Kamikaze Start their New Campaign with a Win

MOF SEASON 5 DIVISION 1
ROUND 1
KAMIKAZE vs KOJA'S BOYS
3pm Regent Secondary

It was an opening encounter for Kamikaze that was without all the fanfare and frills associated with previous league opening matches. Playing in 4th new league in 4 seasons, Kamikaze had entered the league looking for yet another new challenge. Although the team has been lucky to win 3 titles in a row, the manner in which they had done so, breezing to victories, hasn't really got anyone waxing lyricals about the strength of this team. Yet, when you have a starting line-up that saw players like Mohaan, Safar, Barathi and Siva starting on the bench, you know that this new-look KKZ outfit is definitely not short of depth nor quality.

The opening exchanges with Koja's Boys was highly encouraging as the team was patient to string the ball around the tight lines that Koja Boys were holding. Kamikaze knew that the longer they held on to the ball, the higher their chances of breaking the deadlock were. That moment came in the 10th minute, as Sasi raced on to a neatly threaded through-ball from Oswind and gave the goalkeeper no chance with a solid strike. 1-0 to Kamikaze.

If that was the cue to opening the floodgates, no one heard it, as the half ended with the scores unchanged. The second half was to be more positive, as Safar just took 7 minutes to introduce his arrival after playing a series of 1-2s with Oswind before he laid the ball onto the path of Hevy who made no mistake as he slammed home the ball.

However, there was to be some drama, as a long aimless punt somehow beat Yeli who was the stand-in keeper and the deficit was once again pegged down to 1. The team knew they had to get the third goal.

The third goal did not take too long to come, however, as Spachship acrobatically threw himself into the path of the cross after some goodwork by Sasi to deliver the ball in from the bye-line. At 3-1, the game was all but over, but there was still time for Yeli to redeem himself as he pulled off 2 point blank saves to prevent handing any momentum over to their opponents, before Safar ended the contest with a well-taken striker.

Although it was a convincing scoreline, the Acting Manager Victor, who was deputising for Jayaseelan, did not seem too pleased.

"Let's be honest here. Our passing was in shambles. I doubt we strung together more than 6 passes in a row, and too often we were trying to force the play in. I know my players are top acts, but they need to understand that to win a league as competitive as this, we have to be consistent. I doubt we are gonna walk through opponents, so I expect a better attitude in the next game. Nonetheless, I will admit, there were some really good goals scored. Generally, the mood in the game is also much better. Now, its time to translate that happiness into the pitch."

Will Kamikaze win their 4th League Title in a row? Watch this space!!!

KAMIKAZE!!!

Squad: Aravin Yeli (GK), Dinesh Neshsta, Suresh Uspo, Dinzo, Kishen, Premnathan(c), Oswind, Fazail, Sasi, Anand Spaceship, Hevy, Mohaan, Barathi, Siva, Safar 

Goals: Sasi, Hevy, Anand, Safar 
Assists: Oswind, Safar, Sasi

Final Score: Kamikaze 4 - 1 Koja's Boys