Everyday Sunday FC were in disarray even before the match had started as the goalie left his passport at the airport and hence could not travel with the team. This meant that the team had to depend on regular outfielders Jason Chew and Zifu as the stand-in goalies.
The game started in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Jason Chew as the goalie; WeiLin, Zhong, Zifu and Eugene forming the backline; Ethan, Peng, Jason Ang, Josh and St in midfield and Nathan as the lone striker. Boon, Kim and guest player Kenneth were on the bench.
ESFC clung on and won against a spirited FC SongSang side despite going 1 nil down by the 10th minute. The defense and goalkeeper could be faulted for the strike, but the attacker has to be acclaimed with a magnificent lob that caught the stand-in goalie off guard.
This became a wake-up call to ESFC as they had plenty of possession but turned too little of it into clear-cut chances as the attackers missed a string of clear goal scoring opportunities. Luck was on ESFC's side when Josh intercepted a poor back-pass and leveled the scoreline. Sensing a change in fortunes, Kim and Boon were brought in midway in the first half with the system changing to 4-4-2. Immediately, Boon made an impact with his shot hitting the upright and landing into the path of the marauding left-back Eugene to score.
2nd-half beckoned and a brilliant cross from St was half-cleared by the opponents into the path of Boon, with his back to goal, to smash into the top corner. Kim provided fuel for his advocates and his detractors alike as he failed to covert the penalty that was brilliantly won by the penetrative run of Kenneth into the box.
Zifu, the 2nd half stand-in goalie, stopped a goal-bound free kick in the last kick of the game to hand ESFC a lucky victory.
MOTM: Josh. Perhaps inspired by the presence of his Baby G, the cultured player proved to be ever reliable in both the fullback and left-mid positions. His goal was because of his dogged persistence and perhaps he had some.... before the game. :)
Verdict: ESFC's performance was not one to savour but the result was. Such praise as they attract is normally grudging, but their spirit has to be admired. In many respects, they did not deserve anything, yet they still contrived to salvage a win.
