HSBC

FULL REPORT BY KEN WONG

This week, I was "requested" to write the report again, after last week's wonderful report.
So I have decided to write it fast, so I won't forget much of the actions, lest I MIGHT be accused of ONLY remembering MY goals and I only write report fast when I win the Man Of Match Report.

Anyway, let's get down to "business".

ODS 4 - 2 HSBC
Scorers: Kim Chuan (x01), Irwin (x01), Liang Han (x02)
Man Of Match: Kumar the Keeper!!! (was tied at 4votes each with Liang Han, but Mark Teo gave the deciding vote to Kumar)

NO yellow card... Looks like if these maintain, considering that we haven't gotten any for the past few... months??? We might just be able to "win" a place in the UEFA Cup through the Fairplay Award!!!

Before the game starts, as the referee was late, ODS has the time to do quite a bit of warming up.
And Ken Wong was practising his free kicks from just outside the box, but twice (not once), he ballooned his shots and it flew over the tall fence!!!
Next thing you know, he was taking shots from 40yards out!!! With most of them on target!!! And he had one that went in off the crossbar from about 25yards out. BUT... All these are only during warming up.

(I just had to write something about myself... in order to "entertain" the members and possible "fans" to be...) =P

Finally, to the match.

Starting XI
Keeper: Kumar
Def (L-R): Hairy, Mark Penu, Hans, Tony
Mid (L-R): Osman, Dennis, Wee Kiat, Ken Wong
Att: Kim Chuan, Liang Han

HSBC started this exciting game. And they tried an audacious shot from half way line. But that was no problem for shot stopper Kumar, who saved the ball with ease.

After Kumar kicked the ball up, the ball was headed directly back at ODS defence. Hans, under pressure, played a high ball to Hairy on the left who has some problem controlling the ball. With the pressure still on ODS defence, Hairy passed the ball down to Osman, who was then robbed in midfield. The opponent then released the ball to their speedy striker no. 11, who took on Mark Penu and Hans. He was able to outpace them and he striked the ball with fury at goal. Kumar was well placed, and he got a hand on the ball, but the shot was too powerful and ODS could only look on helplessly as the ball bounced into the goal.

0-1 (At only 3minutes on the clock at most, and players like Liang Han and Ken Wong has yet to even touch the ball!!!)

After the restart, it seems like ODS has yet to settle into the game, losing the ball in midfield a couple of times. Perhaps it was because Mark Teo, one of ODS key players, was playing for the opponents on this day, and he was a crucial factor.

Mark Teo won the ball in midfield, and he lobbed the ball over ODS defence, and ODS was caught too flat in the backline, and HSBC no. 11 raced through on goal yet again. But he was wickedly denied his second goal by the crossbar.

This shot seems to have woken up ODS, who then started their series of attacks. And the effort soon paid off. With Osman cleverly laying a through ball to Kim Chuan, who managed to shake off his markers, and Kim Chuan took a low show across goal and it beat the keeper on the far post.

1-1

Soon after the restart, Dennis was forced to go off, after he bravely went in for a tackle and twisting his ankle in the process. And once again, he show us his unique substitution hand signal.
Irwin went in for the injured Dennis.

ODS continued to pour down the attack under the scorching sun winning many corners in the process. And Kim Chuan's runs at goal proved to be a problem for the opponents. Liang Han too was a "handful" for the opponents. Or should I say a hand too many? With his "octopus" hands, his arms were swinging and "flying" about, especially when he's turning. With this special move of his, the opponents found it difficult to rob his of the ball.

During one corner, the ball fell to Mark Penu, who had a well taken shot, and the shot had the keeper beaten but not the post.

ODS took the lead through Irwin, who volleyed the ball beautifully into the goal from just outside the penalty area. The ball was headed out from a cross and it went towards Irwin who was waiting to pounced, and he volleyed the ball on the drop. Sweet.

2-1

As the game progressed, ODS backline was often troubled by HSBC speedy strikers. Perhaps 'cause ODS defence was too flat today, but there was no fear as we have reliable Kumar in goal, who saved us on many occasions, proving he is still one of the best shot stopper around.

On one counter attack, Kim Chuan was released on the left, and he cut the ball into the six yard box. Liang Han, even though under intense pressure from his marker, ran in and slided the ball past the line.

3-1

HSBC is not a team that gives up that easily, and they fought hard, taking many shots, but Kumar earned his Man Of the Match by saving every single one of them.

ODS too, had their bags of tricks, and attacked in numbers, with Tony racing down to the byline and sending in a cross. Tony later claimed this is the first time he actually went so close to the byline and even crossed in years!!!

Half Time
We only had one change during half time today.
Melvin coming in for Tony, and Ken Wong was switched to right back while Melvin played in right midfield.

ODS restarted the game, hoping to extend their lead.

Despite numerous attacks in the second half, ODS just couldn't find they goal that they wanted.
And HSBC was dangerous on the counter, down the flanks, through the middle. And they got a goal from one of their counter attack, when a through ball was played, and no. 11 was the danger man yet again. He showed the ODS defence his heels and next thing you know, he placed the ball past helpless Kumar in a one-on-one situation.

3-2

That goal seems to be some steroids for HSBC. HSBC began their own series of attacks.

During one incident, HSBC no. 11 already lost his footing, and Mark Penu was using his body and muscles to shake him off to get to the loose ball. But referee felt that Mark Penu pushed the striker to the ground and awarded the penalty to HSBC.

This penalty could be the decisive factor to the game, and no. 11 ran straight up and strike the ball. He had Kumar beaten, but not the crossbar. As the ball comes off the crossbar and bounced onto the ground, everyone ran for the ball, and it landed at the feet of a HSBC player, who played the ball forward back towards no. 11...* PPWEET* Offside, and ODS has a breath of relief.

Knowing that they could not rely on a slim slender 1goal lead, ODS ventured for the goal that can put them in the driving seat yet again.

And Osman-Liang Han partnership proved too deadly.
With Osman holding the ball up front, Liang Han (who has dropped into midfield to help with some defending) sped from midfield. Seeing Liang Han running, Osman played a brilliant ball for Liang Han, who then ran onto the ball, and took it past the on-rushing keeper and scored his brace from a tight angle.

4-2

That proved to be the deciding goal.
And the game ended shortly after.

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There is NO game on 24/05/08, so please have a good rest.
Perhaps we can meet up for a drink. Any takers? <-- also from Ken Wong

Next game will be on 31/05/08.