Team FATA

One of the lowest turn out and one of the, if not the weakest linkup Team FATA ever fielded. Only 10 out of 20 Fatarians made it and we needed the help of 2 outside friends to make up the numbers. Real bad.

Anyway, it was a debut match for Qun Fa as he stands in between the post (I have to emphasis that this is not his primary position.. if not he will keep yelling at me!!).

First Half (4-4-1-1)
Collin
Galvin
Xiang Hui Siong Wei Amos Kenneth
Jin Hao Sean Zhen Hui Augustus
Qun Fa

The opponent began the first half strongly with most of us chasing shadows. We were into another dimension as they played really good flowing football, one of the better we ever played against. Making full use of the width at St Wilfrid, our players were exhausted by all the closing down and running, leaving the centre of the midfield empty at occasion. We went 1 goal down from a corner kick with about 20min into the game. They made it 2 nil soon after. Team FATA was demoralised greatly by their flowing football and we were practically chasing smoke in the first half.

Second Half (4-4-1-1)
Amos
Galvin
Qun Fa Siong Wei Collin Kenneth
Marcus Sean Zhen Hui Augustus
Xiang Hui

After some swift decision on the switching of players in the middle of the field between Amos and Collin, and with Siong Wei tasked to run an imaginary MRT track in the middle of the park, Team FATA finally gave their opponent a match. With Marcus (Collin's friend) coming in to strengthen the defense line as left-back, we looked more comfortable going forward. As mentioned always, the engine room lies in the centre of the park. With Galvin, Siong Wei and Collin communicating more often in the middle, we managed to gain control of the game in the early minutes.

A handballed by their defender gave Team FATA their second penalty kick. While William (GK) was not seen dashing all the way up from his goalkeeping line, Collin stepped up for the spot and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. Minutes later, a crossfield ball from Marcus left Galvin beating the offside trap but only to hit the near post. It could have turned the game around! Nevertheless, we continued storming forward but found ourselves tracking back to cope with their long through ball. Our offside trap was beaten as they scored another to make it 3-1.

A good pressure by Qun Fa on the left flank gave us a corner kick. A short pass to Galvin before he made a cross in to find Collin unmarked just inside the penalty box. He leaped and gave a power header to head the ball into the far post, beyond the stretch of the keeper. 3-2. The match ended with 2-4 to Team FATA.

- Centre Midfield was empty on few occasions in the first half. We need a "lung less" midfield general to close down in opponent in the centre of the park. Anyone?
- We did not make full use of the width to pass the ball around.
- We need to try achieving the stage whereby there will be more than 2 players to pass the ball to whenever a player got the ball.
- A lack of experience proved deadly as the opponent scored a quick free kick when our wall and keeper were not ready.
- We need to pass the ball up to the midfield as our goalkeeper does not have a good goal kick.

The good
- Reasonably good debut for Qun Fa especially as an outfield player.
- Thumbs up to our centre backs Sean and Zhen Hui. They are staking a claim to Matthew and Wee Hian!
- The ever realiably Augustus is staking a claim to Zhen Hui for the right-back position! Kudos to Augustus for the constant shouting in the 2nd half which was badly needed in our team.

Wee Hian is arranging a match against his friend's team, Maestro FC, a team with Sunsports as well. Most probably it will be on 20th July. However, I might not be able to join you guys for this match as my post-marathon injury is still haunting me. Shall wait for Wee Hian to get back to us.

As for the match on the 27th against Amos Uncle team, the match is confirmed. 3pm kick-off at Punggol Sec Sch. It is within walking distance from Punggol MRT Station. The time to meet at the MRT is 2pm. Please let me know if you are coming for this match.

Our only 2 matches in the month of July, lets nick it!

Lastly, please give me your schedule for the month of August 08 (damn, time passed really fast).