Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Kamikaze Juniors show Famed Fighting Spirit

Maverick FC vs Kamikaze Juniors
AI Sports Sat League Season 2
Rd 1 League Match @ Eastview Secondary
23/11/2013
3pm Kickoff







In what looked to be a cruel game, Kamikaze dominated possession throughout the game only to find themselves 2 down due to a combination of switching off while defending and an inability to finish off their chances.

The boys created numerous chances, but could not find a way past the opponents keeper. It was not until the 83rd minute, when Saai drove up the opponents' third and found Vinnie whose cross found Visnu V2. V2 fluffed his first time volley, but was first to the return ball and made no mistake with his second chance to give KKZ a fighting chance.

That chance arrived, when Hari who had a tireless shift the whole afternoon found himself tackled inside the box. Captain Hasiim, made no mistake from the spot to ensure that the KKZ boys begin their season undefeated.

The Gaffer was pleased with the comeback but rued the missed chances.

"We cannot keep doing this to ourselves. We played such good, high-level football only to concede goals from silly school boy errors. We have to buck up and take our chances early. The aim now is to turn this team into a high-scoring outfit and I believe that my forwards will step up to the challenge"

Squad: Pratip, Apek, Saai, Alvin, Ashraf, Bharat, Hasiim, Joseph, Balan, Visnu V2, Vishnu, Prabhu, Ryan, Praveen, Pratheep Muse, Vinnie, Hariharan

Goals: Visnu V2, Hasiim
Assists: Vinnie, Hariharan

Final Score: Mavericks 2 - 2 Kamikaze Juniors

Monday, November 25, 2013

5-Star Kamikaze Strengthens Title Case

ESPZEN Sunday League Season 20 Division 6

Keppel Bay FC vs Kamikaze FC

24/11/2013
3pm Kickoff
Hua Yi Secondary

Kamikaze ended any doubts about their title-hopes with an emphatic 5-0 victory over fellow title hopefuls Keppel Bay. The pre-match hype surrounded on Keppel Bay looking to burst the title race open with a victory that will seriously dent KKZ's chances of winning their maiden ESPZEN title, and the match started in an exciting fashion as crunching tackles flew all around the park.

However, Kamikaze drew first blood as a surging Pratheep run saw him pick out Hevy with a neat pass, only to see Hevy fouled inside the box. Hevy, reinstated to the starting line-up after a two-week break, took the resulting penalty and made no mistake as he drilled the ball into the back of the net. The goal swung the momentum into the KKZ camp, however, good saves from the keeper kept Keppel in the game. Victor who was then substituted in doubled the lead, after he finished a good passing move involving Shivaanan and Safar, with a neat left-foot shot inside the box. 2-0 at half-time.

Kamikaze knew that they needed one more goal to seal off the game, but they did not expect the intensity of Keppel's attacks, as repeated long punts kept putting the defence under pressure. Save for some last-ditch tackling and the crossbar, the team could have been pegged back. However, a neat passing movement involving Fazail and Safar ended the game, as Kamikaze won their second penalty of the match after a professional foul on Safar inside the box. Gerard stepped up to slam home the goal in an ice-cool manner and the game was all but over.

But there was still time for the Fazail-Safar show, as Safar latched on to a through ball from Fazail and made no mistake inside the box. Fazail, then deservedly got a goal for his efforts after an excellent cut-back from Yeli.

The Gaffer was visibly pleased at the post-match interview,

"It was a good answer to the critics. There were some hopeful eyes, praying we'd lose some points, but I think the lads settled that pretty well. A 5-0 win against a title-contender is a satisfying result and now, we are going to focus on taking one game at a time. Next week will be tough one against a very physical team, but we know we have what it takes to get a result. I really think this season has been a defining one for several of my players, including Shivaanan, who I thought had an excellent shift. Fazail once again showed what he was capable of when he is at his fittest. So, I'm very pleased with the character shown by my team."

Squad: Pratip GK, Dinesh Neshsta (c), Prem, Kishen, Barathi, Gerard, Shivaanan, Fazail, Vicky Hevy, Safar, Pratheep Muse, Victor, Dinzo, Aravin Yeli

Goals: Vicky Hevy, Victor, Gerard, Safar, Fazail
Assists: Safar (2), Fazail, Aravin Yeli

Final Score: Keppel Bay FC 0 - 5 Kamikaze FC

Monday, November 18, 2013

Kamikaze's Run Finally Comes to An End

ESPZEN Sunday League Season 20 Division 6

Kamikaze FC vs Paix FC

17/11/2013
1pm Kickoff
Bedok North Secondary

Kamikaze suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Paix FC which finally brought their unbeaten run to an end. The team suffered a shock squad crisis, that once again raised questions on how well the squad is being managed. But the fact that 3 players would cancel on the team just hours before kickoff can not be in any way blamed upon the management. A mad scramble during the early morning hours of the match Sunday saw a makeshift 14-man squad being assembled for this important league clash.

However, in all honesty, there was still enough depth in the squad to see out the match comfortably. Yet, of all days, this had to be the day where several players would have an off day making several uncharacteristic mistakes. A dull goalless first-half let to a cagey second half, which came to life off an handball conceded by Gerard in the defensive area leading to a penalty conceded. Paix made no mistake. However, KKZ refused to give up and continued pouring more men forward, only to be beaten via a counter attack and soon they were 2-0 down. 

When Safar struck with a well-taken individual goal 5 minutes from time, it looked like a comeback was on the cards, but more mistakes in the final-third due to a lack of composure saw the team waste good chances as they stumbled to their first defeat.

Kamikaze looked to engage in introspection as a team on the failures that led to this defeat. While the team is not looking to panic, certain processes must be put in place to ensure that squad crises are never heard of again. While the title race has been blown open, Kamikaze is still in pole position to win their first ever ESPZEN title in their debut season. 

Can the players rise up from this blip? Can they bounce back against Keppel Bay who will be baying for their blood? Watch this space.

KAMIKAZE!!!

Squad: Pratip GK, Kishen, Dinesh Neshsta, Anand Spaceship, Barathi, Karthik Doctor, Gerard, Joseph, Safar,, Balan, Victor, Prem, Dinzo, Vinnie 

Goals: Safar
Assists: Karthik Doctor

Final Score: Kamikaze FC 1 - 2 Paix FC

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Kamikaze Juniors Win Again

Kamikaze Youths vs Mixed Reds
Friendly @ Henderson Secondary
9/11/2013
3pm Kickoff

Match Report By Pratip Kumar

Kamikaze Jrs enjoyed a comprehensive victory on Saturday. The team started with a positive mindset and wanted to win the match in style, which they did.

The first half was all Kamikaze as they kept asking questions of the opponents' defence. However, with the opponents running tirelessly and their keeper being in scintillating form, the game was kept 0-0 at half-time.

It looked like it needed something magical to break the deadlock, and when the goal came, it did come in some incredible fashion. Vishnu proved his capability by scoring an Ibrahimovic-style half-volley from 30-yards out which looped over the helpless keeper, who till that point was having a blinder of a game. Once the goal went in, the floodgates opened.

Second goal came via a setpiece with Vinnie turning provider. From a outswinging corner, Vinnie headed the ball back into the 6-yard box for Hasiim to head it in to the back of the net. Just when it was starting to look like a comfortable match, a defensive mix-up saw the opponents pulling one back with the striker through on an open goal.

The Juniors however showed good composure and continued their good passing movements which paid dividends as they went on to score one more. After an excellent team play, Victor squared the ball back for Hasiim who calmly sidefooted it into the goal.

The opponents, however, refused to give up and another mix up, this time between Saai and the Keeper Pratip, saw the striker easily gaining possession and looping the ball into an empty net.

Just when it looked like a melt-down was on the cards, Jo, who had an awesome shift, combined with another new player Visnu V2, who had an absolutely outstanding afternoon. Their 1-2 passing movement saw Jo being put through with an exquisite ball by Visnu V2, and he made no mistake with a clinical finish.

The final score ended 4-2 and there were many positives to be taken by the team. Visnu V2 showed great potential, while Joseph, Arjun and Hasiim showed their class in midfield. With Vinnie, Prabhu and Vishnu showing good predatory instincts, the team is looking to be in fine form. However, they have to sort out their occasional defensive slip-ups to look as genuine title contenders.

In the Press Conference, the Team Managers Victor and Neshsta announced, that the team would be joining a new league soon, details of which would be revealed in the coming days.

Watch This Space!!!

Squad: Pratip, Apek, Saai, Alvin, Neshsta, Shameem, Jo, Hasiim, Arjun, Vinnie, Vishnu, Visnu V2, Prabhu, Victor

Goals: Vishnu, Hasiim (2), Jo
Assists: Vinnie, Victor, Visnu V2

Final Score: Kamikaze Youths 4 - 2 Mixed Reds 

Monday, November 11, 2013

Kamikaze Notch 7th Win of Campaign

ESPZEN Sunday League Season 20 Division 6

Chap Pah Lang vs Kamikaze FC

10/11/2013
1pm Kickoff
Yusof Ishak Secondary


Kamikaze headed down on to Yusof Ishak pitch rejuvenated after a 1-week Deepavali break. But it took a while before the fireworks went off. However, once they got going, the sparkles lit brightly as KKZ racked up another dominant scoreline.

Dinesh Manjan opened the scoring after yet another assist from Safar. Captain Suresh USPO soon doubled the lead by heading in a corner which resembled a training-ground routine and celebrated ecstatically. Safar then wasted no time in getting in on the act after being played in by Pratheep. Hara decided to join in the party by scoring a 30-yard screamer which gave the keeper absolutely no chance, and the rout for the half was completed by Mohaan who once again underlined his importance to the team. 6-0 at half-time.

The second-half was strangely a dour affair, as KKZ seemed to lack the penetration shown in the first half. The team looked content to pass the ball around, and Chap Pah Lang took the invitation by pulling back one goal via a penalty. However, that goal would prove to be no more than a consolation as Safar restored the 6-goal lead, latching on to a defence-splitting pass from Spaceship and making no mistake inside the 6-yard box. Victor got one for his toils too, after playing a neat one-two pass with Shivaanan. The scoreline was completed by the Man-of-the-Match Safar, who once again showed why he is such a highly-sought after player as ran into the box beating the offside trap and backheeled the ball past the hapless keeper.

In all honesty, it was a satisfying game for Kamikaze as they experimented with multiple formations throughout the course of the game and came out with a good win. This bodes well for the confidence of the team and they are now ready to accept Team Mentor Victor's challenge of ending the season unbeaten.

In his post-match conference, Victor had this to say,

"We will, in all probability, never get another chance like this to end a season unbeaten. But it will not be easy. It requires us to overcome our greatest opponent: Ourselves, and Our complacency. The attitude that turning up for a game guarantees victory has to be thrown out of the window. We should remember to focus and give our total commitment for the full duration of the game."

Will Kamikaze end the season unbeaten? What will the team's reply to this challenge be? Watch this space...

KAMIKAZE!!!


Squad: Pratip GK, USPO Suresh (c), Dinesh Neshsta, Anand Spaceship, Haravin, Karthik Doctor, Mohaan, Barathi, Pratheep, Dinesh Manjan, Safar, Victor, Gerard, Prem, Fazail, Shivaanan, Aravin Yeli 

Goals: Manjan, USPO Suresh, Safar (4), Hara, Mohaan, Victor
Assists: Safar (2), Barathi, Pratheep, Anand (2), Haravin, Shivaanan, Karthik Doctor

Final Score: Chap Pah Lang 1 - 9 Kamikaze FC