Bulletin

12 May 2010

SAIPEM MALVIVENTE 2 vs AMKOR UNITED 0

Amkor United clearly missed the touch line wisdom of Anthony and the calmness of Boon Hwee. The seasoned campaigner was forced to submission by the new boys in the league. Saipem Malvivente came prepared to battle it out for a win fighting for every ball and defending from the mid field to choke Amkor United’s attacks. This simple game plan from the start of the first half worked for Saipem. It was a classic game of Blackburn Rovers against Arsenal two seasons ago under Mark Hughes. At the end of first half, the combative play of Saipem got on Amkor United nerves resulting in them losing their rhythm and composure of play in the first half.

With Saipem dictating the game, Amkor did well with good organization at the back to defend Saipem’s attacks. However a very costly mistake led to a penalty against Amkor United. Amkor’s most reliable last man was caught handling the ball inside the “D”. But how did such an experienced player who marshaled his defense like John Terry make a mistake like that? Unfortunately he was pushed into the “D” by his own player witnessed by the referee who was just 2 meters away. Hence the penalty stood despite the protest by the penalized defender. It certainly seems he doesn’t even know who pushed him into the “D”. In summary it was a blunder of all blunders that caused Amkor to concede their first goal.

With Saipem keeping constant pressure on Amkor’s goal it was a matter of time for the second goal to materialize. And it came from a scorcher from an acute angle. Saipem certainly deserved that beautiful goal for all the hard work they brought to the game.

Amkor failed to see Saipem’s game strategy from the first minute of play. They should have fielded Richard to do all the hard fighting in the center to match Saipem. Allan and Ravi are not well suited for the physical game of Saipem. And Richard and Anthony could have brought in the physical strength to make a difference in last night’s game.

If Saipem maintains such robust play and energy, we are possibly looking at a title contender.

DSO A 9 vs KUNG FU PANDAS 0

DSO A came to play the game with just 5 players. That’s the level of confidence the team has. Even though DSO A had a strong attack, their weakness in defense was well exposed. DSO A’s last man was opened up by simple crosses into the center from both flanks. There was no cover for the running man from the center.

The score may read 9-0 but Kung Fu Pandas’s Jimmy missed 3 open goals while Ahilan missed 2 which only needed the simplest of touch to direct the ball into the net. That amounted to a whopping 5 missed goals. It makes us wonder if there were any sports bookie involved in this game because after the game Kung Fu Pandas were seen smiling and taking pictures with DSO A. An Italian job may be? Well, humor aside, this was the most interesting game to watch and learn.

The ingredients needed to win a game are simple and straight forward. All one need is team work, discipline, short passing and communication. DSO A made it look so easy in the court that winning the game seemed like just a formality. The goal line should have been 15 – 0 if not for Jason (the top scorer from last year) who was a bit rusty in his finishing in the first half. The second half was the same and DSO A showed a little out of touch in their finishing as well with the eventual result of a modest 9-0.

Kudos must be given toKung Fu Pandas for battling hard till the last whistle against DSO A.

TEAM ASCENDAS 0 vs DSO B 3

The game between Argentina and Paraguay in the World Cup Qualifier best describes this match between these two teams. Ascendas had individual skills and creative play but lacked direction and vision to go forward. Too much of individual play and holding onto the ball too long wasted Team Ascendas’ game. While DSO B did not play very talented football, they kept their industry up throughout the 20 minutes to secure the win. Their first goal in the first half against Team Ascendas came from a blunder by Team Ascendas’ last man while the last 2 goals in the final 3 minutes of the game came when Team Ascendas lost steam in their legs to defend. A simple cross from the flank into the center for a running man to tap into goal was done to perfection by DSO B. Team Ascendas’ last man could not do anything as he was clearly beaten with the center being opened up. Team Ascendas’ tracking defenders were caught out of pace and speed in the last 3 minutes of the game.

While Team Ascendas defended together for 17 minutes of the game, they failed to hold together in the last 3 minute due to a lack of fitness. As a result DSO B edged Team Ascendas in fitness and out played them in the last 3 minutes. Just like Paraguay out played Argentina last year. Fitness can make or break a game. The truth is fitness underwrites all victories in sports.