When khai and omar missed in the early minutes, it was becoming to feel like a bad day all over again. Maybe its the jinx of the venue or videographer had to use the tripod as she was tired holding up the video. She had refrained from using it for fear being the unlucky charm. I too had changed my jersey. The old one must have been tapped out.
Alas perseverance prevailed. At the end of first half we managed to score through Kathir. What a way to mark his return.
We pushed on in the second half but we were a little blunt in our attack. Khai must have left his footballing boots at home. In the end, perseverance with fresh impetus through Shy and Dinesh ensured a second goal to seal the game. And so Al-Caliph did a double on Vipers this season.
I agree with Faizal's analysis that we were much better in our last game against Amigos. It was just that in that game we didnt have the luck.
We were poor in our positioning. We must be constantly alert with the going on in the game.; where the ball is; where the opponent is; where the trajectory of the ball would be; what would an opponent do etc... This is physics and biology. Its simple human behaviour. World Cup is here. Watch the games and understand human behaviour in relation to movement of the ball - both as an attacker and defender. We must get this basics right.
We were poor in front of goal. We were scooping the ball up. As I said just toe poke it in. This will almost keep the ball low. Bob said that it will spoil the boot. My friends, you will get back some of the registration money you paid and there's the sponsor bonus if - when - we do win the league. I think we can come to a concensus for each player to get at least $50! So go and get the win and get new boots!
Worthy of Mention I have mentioned this before. Zj has a good footballing brain. His positioning during the free-kick says immensely about his awareness and ability to correct our weakness. He immediately plugged it. It was his astute positioning that ensured a clean sheet. Even during attacks, I can see what he is trying to do. But alas at times, others are not at the same wavelength as him. He has matured as a player since last year and I sincerely think he will make a good coach one day.
Deva was back at this best. At last I was proven right that when you have shorter hair, you will play better. He was first to all balls and gave Cina a lesson in covering your left back. Cina had pleaded for me to play him in DC but I insisted that he feels what he put Deva through last game. Both of them worked well on the left.
Omar, notwithstanding his eccentric use of the ball, put up solid defensive display as I had remembered when I saw him play at PUB. Its nearly there. This is because he is use to play in the evening when it is not hot as Sunday morning. However on this Sunday, it was cloudy. Probably the ambience was similar for him.
Shy provided the impetus for our attacks in the last 10 minutes. He filled the hole that was sorely missing. He was able to cut out the opponent's ball in a third of the opponent's defence. It must have been very itchy standing between the post for 70 minutes.
Faizal did exceptionally well. He had provided the crosses and all we required was a good touch in front of goal. His body and brain must be in shock to have his engine running early instead of second half.
I was not told of Dinesh's participation in the game. He must have been called by Captain. Captain had got wind that I had told Zif to bring both jerseys as there is a possibility that I have to play considering we will be short. It was excruciating to have your phone ring in 6 hours interval about players unavailability.
Oh and yes, zif played well at left back. He was sick and when I had smsed him to bring the jerseys, he said that he would play the next day. There was a moment when the opponent would have broke free. Somehow he managed to come across and nicked the ball away. Sudden burst of energy although he was sick...i wonder why...
Dividends The game saw decisions made that bore dividend.
Faizal's early inclusion gave us more penetrative option on the left.
I had wanted to sub Kathir as he was looking jaded at the end of first half. Too much backpacking. Next time backpack Bukit Timah Hill. Do not have to go so far. I resisted against the change and he scored.
It was nervy at 1-0 when I decided to get Shy upfront. We were missing a lot of balls in the opponent's third. No one was able to get to the ball especially with headers. A combination of zj's alertness and wan's bravery gave me confidence.
In the last 10 minutes, I made the difficult decision to include Dinesh. He was robust and caused havoc to the opponent. It was his interception and pass that made the scoreline comfortable.
I had insisted on Khai as playing he was able to hold the ball. He was not at his best and neither he was at his worst. He had made some crosses into the box but we were unable to capitalise. It was great that he scored in the end.
Congrats on the win and clean sheet.
Man of the Match Zj and Deva put up a scintillating in defence. Zj awareness alone is enough to be picked for MOM. However, Omar was back to his best. He was all over the pitch and in the second half showed awareness in protecting Zif. He did not slow down but took matters into his own hands. For performing nearly at 90% efficiency, he is awarded the man of the match.
He might have difficulty doing report as wife is expecting. Hence, I will get him to refund $50. Those who want this, call him and confirm it.
... (I cant find the right title for this) Tyrus was very unhappy at being replaced. He was unhappy that he had a short playing time. I noticed this and when Captain informed me, I called and apologised to him. I explained to him my decision. I do not think its any consolation. Mind you, tyrus plays now and then. What about wan?
It is difficult to make these decisions. This season we have sponsor. The lost against Amigos amplified this further. My position got even tougher.
Put it simply, I am in a position where I have to sacrifice the feeling of players like wan, who is about 19/20 years old, for the team, players who are more matured, and hope that I can live with it every week. And I see him every other day! This was the crux of my blast during the game against validus - quietly asking the young ones to sacrifice their want for the team, although they have to bare with the team who at times, takes a lackadaisical attitude.
To wan and tyrus, I do not take you for granted. I think about you now and then. I pray that the team will help me in making my decisions easier. I am still praying.
Administrative Issues Cina fined $5 for the yellow card.
Khai should have been fined for his vulgar exclamation, even if it was out of frustration. But he made it up as the game went on when he exclaimed in the name of God instead. I suppose he must have been forgiven.