Friendly at Canberra Sec

4 Apr 2009 @ Canberra Sec Sch ~ 5pm
KKZ 4 Getz United 3 (2-0)

Finally KKZ played their first official game of the year. Close to 4 months into the year without a game, a team of 11 players were formed in the space of 4 hours, after opponents of Getz United pulled out 5 hours into the game. Up stood Kamikaze for the challenge and for their first game of the year.

After frantically searching for players to form a team, KKZ arrived and started with 9 men on the Canberra pitch due to the late arrivals of Habib and Vinnie, also courtesy of the late notice. This game also marked the first competitive start in months, handed out to KKZ Veteran Achu who starred in the left back position. The other 3 of the starting back four comprised of Prem and Bala in the centre with Fellow Colonial Cousin Barathi starting parallel Achu at right back. Local Sembawang hero Sriram started in centre mid with Vijay and Mohawk taking the left and right flanks respectively. Jeyraj started in the lone striker position (his other FAAVouriTE position) with Nayee in goal.

KKZ started well, though with 9 men threatened the Getz UTD centre backs who were obviously having problems with the fast paced attacks of KKZ. The keeper was tested and clearly didn't put away KKZ's attackers as he fumbled at the ball on more than one occasion. At the back, despite a lengthy lay-off, the defence couldn't have looked more comforatble as they dealt with Getz Attacks rather audaciously, stroking the ball inside their own 40 yards. Achu, Bala and Barathi were quick to close down any attacks, while Prem provided the assurance at the sweeper position.

Saab as Sub! Habib came on at 10 mins to bring the team to 10 men, and the score to 1-nil, yes, Habib scored with his 4th touch of the game with much predatory instinct as he always had.
(1-0 Habib* 15 minute) Getz were shocked at the introduction and started to panic over the imbalance of the player advantage and the score. Kamikaze gained in confidence and started to press the Getz defence. Achu started to drift upwards, and was unlucky not to get his goal. They were soon rewarded via an unlikely saviour. Whatever Habib could do, Vinnie 'upped' the standards. After coming on in 18 minutes, Vinnie was the first to latch onto a rebound after Vijay struck a venomous shot which the Getz keeper could only parry. Vinnie tapped the ball into the empty net with his 1st touch of the game with much glee and KKZ were 2-nil up and so the score remained till the break. (2-0 Vinnie *20th minute)

At the break, a few shuffles were made, which saw Vinnie being pushed back to the right back position with the back 4 relatively unchanged, with Prem,Jeyraj and Achu holding the back line. Bala and Sriram filled the centre, with Nayee doing a direct swap with Vijay for the left midfielder position. Right flanks remained in the grasp of the glowing Mohawk, while Habib remained the target man forward. More importantly, Barathi was given the licence to roam at the centre of the park, with a free role handed out to him, and boy did he grab it.

Barathi tormented the Getz players with his new found freedom and energy and KKZ were starting to attack furiously. But hey, KKZ will always be loyal to our second half curse, as we missed several open-glitch chances, as the 2 goal cushion led to over-confidence and selfish play. Habib became 'focused' on his goal tally, Jeyraj started to 'drift' from the centre back postiton to centre forward, and if not for Sriram's intelligent cover and important tackles, it would have been a very different story. The second half curse finally came true when the complacency set in, and Getz powered in a goal to break the advantage to half. (2-1 Getz*60th minute) KKZ suddenly started to become vulnerable, and further shuffles were made. A quite 'absent' Nayee moved into the right back position, the over-worked Sriram was put to the left midfield, with Mohawk pushed up to partner Habib. Vinnie covered his position by moving forward to the right flanks. It became a more even game after that and KKZ slowly started to find their rhythm.

10 minutes left and Barathi, latched onto a beautiful pass and struck a well placed shot but the keepr parried away. Bala was the first to react to nod in KKZ's third and his 3rd in 3 years (Remember Bala only scores 1 goal per year). KKZ went jubilant in their celebrations, but the drama was far from over. (3-1 Bala *80th minute)

On this day, Getz UTD had a friend in KKZ called Mr. Complacency. Mr. Complacency worked hand in hand with Getz to hand them a vital 2nd goal 5 minutes from time.
(3-2 Getz *85th minutes)

After the referee signalled for the last 3 minutes, Getz infamously pushed for their "LAST BURST" after their No.11, toffee Marouane FOULaini remained on the pitch after 2 yellow cards, screamed Getz into their push for their equalizer. It certainly had an effect when 2 minutes from time, 3 KKZ defenders botched their clearances and their forward blasted in from close range after Nayee, the 4th Kamikaze defender went AWOL. Getz were ecstatic at their dramatic equalizer and KKZ were in shambles. (3-3 Getz *88th min)At the restart, heated arguments were still going on in the KKZ box, and the last minute of play was started. Barathi realizing that time was not on his side, went on a mazy run. Desperate for the draw, once again, FOULaini hacked down leaving a very disgusted Barathi. The resulting freekick was crucial and Bala insisted on taking the free-kick even after mis-cuing his previous 3 freekicks. KKZ kept their faith in him, and he didn't dissapoint. Bala crashed his free-kick against the post , and who else but Nayee picked up the pieces to tap in the winning goal in the final seconds as Kamikaze recorded an official victory in their first game of the season. (4-3 Nayee*90+1 minute)Drama at the Canberra. The final whistle followed and Nayee was still celebrating and the other victorious 10 joined him after the valiant 11 had battled to a victory.
KAMIKAZE!!

Players: Vijay,Jeyraj,Prem,Nayee, Vinnie, Achu, Barathi,Bala,Sriram,Mohawk,Habib

Goals: Habib, Vinnie, Bala, Nayee

M.O.M: Barathi
Credit must be given when it is due. 2009 finally saw Barathi take the first step to his stake to the No.7 jersey as he fitted and excelled in the role of a playmaker for Kamikaze. His Runs, passes, spirit and energy in the game was detrimental to the 3 points. His contributions earmarked him earning the special free role which KKZ do not normally hand out to a player. Unlucky not to get a goal. Nevertheless, excellent display. More to come, Barathi?