TEAM KAMIKAZE

14th Sep - EECC UTD vs Team Kamikaze

The rain which had cancelled the previous 2 games didn't really threaten the match on 6th September when Kamikaze travelled to Woodlands Secondary, the same turf we got our first 3 points. Upon reaching the field we realized that the biggest threat wasn't going to be the weather, but our team's organization. Yes, We had a total of 9 substitutions to utilize but we had physically only one substitiute to do so. Hey wait a minute, surely that means an error in the blog post. Surely its a classic case of "cut and paste" from the previous match happenings by the editor, right? (Lazy Me...) Well...partially true. The venue wasn't Woodlands Secondary, nor was it 6th September, but the scenario, problem and the happenings were sadly,the same.

Haresh resumed his managerial duties with his brand new limited edition shades. The injured Haresh was probably the first one at St Wilfrids on the hot sunday afternoon, together with Barathi and Vinnie. Seelan was early, and the players were seen arriving early for the game. Nesh, Gerard, Vinod and the others were all at the turf with more than half an hour to 1pm. Probably it was the psychological preparation and firing up of the post match talk after last match's collapse to the fasting MBOGians. Or perhaps it was the manner in which the points were dropped. However one thing was clear as Seelan had put it; Kamikaze's league title challenge will greatly be determined by the outcome of this game. Yes, KKZ was facing EECC UTD at the top of the table clash at St Wilfrids.

We saw the return of a few KKZ stars who weren't around for the last few matches. Spaceship and Kutty Faisal both made a return to the starting line-up, together with Vinnie being rewarded with a league debut. The game kicked off with Subra who was back on loan in goal, with Nesh, Prem, Vinod and Spaceship taking the back four, probably the strongest 4 KKZ ever had. Seelan and Kutty Faizal were at the centre of the park to break off any advances from EECC UTD with KKZ opting for 2 defensive midfielders again. Kamikaze used its warriors in an unorthodox manner this time around. Gerard moved into the central/attacking midfield role after quite some time. That was 3 defensive midfielders in the centre with Gerard given the license to roam. Barathi was utilized on the right wing and his role of being left counterpart was surprisingly given to Vinnie. Bala was shockingly started as forward after Nayee arrived late and was spending the opening minutes of the game on the sidelines, lacing his boots. He had another piece of bad news with him, he was the only other player on the sidelines. Oops, we did it again! We had with us, 1 sub to utilize, or unless you wanted Haresh, Manjo or Ms. Barathi to add onto the numbers.

The game started off with furious pace with KKZ pouring out attack after attack on EECC Utd. The pressure was applied thoroughly when Barathi, Bala and Vinnie harrassed their back line, not giving them space to breathe. Within minutes upon their pressure, Bala nearly broke the deadlock after racing onto a through ball from Spaceship. The keeper had to charge out and block the rather soft chip by Bala. Vinnie then got rewarded for his hard work when he too was presented a similar chance, only to skew his shot wide. Barathi went the closest to scoring minutes after but again KKZ were still frustratingly level after missing 3 one on one chances. EECC defenders went bezerk and started screaming at their team mates. Gerard, Seelan and Faizal were impassable which allowed Spaceship and Vinod to make their way all the down to EECC's half to turn in the screw on EECC. After almost 40 minutes of pressure and missed chances, KKZ was presented with a free kick just outside the box, after EECC resorted to dirty play to break up KKZ's devastating play. KKZ flooded the box and Nayee stepped up and blasted the ball wide, but the referee demanded the kick to be re-taken after he spotted an infringement in the wall.

Chance number 2, and Spaceship shrugged off Nayee to take the kick this time. Spaceship floated, a freekick that is, which was too hot for the EECC keeper to catch, only leaving him to punch the ball rather weakly out. The weakly punched ball fell perfectly for the unmarked Bala who put in a bullet header into the top left corner. A question for EECC, What do you get when you leave Ballack unmarked in the penalty box? Answer : A goal. KKZ 1- EECC 0.

KKZ went rampant in their celebrations, not sure whether it was because of the lead we so badly deserved or the fact that Bala had finally scored his annual goal but we were fired up alright. Too fired up that we lost focus in defending a set piece. Just almost a stroke before the break, EECC equalized in true mungent style, a scrappy goal from a dead ball. After the corner was put in, one of the KKZ defenders, miskicked his clearance, only for the ball to fall to a EECC vulture. Faizal and Prem both dived in to block the shot, but "heng heng, 888" EECC Mungent put the ball into the net, despite 3 KKZ men on the goal line. KKZ and EECC broke off with the score level at 1-1 at half time.

Team Kamikaze, refreshed themselves during the break in where Haresh spewed a few words of optimism and tactics to the well performing KKZ warriors. Despite creating more chances and attacking well, Kamikaze found themselves level with the opponents yet again at the break. The formation wasn't changed, except for a few shuffles, saw Bala shifted to the left wing, Barathi to the right and Nayee down as the centre forward.
The half started brightly with Kamikaze pushing up the pressure and continually getting in shots. Bala had a goal disallowed after he was caught marginally offside when he made his run too soon, hoping for Nayee to release the ball early. Fatigue started setting in, and Kamikaze found themselves being fouled repeatedly just to break up the play. EECC were now soaking up the pressure, having 4 men on yellow, to counter Kamikaze and it paid off. Upon catching our full backs high off the field, EECC led the game with 2 shock goals resulting from quick counter attacks aided by the slack marking of KKZ.
With score at 1-3, Kamikaze took time to recover from the shock, and when they did, boy, was the attack ferocious. Barathi found some inner energy to race down the flanks to catch their defenders off guard on several occasions , opening up space for the centre midfielders to get crucial balls into the attacking third. In an off the ball incident, the temperature boiled over as one of EECC Utd defenders was involved with an ugly spat with Nayee. Both of them got booked, but the EECC defender was sent to the dressing room after already being yellow, sorry yellow carded. One man down, and with the entire Kamikaze looming in the opponents half waiting to strike, EECC found themselves in a uncomfortable position as they started to throw themselves at the KKZ warriors. One rash tackle on the bumbling Barathi in the box led to a crucial penalty for KKZ in the dying minutes.

Up stepped Nayee to coolly slot the ball to his bottom right corner, despite the howls and hurling insults of the EECC crowd targeted at Nayee who was earlier involved in the sending off their defender. However, it proved to be not enough, as Team Kamikaze fell victim to the clock as EECC Utd, ground out their 3rd 1 goal margin victory to race 4 points clear at the top of the standings.

What was it that went wrong? A team filled with youthful, fluid, attacking football dropped the points despite being the better team. No, I am not talking about Arsenal here. We have really matured since our numerous games with physical veteran sides. We have adapted well to the physical demands of the opponents, who now can't seem to roughen us out the game. Our football is still played at exhilirating pace only, now that it has matured in football sense. Haresh revealed his pride over the fact that we have developed into this fine team but this game sadly reminded us that the team is not only the 11 on the pitch but the entire squad. Had we had enough substitutes this game( or even the last), we would have been sitting pretty at the top.

It is not a case of poor management or organization but sadly the commitment of the entire squad. Our Aim/Mission statement is for Kamikaze to be a 'professional' amateur team, professional in its play, dealings and organization although we are an amateur team. Maybe we should stress on another phrase/motto as well. Maybe something like "Commitment and whole-hearted effort from all" as that is the true meaning of being a team. I am sure everyone is busy and has their own personal commitments but let us all be professional and head on to fight all the way, instead of, as what Captain Nesh said, point fingers at each other.

The Good news is that we are playing solid attacking football and the league is not over. The better news...One of our 'irreplacable' idol is making his way back into the team in this fight for the league challenge. Let's just keep it that "Mr. Stone Cole" was watching this game rather closely, with a can in his hand. (Hell Yeah, its not over!!)

Kamikaze!

Match Stats:Final Score: EECC Utd 3 KKZ 2 (1-1)

Goals: Bala, Nayee (pen)