Friday, October 21, 2005

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| The Reds Scored @ 8:37 AM|

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Saturday, October 15, 2005

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Picking up their second win in 4 matches so far, the Reds sunk the Yellow Submarines at Cantonment, never doubtful of the win. Scoring midway through the first half, Zhenghan tucked home the asisst from the flanks to put the homeside one up before the break. Zhenghan, a player who initially struggled to find his most suitable position in the squad, ended all debate when he scored a quick second just after the restart. Already 2 - 0 up, the opposition showed their determination not to be overwhelmed, replying with a strike from within the box, and pulled one back. Despite the mounting fightback, Zhenghan capped off an inspirational performance by completing a hat-trick, a firmly struck volley from outside the box beating the Subs 'keeper with ease to re-instate the 2 goal advantage.

3 - 1 up and looking to seize the win comfortably, the Reds were punished for their overconfidence when another six-yard effort found its way into the back of their net. With just a goal between them, both teams stepped up their game and with emotions running high, tackles came in fast and furious. With the skipper picking up an early injury, the Reds midfield engine Shawal took the leadership of the team squarely upon his shoulders. A fantastic solo effort down the left flank was followed by a spectacular finish to cap the 4 - 2 victory. With an almost perfect game, the Reds day was marred with 2 players picking up injuries in the first half and a defence that seemed to be shaky at times.

10 minutes from the start of the first half, Reds centre-back Alex attempted a defensive header clearance only to land awkwardly on his left foot. Going to ground immediately clutching his knee, the skipper had to be stretchered off to the sidelines. 5 minutes later, star striker Wong Keng looked to have cut himself through on goal and looked to finish the penetrating run with a strike. A horrendous late tackle from behind by Subs centreback Zhenwen saw none of the ball but all of Keng's right ankle as the striker went to ground, unable to recover on his own power. Having just returned from international duty, the injury came as a blow to the young ace who had to content himself watching the game from the sidelines beside Alex.

Medical reviews immediately after the game revealed that neither player suffered fractures though ligament damage has not been ruled out. With the Reds just starting to come together as a team, this will be a blow to the players who had worked hard to get their match fitness. With the victory now behind them, these two players will now have to triumph over their new opponent, injury.

Man of the Match (nominations):





| The Reds Scored @ 6:31 AM|

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Sunday, October 09, 2005

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Impasse at Cantonment

Missing 5 first teamers, out through either suspension or injury, the encounter with the Raffles Rangers was never expected to be an easy one. Having just come off from a 3 - 2 defeat, the Reds were anxious to put the defeat behind them and focus entirely upon getting all three points in the bag. It was clear from the onset that the visiting team enjoyed a majority of the possession and created most of the attacking chances whilst the Reds valiantly fought off the Raffles onslaught, who were unlucky not to have snuck at least one goal in by half time. Still, the scoreline stood a respectable 0 - 0 at half time, both teams making use of the break to re-organize and find a way to end the deadlock.

Though the rain began to come down, the weather did nothing to dampen the spirit of the players as the second half began with as much energy as the first. With several changes having been made, the most noticeable being the introduction of Calvin as a left winger and Shijie being pushed up to attack alongside Zhenghan, the Reds' attacking play went up a few notches, occasionally threatening the opponents' goal. In the final 10 minutes, it looked as though the Reds might have just stolen the victory from the Rangers, who had up to that point still mantained a majority of possession. Joshua pushed past the centre back before calmly lobbing the 'keeper, the lifted shot goalbound. Zhenghan looked to have confirmed the strike before a goal line clearance by the recovering defender.

All in all, a well played match and a hard earned draw. 4 points from 3 matches and the Reds go marching ON ON ON!

Man of the Match:

Joshua


| The Reds Scored @ 7:25 PM|

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Painful but absolutely Essential

The title sums up what I believe was the lesson to have been learnt from Saturday's defeat. The game which took place under the searing hot afternoon sun saw our team beaten 3 - 2 by a youth side, amicably called the Yellow Submarines, which showed passion and the drive to win. Whilst the failings of the team should be brought to light, it is with great pleasure that I discuss the strength displayed by the opposition who were 5 years our junior. Each and every individual committed his entire effort to the team, chasing down every ball and packing the defence, choking our forwards thus giving them little chance on goal. Tackles and challenges were aplenty, even if a good number of them were mistimed and badly executed. Still, it demonstrated the grit that the youths possessed in wanting to prove something to both their opponents and themselves.

Being caught badly off-guard, the opposition established a 2 - 0 advantage early on in the first half, scoring from a free-kick and subsequently from open play. To the Reds' credit, the fight back saw them earn a penalty, sweetly converted by Wong Keng, and strike from Roger that went down the center, putting the teams level at 2 - 2 by the break. At half-time, the Reds' saw their squad depleted with the departure of 2 players and thus began the second half with a 9-men squad. Under the pressure of the heat and the hard Mountbatten ground, several players found themselves unequal to the physical challenge of the game with cramps ensuing. With 35 mins left on the clock, the Reds were boosted with the arrival of the team star defender, Ivan, who arrived to shore up the defensive line.

Nonetheless, 10 minutes from time, a splended solo effort from the opposition right winger saw him cut past the defence and down the right flank to slide an inviting pass across the goal mouth. The tap-in finish was as easy as they come with the Subs captain, Jia Yi, hitting the back of the net to put his team ahead. With the very real threat of defeat looming in the distance, the Reds pressed on urgently in a vain attempt to at least finish level. Showing true character, the opposition's defence thwarted all attempts on goal to hold out for what was surely a deserved win against purportedly tougher opposition.

Man of the Match:

Tianhao


| The Reds Scored @ 6:54 AM|

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The Reds won their debut game against HPU (Hokkien Peng United) 4 - 3 at the Yishun Ring pitch. The following is the full match write up:


In preparation for the beginning of the new Espzen league season next year, the newly formed team, yet to be named, played its first friendly today. In what was a match that can only be described as thrilling, the team managed to snatch a 4 - 3 victory in its debut game with Wong Keng completing a stunning hat trick and Roger scoring late in the second half to snatch the win. Unfortunately, the game came to an unexpected and abrupt end when the opposing team decided that they were looking for a fight instead of a soccer game. Making an executive decision, I called an end to what had been, up to then, a fantastic chance to interact and interplay with this new team.

Something of a diamond in the rough, I was slightly uncertain of what to expect of Gerald who made his field debut between the posts for us. It was not long before I realized that the guy was a goddamn natural...knowing exactly when to come out and having excellent shot-stopping ability. The moment he has gotten more experience and worked on his goal-kick, we will have the Manchester United equilavent of Van Der Sar in between the posts for us. Ian who started off as sweeper was initially uncomfortable with the role but showed his defensive ability and stopping power. I believe that once Ivan recovers from his injury and resumes his sweeper role allowing Ian to move up to stopper, our defence will find itself in pole position to break down any attack.

Our midfield displayed the grit and discipline that was required of them with Jon Lau and Shijie providing excellent stability, backed by Zhenghan who covered defensive midfield duties to give them the neccessary cover. Russell, a youth player with the Holland Knights, filled in as a makeshift right back displaying a tenacity that easily outplayed opponents more than 5 years his senior and virtually twice his size, whilst Tianhao's non-stop heckling of strikers down the right back ensured that the defence had more than enough time to re-organize to meet the oncoming threat. As for the forwards, the scoreline speaks for itself with Wong Keng smashing in a hat-trick and Roger putting in the winning strike. Jonathan who relentlessly pushed down the left flank skipped past markers to ensure that our offensive penetration was never in doubt.

As for me...I partnered Ian in defence as stopper today but am glad that I was a part of a team that displayed discipline, organisation and integrity...qualities that outstrip talent anyday (though it's advisable to have a fair portion of that too...thankfully we have that as well :)

Man of the Match:

Wong Keng



| The Reds Scored @ 6:47 AM|

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