Chestercity lost their first league match of the season when they were beaten handsomely by JFC. With the bright hot sun at Meridian JC, City look to add points to the 3 they took in their last match against TGA Buffalos.
City’s coach revert the formation to 4-4-2 and surprisingly not in the starting line-up was their playmaker, Izzat Hashim. Safiuddin was named captain for the match and the back four welcome back last man, Tam partnering him was Sufiyan, Syaikhan was reinstate in the left-back position while Zaini found himself in an unfamiliar role of right back. Faizal took the right mid, Charlie was deployed as defensive mid, Azhar making his first start in place of Izzat in central mid and Aizam took the left wing postion.
Upfront a start for Bazil and City’s top-scorer, Airul.
As soon as the kick off, battle for possession for two team was even and within 7 min, City won a corner kick which was cleared only to the feet of Sufiyan. The stopper then unleashed a lob over the goalkeeper outside the area only to see his effort go wide. In the 14th min, Charlie steps over a freekick on the left and fro 24 yards out he shoots, the City bench were celebrating but the ball was side-netting.
In one quick attack, City defence played up high trying to catch the opponent offside but in a move saw their in form midfielder free chasing for it, Safiuddin came to the ball first but a clash with the midfielder saw the latter score into the empty net. Protest from City players was waved away by the referee. 1-0 to JFC. City’s coach then step onto the field to check on his custodian whose right cheek was swollen after the clash.
Then, it was all JFC with ball possession till halftime. City was toothless upfront. Halftime stays at 1-0.
Changes at half time saw Stanton replacing Zaini at right back and Izzat Hashim replacing Bazil. City’s coach change to a 4-3-1-2 formation pushing Aizam back upfront as a striker while Izzat Hashim play in the hole as he used to.
7 min after the restart, JFC added to their tally when their striker was being played on by Stanton and the player slotted pass City’s captain, Safiuddin. The score was 2-0.
City beginning to lose possession in the middle of the park and one which falls to Division 9’s top scorer who loft a lob from 30 yards out catching a backpaddling Safiuddin unaware but the custodian was relieve to see the shot goes wide.
In the 67min, as City pressed into attack, the game was within City’s reach, Izzat Hashim trying to play out of trouble was caught in possession by their winger who race down and slot pass the dicing Safiuddin. City then never look lively and went crashing to their first season defeat.
Final Score : Chestercity 0-3 JFC.
City Coach commented, “I’m disappointed with the defeat but congrats to the opponent today cause they are much more superior than our team today. My team performance was below par and I’m pretty upset that with 8 goals scored in the last game we are totally toothless and was out of this game from the minute they’ve scored. All the effort put in building this club will all be down to the drain if the players do not perform they are required to.”
When ask about the coach’s decision to drop Izzat, he said,”No player is bigger than the club. If his last performance was a dismal one, question yourself, would you put him back in the starting line-up? Many would say I got my tactics wrong. Well, in soccer whatever formation a team plays, every player that was selected should display good football especially those selected in the first XI. What does first XI means? It means the players selected are better than those on the bench and like I said, I’m not afraid to drop my key players cause if they don’t perform, they going to sit at the bench with me cause that is where they belong.”
