Jurong West, Singapore
After 2 weeks of break it's back to business once again as City takes on Vietnam United. It's 2nd vs 3rd placing and with Vietnam having 2 games in hand, City's option was only a win. With the pieces still missing from the jigsaw puzzle, City has to do yet again without players like Syafiq, Faizal, Hakim, Afizan, Aizam and most importantly Alang.
They started the match with no subtitutes and deployed an attacking 4-4-2 formation. This game also marks as the last match for Izzat Hashim as he will be leaving the club due to national service. City start Eizzul in goal with vice captain Safiuddin late, Xavier at right back, Yusuf and Stanton in central defence while Syaikhan at left back. Zaini started on the right wing, Indra partners captain Charlie in central midfield and Jelson took the left wing position. Upfront an emotional Izzat partners Division 9 top scorer, Airul in attack.
By the 5th min, Airul was fouled 20 yards out. Indra took the freekick and send an unstoppable dipping shot to put City infront.
2 mins later, it was 2. Airul latched onto the long ball,skips past keeper but with the angle of the goal covered, he simply lays to the unmarked Izzat who scores to the empty net from the six yards box. City looks to run wild.
Then in the 13th min, City was 3 up. Yusuf long ball was an easy routine for the goalkeeper but somehow the custodian misjudged the bounce and Airul manage to score by heading it past him
That 3-0 scoreline does not put Vietnam off as a team move in the 19 min saw VU number 13 free on the right but his shot was well saved by Eizzul.
6 min later, VU pulled a goal back. Indra trying to play his way out of defence cheaply gave away possession and freekick which VU scored beautifully with Eizzul getting a hand to it. 3-1
2min later it was 3-2. A 4 on 2 counter attack by VU was delicately done after City lost possession and the striker makes no mistake from close range.
City pressed on and in the 35th min, it was Izzat yet again. This time he picks a pass from subtitute Sufiyan, looks up and sends a screamer giving VU custodian no chance to make it 4-2 at halftime.
Halftime changes saw Hafiz coming on for Stanton. Tam replacing Charlie while Safiuddin takes the place of Jelson in a move saw Eizzul taking the right wing position.
City wanted to start where they left off and within 9 minutes of the half, referee award City with a penalty after Airul was brought down. Airul then dust himself off drive the penalty to the keeper's right but was brilliantly saved. Another penalty miss from City's top scorer.
City pressed on and on but VU defended well and suddenly the game was on. Referee judged that Hafiz seems to handle the ball and he has no option but to give the penalty which was superbly convert to cut the deficit.
Airul has one final chance to put the game beyond doubt and crush VU's hope after he bamboozles and evades few VU tackles before seeing his effort cannons off the crossbar.
Final minute of the match. VU equalised. City defence switched off and let the unmarked VU player to tap in past the onrushing Safiuddin. Referee ends the thrilling match with the scoreline tied at 4-4
City coach commented after the game, "We threw it away. The first half an hour, team really played like champions but as we see in our previous game, we like to switch off and concede late goals which we did today. It was unacceptable. We should have won this game but kudos to Vietnam United for staging a late comeback. Well mathematically, we are out of the title hunt. The playoff spot looks to be destined for us and I hope that doesn't change in the final 2 games or we might just have another season of Division 9 football.
When asked about Izzat Hashim, he said,"He's an outstanding lad. He deserved every praises. He gave 110% into his performances today and a gave us farewell 2 goals. One which deserve to be in the goal of the season. Too bad we lost a gem. A player of his quality was too hard to let go and I just hope he'll be back with us."
When asked about acquiring the services of Vietnam player, Joe Fikri, Ridwan added,"Well Joe is a good player as we see today and the game which he scored 2 goals against us. I'm looking at the possibility of signing him as a replacement for Izzat and also trying to convince him that City is a suitable club for him which he will feel the most welcome if he decided to jump ship. For now it has yet to happen"
