles that prevented the opponents from getting scoring opportunities.
Huzer --- Had to leave his position unfortunately due to his injuries, but returned in the second half to keep the opponents at bay.
Ben --- Thanks to Boon Wee, I now feel that the pairing of Ben and Chun Wei at the right wing is
one of the best we have seen so far (though I've only been to 4 matches so far). Puts in good crosses and is pacy too.
Rayner --- Ironic role as the destroyer and starter of attacking moves. Relished in his defensive
midfield role and helped to shield the defence effectively.
Siu Chun --- A competent show from him as he was not afraid to take on opponents of larger build
and showed enough confidence to shoot from long range, but did not play long enough to make an impact.
Leslie --- Playmaker of McLucky FC. Dangerous during dead-ball situations. An important factor in
the build up of attacking play.
Kee Yong --- Pacy striker who likes to receive the ball from deep and run at opponents. Perhaps
he can play in a deeper role? See how lah ah...hahaha...
Elson --- A so-so performance from the tall guy. Was not at his best if compared to the previous
match. Needs to push up more to support the attack and get inside the opponents penalty box during dead-ball situations to be more of a threat.
Boon Wee --- Another pacy striker who can chase down long balls, but is often outmuscled by
bigger-sized opponents. Could be slightly more aggresive.
Sin Cheng --- Did not play long enough for me to comment on his game.
Nicky --- Missed several good opportunities to score. Needs to work on his finishing, but at least
he is more motivated when playing outfield...hahaha....
Ah Hao --- Seemed quite invisible during the game so no comments on him too hoho......
New Section: McLucky's Man of the Match Award
No prizes for guessing who it goes to this time round haha......
Leslie
Quote of the Match Day: "I think we should not play at this field (Tanglin Field) until we own cars"
--- Siu Chun
Zhan Wei --- Has improved much since joining McLucky. Could be too committed to players at times, but is an imposing figure that opposing players have to face when attacking down the flanks.
Wei De --- At his usual commanding self, with several crucial tackles that prevented the opponents from getting scoring opportunities.
Huzer --- Had to leave his position unfortunately due to his injuries, but returned in the second half to keep the opponents at bay.
Ben --- Thanks to Boon Wee, I now feel that the pairing of Ben and Chun Wei at the right wing is
one of the best we have seen so far (though I've only been to 4 matches so far). Puts in good crosses and is pacy too.
Rayner --- Ironic role as the destroyer and starter of attacking moves. Relished in his defensive
midfield role and helped to shield the defence effectively.
Siu Chun --- A competent show from him as he was not afraid to take on opponents of larger build
and showed enough confidence to shoot from long range, but did not play long enough to make an impact.
Leslie --- Playmaker of McLucky FC. Dangerous during dead-ball situations. An important factor in
the build up of attacking play.
Kee Yong --- Pacy striker who likes to receive the ball from deep and run at opponents. Perhaps
he can play in a deeper role? See how lah ah...hahaha...
Elson --- A so-so performance from the tall guy. Was not at his best if compared to the previous
match. Needs to push up more to support the attack and get inside the opponents penalty box during dead-ball situations to be more of a threat.
Boon Wee --- Another pacy striker who can chase down long balls, but is often outmuscled by
bigger-sized opponents. Could be slightly more aggresive.
Sin Cheng --- Did not play long enough for me to comment on his game.
Nicky --- Missed several good opportunities to score. Needs to work on his finishing, but at least
he is more motivated when playing outfield...hahaha....
Ah Hao --- Seemed quite invisible during the game so no comments on him too hoho......
New Section: McLucky's Man of the Match Award
No prizes for guessing who it goes to this time round haha......
Leslie
Quote of the Match Day: "I think we should not play at this field (Tanglin Field) until we own cars"
--- Siu Chun
posted by Yao Zong @ 12:31 AM
4 Comments:
Haha.. Some very funny yet subtle comments there. Keep it up.
Hey A.Y.Z., try to get more quotes in the future leh.. hehe..
So much detail...O_O
Interesting report to read though. And thanks for the match, was a long time since I last played on field. Hopefully we'll get to play together more often, it was really great.
One last thing...why did you put a picture of me with my hand in THAT area? Now no more face already. T_T
-Ben
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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