So... it was the beginning of a huge run of consecutive games against the other title contenders in InnerCircle FC, Futbolistas FC and Poseur FC. Like what Sir Alex Ferguson would say, "It's the squeaky bum time."ESFC turned up with what could be seen as the most powerful squad ever in their four years history. Well, except for the goalie position as Ah Liang suffered an unfortunate injury and everybody's finger crossed that he would be available for the next crunch match. However, some late arrivals meant that the team could not start the strongest starting XI considering the players available. Zifu started (volunteered) in goal with Zhong and Uda continuing their central defense partnership as Weilin and Eugene reprised their fullback roles. Ashley and Jason Ang were partnered in central midfield with the wings covered by Boon and St. Kenneth and Kim were the strikers. Adib, Reyro, Peng and Sebas were on the bench.
The match started off with each team trying to gain an early advantage. ESFC started to gain possession slowly over the first 5 minutes and it was all about pressure from there on. InnerCircle were trying to soak up the pressure, putting 8 players around the penalty area and hitting on the counter with their flamboyant striker. It would take a set piece in the 10th minute to break down InnerCircle's resistance as Boon floated in a ball to the far post from a corner kick that was headed in by Uda for his first goal for the club.
Peng came in for Kim to make his league debut and played the support striker position. It didn't take long for him to leave his mark as he just had to stick the ball into the back of the net from an inch perfect cross from Boon down the flank in the 40th minute.
HT and ESFC stuck with the same players after having made some changes during the first half with Adib playing right-back, Reyro playing striker, ST playing left-back and Sebas playing the right wing.
Another set piece - this time from Jason Ang - found Adib lurking in the penalty area and he duly tapped in from close range. InnerCircle hit one back immediately as the defense went to sleep and allowed the flamboyant striker time and space in the penalty area to score. A short corner taken fast caught InnerCircle by surprise and Peng took his time before laying a beautiful low cross for Adib, who fired a thumping shot from close range. Again, InnerCircle hit back almost immediately as a lapse in concentration allowed the InnerCircle striker to send the ball into the bottom corner.
Peng decided to take matter into his own hands - or rather legs in this case - and upon receiving the ball in ESFC's own half, launched a mazy run that could not be stopped by InnerCircle. From 30 yards out, the elegant forward launched an unstoppable drive to the top corner that even the best keeper could not be able to save.
Well, ESFC thought that could have destroyed InnerCircle's confidence but to their credit, they carried on fighting and scored from the kick-off immediately, having spotted Zifu and the rest of the team still celebrating Peng's goal.
Now, ESFC were in destroy mode and the game opened up even further as InnerCircle tried to capitalize on the former's complacency. In the 75th minute, Peng turned provider as an exquisite pass found Boon from the edge of the box but he still had much to do with the last defender breathing down his neck . A sharp turn left the defender for dead and Boon duly sent the ball beyond the reach of the goalie and into the net.
A dummy run made by Weilin down the right flank caught InnerCircle by surprise and they stopped play, thinking that the teleporter was offside. Well, they're right! But the teleporter wasn't in the play when the ball was released to his direction. In fact, he teleported back almost immediately while Kenneth took the ball down the flank and scored from close range. An intelligent play indeed! InnerCircle's resurgence ended but ESFC had to put the nails in the coffin and Kenneth unselfishly passed the ball to Sebas to score from close range in the final kick of the game.
A high scoring game that the spectators and neutrals would be proud of. It was another positive team effort as ESFC controlled large periods of the game and were clinical in front of goal. But then it was also another classic ESFC: Falling asleep after scoring goals and letting the opponents had a few back as the defense did allow them a bit more space in the final ESFC third than they should have. Nonetheless, it was a good vintage performance from ESFC and it was fascinating to see the new midfield three in Ashley, Jason Ang and Peng combining well and pulling strings from the center. And of course, there are not enough superlatives to describe Peng as he was simply unstoppable on the attack and the team have truly missed his presence. Special mention also for Zifu for his selflessness in doing the easiest job in ESFC and we sincerely hope that we do not require his service any time soon. In other words, we hope Ah Liang recovers as soon as possible. :)
Finally, big games like that are what the competitive nature in us crave for. And if you guys need more psyching up, scouts from Futbolistas FC were present to watch us play and next week's game promises to be one of the most important matches in our short history.
