Scorers : Kennerd (2) Iyat
Al Caliph, The Movie by Zj
If there are any producers in need for a good script, they need not look further than Al Caliph's showing in their debut match in the d2d league. A friendly warning though, this movie will not be for the faint hearted.
Coming back together after a four months layoff from competitive soccer, Al Caliph's showing in the first 30mins was like a horror show. A lack of teamwork, motivation, shape, running and HEART allow the opponent to run riot in the game. A couple of mistakes by the defence and goalkeeper cost the team dearly and Al Caliph found themselves 2 goals down within 30mins. Sensing a need to re shuffle the team, Al Caliph's strategist, Abg Ali made a few substitutions that changed the flow of the game.
With Zhafran put in the middle of the park, Al Caliph began to control the pace of the game much better. Our direct runs are causing huge problems to the opponent's defence and they began to concede unnecessary fouls. One of those fouls set the tone for another famous comeback for Al Caliph. Khai was tasked with the responsibility to deliver a freekick at the edge of the box. His immaculate delivery was nicely met by Kennard who sent the ball into the back of the net with a nicely executed header. This goal was the last piece of notable action before the half time whistle was blown.
As a defending champion from another league, Al Caliph knows what needs to be done. The half time prep talk was just another channel to remind each and every players their duties as a warrior for the team.
Al Caliph started the second half determined to get the equalizer early. However, poor finishing and a lack of communication meant that Al Caliph will not have an easy second half. All that changed in the last 10 mins of the game. Yat, a newly inducted player won a freekick outside the penalty box. Once again, Khai was tasked to take the freekick. His freekick was richochete off the head of Zijian and went towards Kathir. Kathir immediate reaction was to head the ball back into the six yard box which caused chaos for the opponent. The opponent's goalkeeper was unsure whether to catch the ball or to put it out for a corner. In the end, he managed to do none. What he did was to push the ball straight to Zijian who chose to send the ball back into the sea of players rather than shooting from a tight angle.
What a choice he made, the cross was served on a platter for Kennard who dispatched it into an open net, 2 all! The match is nicely set up for a grand finale.
Famed for our fighting spirit, Al Caliph will never settle for a draw.
Some players are already cramping up, some are wounded and some are running low on fuel. However, the players never stopped running and even in the last five mins, they are still searching for the elusive winner. Finally, Al Caliph was duly rewarded for their hard running.
Yat was sent clean through by his brother, Khai and he converted his chance nicely with a left foot shot that crept into the goalkeeper's right hand post. 3-2 to Al Caliph and that was how the match ended.
What a show put up by Al Caliph. Another comeback and their first three points was earned the hard way. However, the team must start to eradicate their mistakes and take control of the game early. Our supporters, sponsor and manger need to be spare the agony of watching a movie with too much twists and turns. A movie with an expected outcome will be more preferred in this footballing world and hopefully, Al Caliph, the sequel will turn out this way!