Honours even as title-contenders clash

MOF SEASON 6 DIVISION 2
ROUND 10
KAMIKAZE FC vs Toh Guan XI
14th Dec 2014
5pm Fuhua Secondary

It was the highly anticipated clash of 2 giants. One exciting young team perched at the top of the table, and the other a seasoned campaigner stuck in 3rd place, but quietly plotting a move up the table.

But even before the first whistle, it was the young TGXI who drew first blood as they assembled early and started their warm-ups, signalling their intent to the experienced veterans. The move paid dividends as right throughout the first half, the famed Kamikaze attack were kept in bay by their fitter opponents, and chances were hard to come by.

In all honesty, it was a cagey encounter in which neither side were willing to risk too much, but it was a slice of luck that saw the Kamikaze defender slip, and the TG winger made the chance count as he squared the ball to his forward who made no mistake inside the box.

The second-period however saw, a completely revitalised KKZ team who were determined to prove a point and they threw all they had as Kamikaze launched wave after wave of their trademark attacks down the wings. With just 9 minutes to go, their efforts paid off, as Jefri played Safar through and his low-cross found Siva who tucked the ball home to equalise and set off a frantic finish to an otherwise well-paced game.

A draw was probably a fair result, though both teams had opportunities in the second period to seal the game. TGXI will be happier with the result though, as it meant that their position at the top of the table was extended with just 3 games to play.

Manager Seelan was unperturbed though,

"It's good to see a young indian team so organised and disciplined on the pitch. TGXI will definitely become a household name in the future and there is no question about that. But on today's performance, I felt that we were more than a match for them despite having a few old legs in our team. The second leg is wonderfully poised now, but we have to get the wins coming. Any more drop of points, and the season is over."

Will Kamikaze be able to overhaul TGXI, or will they have to be contend with a second place finish. For now, all the aces rest with TGXI, but Kamikaze are wily old foxes where title races are concerned and it is still too early to write them off.

KAMIKAZE!!!


Squad: Vishnu (GK), Jayaraj, Prem (c), Nesh, Nick, Gerard, Doctor, Yeli, Barathi, Safar, Jefri, Sasi, Mohan, Yeli, Naga

Manager of The Day: Jayaseelan

Goals: Siva
Assists: Safar

Final Score: Kamikaze FC 1 - 1 TGXI
Man Of The Match: Nesh