match report
score: 2GSMB and the Rest Xl 2 [Name]less 10
scorers: yuxian 3, zhipeng 2, yewtze 3, leonard 2
attendance: 27.000

review: after some mental preparation for a strong rv team, scouts were severely condemned after 2gsmb turned up instead. it wasn't so much that we couldn't beat them; rather, we were hoping for a stiffer challenge that was definite, and not expected.

due to our inability to book the court, some challengers too flooded the court to make a statement. after a failed attempt to hoodwink the invaders (or habitants), 2gsmb had the honour of an internal battle with their soon to be battled counterparts. due to horrific finishing and as zp puts it, 'playing like kids', the team was left sitting on the sidelines, waiting for the goals that seemed more elusive by the minute. as the players moaned and sighed after each seemingly close opportunity was wasted, accusing fingers were pointed at team manager/player jx, who in turned pointed at one-time-organiser wee theng, who pointed at the sky, screaming for an answer which he wanted but could not find.

as the team stormed on the pitch when our turn came, there were signs of pent-up frustrations and a sense of overeagerness that, as often in the past, threatened to cause an unwanted scene of self-destruction. the rearguard of wee leong, sum and wee theng was fiery and steady as usual, but the attacking trio of zhipeng, yewtze and yuxian were drawing a blank. thirty minutes passed, and the bench was becoming agitated.

there is nothing wrong with playing 'arsenal style', except when the forwards do not deliver. from the start tay sought to shed this unwelcomed tag with some furious pressuring of the opposition defenders. zhipeng, despite his tag of a clinical finisher, was struggling somewhat with some unnecessary footwork and lacking in the necessary defending.

after the routine of hitting the woodwork a few times, zhipeng finally scored after some slick footwork from yewtze. as usual jx said something negative which leo nodded his agreement. so it is to be concluded that zp feeds off negativity.

the long wait produced what was feared: we could not leave the court. despite the constant changing of fresh legs and even fresher vehemence, the opposition could not find a way through the rotating backline of sum, wee theng and liangfa. leo then provided a pleasant surprise with a fabulous near-halfcourt shot which found the back of the net, which after he received congratulations from his teammates with an ill-disguised look of self-disbelief.

further goals from tay, yewtze and zhipeng opened up a gap, before leo grabbed his second with a nice shot from the edge of the box. the attack was flowing now, no one could stop us, as passes were thread around with decisiveness and creativity.

it was then time for the usual theatrics from the team, last week wee theng's acrobatics, this week some really wicked playacting by tay, who rolled on the floor, convulsing and writhing to the utter shock and chagrin of the opposition defender. bad blood could be smelt, the way tay jumped up with a really xia lan look, returned equally by a dulan defender. it is to be noted that though the rolling was exaggerated, the defender wearing a cap had evil intentions himself. so who gives a damn about him.

wee leong was doing well, and the two goals conceded were more of an accident than mistake. anyway, according to sum and wl, the sr no. 10 was just 'barging his way through'. so let's forget about it. jx was playing alright too, but made a better impression defending than attacking, despite no goals. wee theng, being more serious than last week, limped off with an injury to his shin, and liangfa filled in as an able foil to sum.

yewtze then grabbed his two goals, including one which sneaked past the keeper, leaving him looking rather foolish. tay rammed the keeper, then the back of the net, though no ploy was intended (i think). lastly, a hugely contested but obvious goal settled the match. too bad keeper, roy carroll you are not.

with angst and open hostility in the air, the team walked off before a fight could take place.

manofthematch: tay
leo makes a good claim with his brace. however, tay was the one who instilled fear into the opposition. and his kaobei-ness built some fighting spirit.

moanofthematch: chao malai player
tried to cover up his inadequacies by kaobei-ing about rough play.

quote(s) ofthematch:
"let's try to stay in longer" nicer malai player.

"huh end already?!" nice chinese dude.

conclusion: some things we discussed at the end of the match, please take note. other than that, well done team.