Update for 8th Sep

The 4-2 victory against the Manjans was a morale booster for KKZ but would the inroads gained in the game be lost or would they continue in their winning vein. Well on 8th Sep, when they hosted another unnamed Manjan team, they had to wait for nearly 30 mins to get their answer, for the opponents were late. For once, it felt good to be early and kitted up. When interviewed, a few senior players mentioned that the new discipline and high morale in the team is a refreshing change to help realise the team's potential. How right they were, for when KKZ eventually took to the pitch, they had comprehensively overwhelmed their opponents to go into the half-time break with a 4-0 lead.

Up and coming young striker Sasi, gave KKZ the lead when he latched onto a long clearance from the KKZ defence and held off the opponent defenders before lashing a shot that was too good for the keeper to stop. The lead gave KKZ the cue to roam around the pitch with panache and it wasn't too long before the lead was doubled. Anand Spaceship would play the first of his three assists, - a brilliantly crafted through ball that would find the feet of player-manager Haresh. But there was still a lot more to be done, which Haresh duly obliged. He sold the keeper a shimmy before rounding him with ease and tapped the ball coolly into the open net. Advantage KKZ.

The 2-goal deficit, however motivated the opponents who quietly began creeping back into the game. They strung together a few good passes and began enjoying far more possession. However the brave KKZ defence, and defensive midfielders were calm and composed to withstand the attacks.

Against the run of play, Anand Spaceship squared the ball to Barathi just outside the box. Barathi looked up at the keeper, and realising that he had acres of space, let out a speculative shot that looped the keeper and ended up in the back of the net. 3-0 KKZ and one more to come.

The architect of the fourth goal was once again Anand Spaceship, who lifted the ball past the opponents' defence. Haresh who timed his run to beat the offside trap, chipped the ball pass the oncoming keeper to score his second goal of the game, and KKZ went into the half-time carrying a 4-0 lead.

However, talks of improving the play and adding onto the lead apparently fell into deaf ears. Complacency on the KKZ side and a renewed vigour by the opponents saw them snatching back a consolation. However, credit must be given to keeper Manjo who managed to pull off a couple of point-blank saves, including one from a female player of the opponents.

Overall, it was a satisfying game for Kamikaze, though, more must be done to ensure focus over the course of the 90 minutes. Complacency has to be rooted out. And KKZ can go a long way. On a side note, as the choice for the man of the match was not clear on that day, i will use my editor's discretion and name Anand Spaceship as the man of the match, on the basis of his 3 assists and overall industrious play. (I seriously hope this doesn't backfire on me. It was an honest assessment)

Match Stats:

Final Score: 4-1 (4-0)
MOM: Anand Spaceship*
Goals: Haresh(2), Sasi (1), Barathi(1)
Assists: Anand Spaceship (3)

Overall Standings:

Goals:
(3): Haresh
(2): Barathi
(1): Nayee, Gerard, Ghaz, Vinnie

Assists:
(3): Anand Spaceship
(1): Barathi, Haresh, Gerard, Habib

MOM:
(1): Manjo, Nash, Gerard, Anand Spaceship*

*Unconfirmed