Playing against a Pakiyoko FC side that were eager to arrest their recent dismay form, ESFC had to step up their game by a few notches. A switch in formation to 4-4-1-1 saw Weilin, Uda, Zhong and Zifu at the back, a central midfield pairing of Adib and Jason Ang that were flanked by league debutant St and Gx. Boon played the trequartista role with Kim up top.Pakiyoko FC started the game and showed their intention immediately to take advantage of the huge pitch at Meridian JC with an astute passing game. However, a strong line-up with a high tempo pressing game ensured that Pakiyoko FC couldn't penetrate through the midfield and had to resort to some long distance shots that did not bother the goalie. The impressive central defense pairing of Uda and Zhong ensured Simon hardly touch the ball in the game. In fact, the only times Simon did touch the ball were when he had to pick the ball up as it went out of play from the potshots of Pakiyoko FC.
However, ESFC also lacked the final cutting edge despite having the majority of the possession. Kim nearly drew first blood as he failed to connect (i.e. team interpreted it as no effort) from St's cross-cum-shot from the left after a good through ball from Boon. St, himself, could have scored from outside the box as his volley went inches off the top corner. An impressive low cross from Gx on the right found St and the latter laid the ball onto Boon's path. Unfortunately, Boon's shot was saved by the goalie. A poor clearance from Pakiyoko FC allowed Zhong to execute a volley which went agonizing close.
Half-time and the team was encouraged to keep probing and Gx was switched to be the striker with Weimin coming in on the left. Immediately, this paid dividends as a couple of exquisite passing early in the 2nd half released Adib who provided the cross for Gx to tap-in. A few minutes later, Adib found himself outside the edge of the box and released a wondrous shot that beat the goalie. And it ended that way as ESFC failed to put off some clear-cut chances.
In general, this was a good team display as both the midfield and defense were collective in ensuing that there was no space for the opposition to exploit. As usual, there were some standout performers - The back line was superb but Uda was, again, mostly excellent and particularly effective when heading clear. Jason Ang was the midfield commando commander, covering ground up and down the pitch and breaking up play from open to close. And the return of the flying wingers, Gx and St, meant that Pakiyoko FC should be having some aching bodies now. Most impressive was Adib whose industrious display was capped by an impossible shot that will have a strong case for the goal of the season. He duly deserved the MOTM.
