<<<<MATCH REPORT FOR 12 JAN 2003>>>>
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The first match for the new year was REDS FC against Rugby Union Of China(RUOC) at the former's homeground,Spottiswoode Park.Both sides were looking pleased with the cool weather but were horrified as their boots sunk deep into patches of intimidating mud during the warm-up.
With the exception of Chester and Alfred,REDS FC had a full squad ready to play after a week's break.The only change to the starting line-up was Robin starting in goal.
The first quarter saw RUOC taking the game to the Reds.REDS FC were finding difficulty getting the ball out of their own half.The goalkicks from Robin were not being met or won by the midfielders who really lost out in terms of size.RUOC were huge and aggressive,and the majority of goalkicks and clearances from the Reds were being intercepted and turned into fast-paced attacks down the flanks,forcing the Reds left and
right backs to commit before swinging the crosses to the centre.
Pat and Kelvin were having a tough
time matching up to the wingers,but managed to keep their composure nonetheless.At times,RUOC looked extremely dangerous when their strikers broke through the centre and took shots after shots at goal,but there wasn't really any attempt that troubled the Reds keeper.
REDS FC trailed for first time in a long while when one of the crosses was failed to be cleared
by the usually steady centre-backs,and landed nicely for RUOC's Chow Yuen Fat who couldn't have missed from that distance.
Several subtitutions were made after the goal.Colin took his place behind goal and wonder boy Russell came in search for the equaliser.
RUOC did not stop piling up the pressure though,they continued winning balls in the air and outplayed the midfielders with their
size.Khai,Bara and Lawrence were not feeding the strikeforce enough and often lost out physically.Manager had to come out due to a weak ankle.
The defence on the other hand were
determined not to let in another goal and did well to frustrate RUOC's forwards with their no nonsense defending.
It wasn't a totally one sided game
because there was some action at the
other end too as Alvin Ang had a scoring chance but shot it wide.Striker Alvin had a few chances as well but lost out physically,and then the much needed equaliser came
at the stroke of half-time when Jimmy played quicksilver Russ through,who side-stepped the keeper before slotting the ball home.The boys went into the dressing room with one a piece.
In the second half,with the inclusion of Damien,REDS FC began brightly but it was the opponents who took the lead again.The cross came in from the other side this time and due to some bad marking,RUOC's skipper managed to put them deservingly ahead once again.The Reds led their nerves get to them and RUOC subjected the Red's defence to a jittery second half.
Manager Robin sensed the disheartening lack of morale in the team and tried to get them fired up.
They were rewarded,when defender right-back Kelvin netted his first goal for the team after Alvin got tackled outside the box and Kel kept admirably cool and floated a strange but effective looking shot over the keeper into the goal to put REDS FC level again.
Maybe they let the celebrations get to their head and RUOC capitalised on that and
went ahead.Jem and Alvin Ang failed to execute a routine clearance and
lady luck was on their RUOC's side beacause it fell once again nicely for Chin Chung Cheng to shoot it past the flustered Colin.
RUOC put REDS FC's six-match unbeaten run in severe jeopardy when they extended their lead five minutes later from a direct free kick.Big Moose's shot curled sweetly to the top corner.Colin had no chance and Ian failed to get a head to it.
The Reds of the past would have hung their heads and give up but the
Reds team that we saw were totally different and continued to push on with their heads held high.Their fighting spirit was truelly commendable.Ian began spearheading the attack with his rejuvenated spurts upfront.
They managed to pull one back with ten minutes remaining.Damien given too much space and time played Russ
through on goal.There were calls for off-side ironically from the only defender who was playing Russ onside.The score was 4-3 with very little time remaining.Manager R made some tactical changes,and the Reds gave all they had or wat little they had left to get the equaliser.
Russ on another occasion was not able to beat the keeper who threw his body at the oncoming ball.The final chance probably was when Alvin
Ang flicked the ball past goalmouth
but Derrick was abit slow to get to the ball.
RUOC rendered REDS FC their first defeat after so long,but i guess it was about time they lost,but the spirits of the players remained high
because they knew it was a match well fought and worthy of praise. -
Good report Havoline... but I sense the sarcasm on being termed Quicksilver...
Anyway, you might want to keep all the match reports under one thread. That will be a much neater way to read and refer to previous matches. Just a suggestion...
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I must admit the defence didt had a good game on sun....,we s/dnt have concede those silly goals & also gave away a needless free kick dat resulted in the killer 4th goal; i have to shoulder the blame, together wtih my extra pounds around the waist (russell u better stop giggling) bt no discredit to the opponets as they were definitely the better team.....bt one thing for sure we need to play on better field conditions if we are to improve.....playg at our own home grd gives the advantage, hwever to have a better indication of our play we s/d have more away games.......Originally posted by Shadow_R:Good report Havoline... but I sense the sarcasm on being termed Quicksilver...
Anyway, you might want to keep all the match reports under one thread. That will be a much neater way to read and refer to previous matches. Just a suggestion... -
i agree...playing at our home ground may be a disadvantage to us when we are playing those big physical guys. really hard to keep the passes on the ground let alone running with the ball. at times, the game yesterday was more like a mud-wrestling contest rather than anything else.Originally posted by devil_charles13:I must admit the defence didt had a good game on sun....,we s/dnt have concede those silly goals & also gave away a needless free kick dat resulted in the killer 4th goal; i have to shoulder the blame, together wtih my extra pounds around the waist (russell u better stop giggling) bt no discredit to the opponets as they were definitely the better team.....bt one thing for sure we need to play on better field conditions if we are to improve.....playg at our own home grd gives the advantage, hwever to have a better indication of our play we s/d have more away games.......
looking forward to our away game next week....it's a new school so let's hope that its field is still in good condition. 
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No la...it wasn't meant to be sarcastic or anything,you do always outrun the defenders before meeting the goalie and then scoring,so you have to be fast....or look fast at least,if you insist its not true......Good suggestion for the all the reports on one thread,i shall decide from next report onwardsOriginally posted by Shadow_R:Good report Havoline... but I sense the sarcasm on being termed Quicksilver...
Anyway, you might want to keep all the match reports under one thread. That will be a much neater way to read and refer to previous matches. Just a suggestion... -
actually i'd like to see our wingbacks get more involved in our attacks...since we dun have natural pacy wingers, might be useful to get people like ian and pat to do overlapping runs down the flanks...no point keeping our back 4 static at the back..need more options/variations in our attacks.
juz a suggestion, wat u guys think? -
Havo boy... i agree wif shadow boy. guess it will b betta if u could compile the reports together so we could view all ur brillant reports (old and new) at 1 go. kai boy... i agree wif u. however, i guess its will haf to depend on the opposition. esp, if they haf quick nippy wingers, we may be caught. on top of dat, the fittness will be crucial for our defence and midfield to allow dat.... juz a tot... Anyway.... we shall come back stronger the next match yeh !!!! OOOZzzzzz!!!!
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Just saw the Chelsea vs Birmingham match on the EPL highlights last night... looking at the state of the "beach" at Stamford Ground, suddenly our homeground doesn't seem that bad after all...Originally posted by kai28:i agree...playing at our home ground may be a disadvantage to us when we are playing those big physical guys. really hard to keep the passes on the ground let alone running with the ball. at times, the game yesterday was more like a mud-wrestling contest rather than anything else. looking forward to our away game next week....it's a new school so let's hope that its field is still in good condition. 
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If want to play overlapping,can do because Ian,Pat and Kelvin all can fit in overlapping roles i feel but then have to make sure the midfielders cover their positions when they go up.
Its time we play on a decent field,to
determine whether we really can string our passes together nicely or have actually depended on the mud to disrupt the opponent's flow.....
I shall start a new topic called MATCH REPORTS....after next week's match and all the subsequent matches
will be stored in there. -
Haha... I have the same sentiments. Although I am looking forward to playing on a better field, I am also wondering how we will fare...Originally posted by hav0line:If want to play overlapping,can do because Ian,Pat and Kelvin all can fit in overlapping roles i feel but then have to make sure the midfielders cover their positions when they go up.
Its time we play on a decent field,to
determine whether we really can string our passes together nicely or have actually depended on the mud to disrupt the opponent's flow.....
I shall start a new topic called MATCH REPORTS....after next week's match and all the subsequent matches
will be stored in there. But I honestly believe that we will perform better... -
I feel we definitely will fare better on a pitch with better surface,because we have players like Khai and Damien who can hold on to the ball and can show their true potential in spreading the play if there is no mud patches hindering them.
For the defence,i dun see much difference coz we will slide rain or shine,day or night!!!
The strikers will be happy that the through passes can come in the form of grounders instead of lobbing passes all the time. -
Hmmmm... I wonder if I'll run faster on a better pitch??
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uummmm.....bro, when we play at st wilfred later, whether it's day or night, rain or shine, pls dun slide too much ok....i need shadow to send me home, not drive u to hospital..Originally posted by hav0line:I feel we definitely will fare better on a pitch with better surface,because we have players like Khai and Damien who can hold on to the ball and can show their true potential in spreading the play if there is no mud patches hindering them.
For the defence,i dun see much difference coz we will slide rain or shine,day or night!!!
The strikers will be happy that the through passes can come in the form of grounders instead of lobbing passes all the time. -
Actually i better think twice abt sliding next time,me knee getting loose u know wat i mean....haiz...retire la!!
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u sure your knee problems bcoz of soccer?? or is it bcoz of your nite activities??? wat's this i hear about your love affair with changi village????Originally posted by hav0line:Actually i better think twice abt sliding next time,me knee getting loose u know wat i mean....haiz...retire la!! -
Love affair?? Havoline, I dun care what you do, but if your late Saturday nights affect your soccer, our manager will take you in hand!!!Originally posted by kai28:u sure your knee problems bcoz of soccer?? or is it bcoz of your nite activities??? wat's this i hear about your love affair with changi village???? 
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Hey come on guys,i am totally dedicated to REDS FOOTBALL CLUB ok,i will give my 100 percent,if i had to play with loose knees,i would!!!
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wywy's sentiments exactly....Originally posted by hav0line:Hey come on guys,i am totally dedicated to REDS FOOTBALL CLUB ok,i will give my 100 percent,if i had to play with loose knees,i would!!! -
Hahaha... Steady lah!!Originally posted by hav0line:Hey come on guys,i am totally dedicated to REDS FOOTBALL CLUB ok,i will give my 100 percent,if i had to play with loose knees,i would!!!