Monday, August 18, 2008

16th Aug - Team Kamikaze vs Mercury Reds

The rain almost washed out the game on 16th Aug when Kamikaze travelled to Xin Min secondary to take on the Mercury Reds in the second game of the league. However, not only did the rain not wash out the match, it also failed to dampen the spirits of Team Kamikaze as everyone were pumped up and ready to fire.

There was a mini-crisis before the game, as there always is. 6 of the First XI players who started the previous game were out due to a variety of reasons ranging from injuries to other commitments. However, team depth was shown as the replacements were more than adequate. Ghaz returned back to the KKZ fold, replacing the injured Gerard, after a 2 month long sabbatical, and we hope he stays for much longer. The team also welcomed the return of former strike sensation Harvey, and a very heavy burden was placed on his big frame, as he was replacing Habib who was practising for a nationwide dance competition the next day.
Nayee was playing in goal replacing the injured Subra, and as usual the team were aware that they had to score loads of goals if they were to negate the keeping crisis.
Nesh was paired up with Jraj, who himself returned from injury, in the centre and was supported by fullbacks Suresh Boyee and Anand Spaceship. So in all, there were good reasons for KKZ to be confident.

And they showed as a flowing move involving Jraj and Spaceship, saw the ball released on the right flank. Though it looked like a lost cause, Ghaz chased it down, and played a first time cross across the box where Harvey finished clinically. The Malaysian Assassin showed that he still had a lot of venom in his boots.. In actual fact, it was a very close game with Mercury regularly threatening the KKZ goal and showing an impressive array of passing movement. However, the one area that KKZ used to their advantage is the incessant running. No ball was left alone. Every ball was chased down, and every opponent was harrowed till he made a mistake, and that was how the second goal was scored. Mercury played the ball back to their centreback under mounting pressure from Vijay, and Harvey hassled the centreback till he lost possession. From then on it was just a matter of beating the keeper, which Harvey did in clinical style. 2-0 KKZ, but the game wasn't over yet.

Despite the enterprising moves of Vicky and Magen, the lead was not to be increased. Rather, Mercury Reds halved it. They had a close call for penalty as Jraj brought down their playmaker inside the box. However, the ref waved off all appeals and signalled for a corner. The ensuing corner saw Mercury pull back a goal, despite Nayee's brave attempt to make a save. In fact Mercury could have scored a few more, only to be denied by Nayee and his brave defence. And so, that was how the half ended. KKZ 2 - Mercury 1

The second half, saw the introduction of Sateesh for Mohawk Vicky, and Sateesh moved into the striker's role with Harvey moving down. Seelan also entered the game for Magen to add more muscle in the midfield, which he did excellently. And so, the second half started in the same manner, the first half did, with KKZ racing to a 4-1 lead. Harvey got his HatTrick, when Prem delightfully floated a ball towards him, that he made no mistake in finishing. Vijay then got into the score sheet and ensured that he has now scored in every KKZ match he has played, by heading a Ghaz cross into the net.

But the drama wasn't over yet. Instead of being tight and ensuring that the game was thrown into the boot, KKZ let their opponents back with two own goals and blunder by the keeper which saw the ball flying into the the top corner through his hands. And so in the 86th min, the game looked set to end at 4-4, a deserved score for Mercury's efforts. However as always, the soccer gods had other ideas. A counter-attack move saw Vijay played 1 on 1 with the keeper. As the KKZ faithful held their breath, wondering whether he will keep his cool, he didn't disappoint them to put KKZ into the lead. But like i always say. These soccer gods... They are funny people with a keen sense of drama. And so, across the run of play, for no apparent reason, KKZ conceded a penalty that would virtually tie the game.

But there was to be no such sorrow, as the under-pressure Mercury player, blasted the ball over the bar, and KKZ won their second game in a very dramatic fashion. In most sense, it wasn't a very clinical game with many mistakes spread across the pitch. But the KKZ faithful will take this 3 points, and the lead in the league table with hope that they will get better in the next game. And if they do, the opponents better start fearing..

Kamikaze!!!

Match Stats:

Final Score: Mercury Reds 4 KKZ 5 (1-2)
Goals: Vijay (2), Harvey (3),
Mercury Reds (PEN MISSED)

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Best Wishes to Our Manager

Hi guys.. As most of you might have heard already, our player-manager Diego Haresh will be undergoing a major surgery on his neck tomorrow to rectify a disc damage. He sustained the injury while playing for Subra Cup, and it has been a constant niggling pain hampering his daily routines. He finally decided to go for surgery that will rule him out possibly for the rest of this year. Nevertheless, Kamikaze prays for his speedy recovery and wishes him all the best.. We can't wait for you to be back, Shortie Frog!!

Sunday, August 03, 2008

2ng August - Chesire Utd vs Team Kamikaze

On a hot Saturday afternoon, Team Kamikaze headed on to Woodlands Sec to face its demons head on. It was their first match of the MDIS league and there were 3 very good reasons why KKZ were anxious to be over with match. Kamikaze has had a very bad record at league games. While they routinely steamrolled opponents in friendlies, they somehow had a problem negotiating through league games. And just when they were trying to gain some confidence to get ahead with the match, the venue posed a jinx. This was the same pitch where KKZ was leading 5-1, only to end up drawing the match 5-5. Even if they could have put that aside, the opponents for the afternoon proved to be the biggest obstacle. Chesire Utd were no strangers to KKZ, they were the very opponents who were losing 4-0 to KKZ at Braddell field only to sub in their nigerian import and steal the match 7-6 right under the noses of KKZ. To sum it up, it was gonna be one tough game!

However, there was a quiet sense of confidence in the dressing room. They arrived to the match, with a stable formation, fully-fit players and a optimal number of subs, and the preparations were soon to bear fruit.

KKZ took the game to their opponents in trademark style, throughballs were played at ease and shots were taken at want. However, it was Chesire Utd who could have taken the lead very easily. A free-kick just some distance away from the penalty-box was destined for the far post. But stand-in keeper Subra, who was on a 1-match loan from Sambal SK, made, what would be the first of his many saves in the game, look far too easy.

But before Chesire even had time to moan over the miss, they were to fall back in the match. Leftback Suresh Boyyee, skipped pass two defenders elegantly and played a neat throughball to find wonderkid Vijay. Vijay, who is on loan agreement from Kawabanga, made sure that his high scoring rate got even higher with a crisp finish that gave the keeper no chance. KKZ1 - Chesire 0.

Credit must have be given to the opponents. Chesire's right winger David was constantly troubling the KKZ defence. However, centre-backs Sudesh and Captain Nesh made sure that no damage was done. And the stability offered by the defence allowed KKZ to push further ahead.

Again the same combi, again the same result. Leftback Suresh this time played a teasing cross across the goalmouth, and once again it was Vijay who was there to make sure the ball ended up in the net. KKZ 2- Chesire 0.

KKZ went into the halftime with happy heads, but they were well too aware of the dangerous opponent's comeback tactics. Substitutions were made. The exciting and ever dependable, Mohawk Vicky came in for Magen and Sriram, also from Sambal SK, came in for goalscorer Vijay. Midfield maestro Faizal chose to rest and in came Nayee Vicky. The engine room of the team needed some rest too and so Bala went off, and in came Prem of Kawabanga to partner Gerard.

KKZ started the second half from where they left out, and were soon pushing for the third. Habib whose enterprising movement and constant pressure on the opponent's defence led to the first two goals, also played a part in the next 2. His distraction, allowed Sriram to pressure the opponent into playing the ball into their own net. Habib was once again in the scene, pressurising the opponent's centreback to play the ball on to the path of Nayee Vicky who made no mistake as he slotted the ball coolly past the keeper. Habib was soon to get his own goal, as another hassling of the opponent's defence allowed him to steal the ball and poke it past the keeper. By now the opponents were weary and the poor refereeing coupled with the hot weather caused some minor arguments on the field.

But the drama wasn't over yet. Against the run of play, Chesire earned a corner that allowed their DM, Sathya, to 'head' the ball into the net. Only that he used his hand, just like a certain cheating Argentinian in the 1986 World Cup. However, Vijay who re-entered the match made sure that KKZ had the last word, by finishing with style that ensured he got his hat-trick.

A minor scuffle at the end of the match, did not dampen the spirits of the team. It was a comprehensive win, with good displays on both halves by every player. But this was just the first game of the week. They need to maintain the performance level for 9 weeks more, and this will be a league tournament to remember. Special mention must be given to the performances of rightback Vinod and keeper Subra. Though overall, it was a fantastic performance by everyone.

Just a note from the Editor. Team discipline has improved off the pitch, but there is some space for improvement on it. When calls aren't given, do not argue with the Ref. At any time, it should only be the team Captain or vice-captain who will be speaking to the ref. And never ever, retaliate to any tackle. Do not do something foolish, and bring the team down with your red-card. The management takes a serious view of such incidents. Play soccer, be a professional amateur.

What could have been a bad week, turned to be quite alright for KKZ. Now the onus is on them to maintain the expectations. Till we meet again,

Kamikaze!!!

Match Stats:

Final Score: Chesire Utd 1 KKZ 6 (0-2)
Goals: Vijay (3), Nayee (1), Habib (1), Own Goal (1)
Assists: Suresh 2 (1), Habib (1), Prem (1)