Friendly at Fuhua Secondary

7 June 2009 @ Fuhua Secondary~ 3pm
Yung Ho Rangers 2 - KKZ 4 (1-3)

This was the second week in a row where KKZ had met a previous opponent. But the last time these two teams met, just 7 weeks ago, the scoreline was an emphatic 10-0 to KKZ over their opponents who then were fondly named AC Mungent Lan. This time however, their opponents had a much more dignified name, and a determined attitude to the game to right their humiliation.

To say they had chosen the wrong time, would be an understatement. KKZ had an entire full team plus 5 substitutes in the locker room of Fuhua Sec by 2 pm, with 2 more on the way. The team talk lasted a full half an hour, with topics ranging from commitment, to tactics to individual play and team plays being discussed in detail by Haresh and the other members of the senior management.

And the first 10 mins of the match showed that it worked wonders. KKZ started with Manjo in goal, to replace HariBhai who had volleyball commitments. Neshta returned for his last match till, the league ends, to partner Gabriel Achu Tan and ADF Jraj in Defence. AcidTongue Ganesh made a long awaited return to the KKZ fold as he and Thina played as wingbacks. Seelan partnered HariBoy in the DM positions while Haresh and Yasin were the AMs. Barati was given the responsibility of the lone forward as his loving parents watched on the magic their son was about to unfold.

The first 10 mins of the match, in Gabriel's words were the most classic KKZ had ever played. The team moved forward and defended as one. Balls were won all over the pitch, and the team passed the ball around so confidently, that the margin of victory was expected to be even bigger than the previous encounter. However, the opponents were no easy meat this time around, and they shocked the entire Fuhua pitch into silence as a hopeful cross was deflected into the net by Jraj to give Yung Ho the lead.

But then again, this was a new-look KKZ. One that knows not to kancheong after conceding. One that is beginning to believe that if you work on your possession, the goals will come. And that was how the goals came. A good passing movement saw Barati being released on the right with his adoring parents watching. And boy didn't he disappoint, as he weaved pass two players and cut the ball back to Haresh who made no mistake as he pushed the ball past a defender and swivelled a shot into the net to gain the equaliser. With the confidence gained, KKZ began sweeping forward as another flowing move saw Haresh latch on to a ball, beat a defender and pass to Barati, who squared the ball to Dinzonesh who took a ferocious shot. The keeper could only manage to parry it away to Barati who made no mistake as his shot hit the roof of the net, 2-1 to KKZ. There was to be no reprieve for Yung Ho, who to their credit did string together a few good passes and made a few good tackles. One such interception of Hari's attempted through-ball, however found its way to Haresh's feet who made no mistake once again, as he gave KKZ a deserved 3-1 lead.

That led the way to substitutions, and Bala who had already replaced Seelan, and who was having a splendid half, and Dinzonesh who earlier replaced the injured Ganesh was joined by EL Fazail, Ghazali, Vinnie and Nayee. The remainder of the half, saw KKZ fully grip the game with splendid passing and switching of play, but unlucky finishing saw it not adding on to the lead.

The second half saw a rejuvenated Yung Ho team, take on a KKZ team that is still unable to shake off its second half curse. Players were out of position all over the field, passing movements in the first half had led way to longballs in search of the killer pass, and the defence was shaky and non-coordinated. Except for the calm presence of Prem who had come in for Achu, the defence found itself disorganised. One such moment, found Jraj completely off-guard, and Yung Ho capitalised to reduce the lead to 3-2.

However, that was the only realistic chance they had in the second half, and KKZ mounted chance after chance and spurned a few more, with slackness in the last third. If Yung Ho, were harboring any hopes of a comeback, they were put to rest when El Fazail, showed his importance yet again, by finishing off a smart corner by Bala, to restore the two goal lead. And that was how the game ended, 4-2 to KKZ.

Statistically, this game was a disaster, considering that the opponents were beaten 10-0 before with a weaker squad. However in the overall scheme of things, the mgmt saw this match as a success. The win was recorded, objectives set before the game were achieved with players playing with a purpose, and the team harmony and morale was at a new high. Special credit must once again be given to the wingbacks Thina and Dinzonesh for an effective performance and also to Ghaz who made true of his promise to be a different player. On the whole it was a game to remember for the KKZ faithful. KKZ can now look forward to a new dawn, but will this be yet another false dawn? Only the footballing gods can tell..

KAMIKAZE!!!

Players: Manjo, Jayaraj, Achu, Neshta, Ganesh, Thina, Seelan, HariBoy, Haresh, Yasin, Barati, Bala, Dinesh, Ghaz, Vinnie, Fazail, Nayee

Goals: Haresh (2), Barati, El Fazail

M.O.M: Bala, (Tough competition for this week between Barati who scored one and made one, and Bala. But Bala wins the award for this week with a spectacular performance all across the pitch, making calculated tackles and spreading the play with efficient effective passing. To deliver such a performance after the criticism and controversy over the previous week, deserves applauds and that he gets. Well Done.)