Yew Tee - The Emeralds recorded their first defeat of the season in their first ever match of the new year last Saturday in Regent Secondary School against NUS Temasek Hall Team. Prior to the defeat, the Emeralds had enjoyed 100% success in Regent, winning their two matches there with a total of 12 goals and conceding only once. However, history did not offer the Emeralds any favor as the team faltered after failing to recover from two goals that resulted from killer crosses, including one from a loaned-out Emerald, Syahrul Hatta.
The first Temasek goal came from a dubious long-range strike from their left winger. What seemed to resemble a cross sailed across from the left and into top left-side net of the Emerald's goal. Zarir was left stranded in the middle of his goal-line as the ball lobbed over him. Despite conceding such an unfortunate goal against the run of play, the Emeralds continued to press on, creating a couple of good chances to get an equaliser. Yet, the match remained 1 goal to nil at half-time.
Early in the second half, Temasek midfielder Hatta latched on to 50-50 ball outside the Emeralds' penalty area and almost immediately whipped in a teasing cross into the penalty box. Duly missing the aerial and physical presence of Nasir and Aidil in central defence, goalie Zarir & central defender Ashrof failed to win the mid-air battle for the ball as a Temasek player headed it into the net. 2 - 0.
The Emeralds had performed better in the second half, taking advantage of their numerical superiority over the opponents. Winger Syarif's demon-like speed posed a lot of problems for Temasek on the left. The team managed numerous series of lightning-fast counter-attacks especially through the centre and the left. They were finally rewarded with a goal ten minutes from time. After recovering the ball from defense, it was almost instantaneously passed to midfield. A through ball by Dedi managed to find Syarif who beat the offside trap to pull one goal back for the Emeralds. However, it was too little too late. Just like the Barenaked Ladies' song..
Final whistle. 2 - 1 to Temasek.
Team Line-up
BSRI: Zarir; Adib, Ashrof, Farhan, Hidayat (ie Firdaus' brother); Syarif, Dedi, Adil, Ridzuan (Khairul); Shaiful, Firdaus
Temasek: Hatta; 9 & ½ other players
The first Temasek goal came from a dubious long-range strike from their left winger. What seemed to resemble a cross sailed across from the left and into top left-side net of the Emerald's goal. Zarir was left stranded in the middle of his goal-line as the ball lobbed over him. Despite conceding such an unfortunate goal against the run of play, the Emeralds continued to press on, creating a couple of good chances to get an equaliser. Yet, the match remained 1 goal to nil at half-time.
Early in the second half, Temasek midfielder Hatta latched on to 50-50 ball outside the Emeralds' penalty area and almost immediately whipped in a teasing cross into the penalty box. Duly missing the aerial and physical presence of Nasir and Aidil in central defence, goalie Zarir & central defender Ashrof failed to win the mid-air battle for the ball as a Temasek player headed it into the net. 2 - 0.
The Emeralds had performed better in the second half, taking advantage of their numerical superiority over the opponents. Winger Syarif's demon-like speed posed a lot of problems for Temasek on the left. The team managed numerous series of lightning-fast counter-attacks especially through the centre and the left. They were finally rewarded with a goal ten minutes from time. After recovering the ball from defense, it was almost instantaneously passed to midfield. A through ball by Dedi managed to find Syarif who beat the offside trap to pull one goal back for the Emeralds. However, it was too little too late. Just like the Barenaked Ladies' song..
Final whistle. 2 - 1 to Temasek.
Team Line-up
BSRI: Zarir; Adib, Ashrof, Farhan, Hidayat (ie Firdaus' brother); Syarif, Dedi, Adil, Ridzuan (Khairul); Shaiful, Firdaus
Temasek: Hatta; 9 & ½ other players
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