Score: 5-4
Scorers: Glenn (2), Ben (1), Darryl (1), Wai Meng (1)
Venue: Tanjong Katong Secondary School
Match report by: Maxim Shrestha
The Penguins came together somewhere around the Middle Eastlands of Singapore, on a beautiful Saturday evening, for their fifth match against 13 Melayus & 1 Ang moh FC (13M+1AM). Despite both teams showing up on time, there was a slight delay to kick-off due to some referee punctuality issues. As is always the case, the Penguins used this opportunity to their advantage and proceeded to warm-up physically and mentally for the clash at hand. Some would argue later that this was vital in the eventual outcome of the match.
The first half got underway with immediate pressure from 13M+1AM. With a relatively slightly older squad, the experience and overall technical superiority of the 13&1 was clear from very early on. Playing a very high midfield line, the pressure on the Penguins defense was immediately felt. With great flank play and great searching crosses thrown into the area, it was little surprise that 13M&1AM went two goals up within the first 20 minutes. In fact, given the number of chances they missed, thanks to Rico’s valiant saves and their lack of a finishing touch, the Penguins were lucky to not have fallen even further behind.
This less than perfect start for the Penguins needed to be addressed immediately, and so captain Ben Boo introduced himself into the game after a substitution. The impact was instantaneous. A perfect through ball from midfield saw the captain run through the middle and place the ball in the back of the net. 2-1.
The defense was still being stretched by 13M+1AM’s four midfielders and two centre forwards and it wasn’t long before they added yet another to their tally to give them the 2 goal cushion yet again. The Penguins persevered though, and after a few tough midfield battles and a defensive lapse, Daryll (DE9) managed to evade the defenders and tuck a beauty into the far post to bring the Penguins back 3-2.
The intensity was pushed a notch higher. Both teams now knew they had a game in hand. As the first half progressed the Penguins shape improved and 13M+1AM were confronted with strong resistance. Towards the dying minutes of the half, after another great movement forward, the Penguins won themselves a corner. The resulting attacking kick threw the defenders into disarray and it was the quick thinking and the agility of Glenn Wray that resulted with the ball in the back of the net yet again. The game went into the interval delicately poised at 3-3. The wives and kids of 13M+1AM were in for a mega second half.
At half-time Captain Boo correctly noted the lack of presence in the middle and the resultant pressure on defense. He decided to change tactics to a 5-4-1 or more to the likes of 5-1-3-1, with a defensive midfield to bolster the centre of the park. The change was a piece of tactical genius.
Immediately the Penguins saw much more of the ball, controlled midfield and kept possession. The pressure was now on 13M+1AM as they desperately tried to stop Kenneth in the middle, Wray on the wings and the Messi-esque Wai Meng up front. The introduction of Owain Palmer, who arrived after a long day at work, was another major boost for the Penguins. After some good interchanging plays and passes, Glenn broke from the left and using the outside of his right foot, crossed a beauty into the box, which was sent crashing into goal from a Wai Meng header. Penguins up for the first time in the game, 4-3.
13M+1AM, like most other Penguin opposition, were stunned. They suddenly played with new found vigour and pressed hard trying to level a game that they should have won in the first 20. In one of these attacking spells, they won a free kick outside the box. While the Penguins were still tracking back and trying to organize their defense, one of the 13M took a truly cheap early free kick to equalize once again. A harsh lesson for the off-guard Penguin defense.
But even in the dying minutes of the game, the spirit and coolness of the Penguins prevailed. Owain playing on the left wing, found space and made a charge at goal. Leaving his markers behind he took a cracking shot at goal. Though the goalkeeper found himself at the right place, the sting and shock of the shot made him spill it, only to find the feet of a charging Wray who placed the ball into the back of the net yet again.
Once again finding themselves down, 13M+1AM pushed desperately, playing an extremely high line, to try and find the equalizer. Penguins strongly stood their ground and successfully put away everything that came through. But on the 90th minute mark, an accidental mistimed challenge outside of the box, gave 13M+1AM one last breath of hope. This time the Penguins were quick to cover the ball, organize a wall and mark opposition.
Tension bubbled like molten lava. One of the 13M (the same one) was ready. The wall of Penguins stuck together ready to jump. Whistle… 1M takes a picture perfect curling free-kick aiming for the top right. It’s too good a kick even at our level of competition. Hope slips faster than Lehman Brothers stock… but at the very dying microsecond, a hand…. Rico, at full stretch, pushes the ball on to the crossbar and out of danger. Penguins kill of the final seconds with new found adrenaline and win 5-4.
Epic.
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