Match Day 4

Opponent: Subbuteo FC
Jersey Colors: Red / White / Red
Date: 9th Oct 11
Time: 1100hrs (Fall in @ 1030hrs)
Venue: Astro @ Serangoon Garden Sec
Place to park your cars: Right outside the sch
Probable Squad:

1. Ah Liang
   
2. Zhong
3. Zifu
   
4. Lionel
   
5. Weilin
6. Eugene
   
7. Jason Ang
8. Ashley
   
9. Weimin
10. St
11. Yenhao
12. Sebas
13. Reyro
    
14. Adib (45 mins)
    

Not a lot is known about Subbuteo FC and ESFC must be on their guard if they want to widen the gap against Futbolistas FC who surprisingly lost last week.

ESFC 2 - 0 Pakiyoko FC

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.

Match Day 3

Opponent: Pakiyoko FC
Jersey Colors: Red / White / Red
Date: 2nd Oct 11
Time: 1100hrs (Fall in @ 1030hrs)
Venue: Astro @ Meridian JC
Place to park your cars: B/649B MSCP
Probable Squad:

1. Ah Liang
   
2. Uda
3. Zhong
   
4. Zifu
   
5. Weilin
6. Jason Ang
7. Weimin
8. St
9. Guoxing
10. Boon
    
11. Kim
    
12. Adib

ESFC will be up against a wounded Pakiyoko side which had lost their last two games and will be even more determined to win their next. Recent records have shown Pakiyoko FC to be slow starters but their losses should not be taken as a sign of their weakness.

I watched them last week and I was very impressed. They didn't let their heads down despite being dominated by Futbolistas FC. Complacency is our strongest enemy. It's heady heights for us now, but we cannot get carried away because it is still early days.

My Game is Fair Play

It is my utmost honor to announce that we have won the Fair Play Award for ESPZEN Sunday League Season 15.

The team should be applauded for showing a high level of sportsmanship and restraint(in the case of Ethan) throughout the successful campaign of Season 15.

Lets keep up the good work!

ESFC 6 - 1 Arima Singapura FC

Apologies for the tardiness of this match report. We needed the dust to settle down first before writing this report or else....

Alright, lets skip the mess and go straight to the action for now. ESFC fielded an experimental XI, with a couple of new signings chosen straight for the firing line against a Arima Singapura FC side. Ah Liang resumed his role as the custodian with WL and Zifu the fullbacks, new Japanese import Captain Tsubasa or also formally known as Uda forming a strategic partnership with former captain Ethanol (he always says he's neutral). Another new signing, Ashley, was paired up with midfield commander Jason Ang and they were winged by WM and Zhong. Kim and Adib continued their partnership in front. Lionel and last season's hotshot Nathan were on the bench.

ESFC kicked off proceedings in fairly convincing fashion, with both clubs moving the ball forward into the attack. Arima appeared a touch sharper from the onset, but that soon settled, as nothing seemed to go through the impressive Uda who also inspired the rest of the team, particularly Ethan, to step up their game. ESFC showed verve going forward, with Kim, Adib, Zhong and Ashley all drifting into dangerous areas without a goal to show.

But, fortune favors the bold and ESFC were rewarded in the 25th minute when Ashley curled the ball over the wall from 30 yards to score on his debut. ESFC showed that they could also take the 'route one' method as a goal kick from Ah Liang was flicked by Adib into the path of Kim who slotted the ball neatly into the bottom right corner.

Half-time and 2-0 up, it looked to be a fantastic afternoon for ESFC. Or so it seemed, until Arima stepped up their game in the second half with more pace and persistence. Nathan was drafted in to replace Adib in the front line. But it was Zhong who helped to inspire the third goal for ESFC as he hassled the opposition defenders and caused them to score an own goal.

However, by this time, the ESFC defense was slowly overwhelmed and Arima were awarded a dubious penalty after Uda was judged to have fouled the opposition striker in the box. Ah Liang was unlucky not to repeat last week's heroic as he couldn't save the penalty despite putting a strong hand to it.

ESFC switched formation to 4-5-1 midway through the second half to help tide the team over. A counter-attack move down the left provided the pass for Nathan to slot the ball in from close range and that took the wind out of the sails for Arima. It was all about ESFC from that moment on.

Zhong, who was becoming the most influential player on the pitch, threaded a peach of a pass through the centre into the path of Kim and who duly unleashed a shot into the near post. By then, Arima had given up but ESFC had many 4v2 situations which they failed to take advantage of. Kim, in particular, took three chances to complete his hat-trick for the team and this came from a flick-on from Nathan in the box for the former to direct a half-volley into the net.

MOTM: Uda for his impressive debut and the way he marshaled the defense despite knowing a little bit of English. Football is indeed a universal language. Oh, and I like the way he shouted, 'Uda!' when he wanted to clear the ball. We always shout, 'MINE!' and this is something we should learn from Uda.