match report 05/06/2010 (back to winning ways?)

REPORTED BY KEN WONG

Full Time: ODS 2 - 1 Old Victorian Association Soccer Team (OVA) (Half time: 1 - 1)
Scorers: Mark Teo (x01), Liang Han (x01)
Man Of Match: Kiran
Yellow Card: Mr Sng

Starting Line-Up
GK: Kumar
Def[L-R]: Tony, Kiran, Rosk, Ken
Mid[L-R]: Irwin, Mark Teo, Yang Song, Chee Mun
Striker: Liang Han, Elango

From the starting line up of the opposition, it was clear that they came with a mission. Calling up some of their young players, including the captain and star of the OVA Junior Team, and also, with some of the key players of ODS missing, it looks like it's not going to be an easy game.

ODS was contented to just keep their shape from the start and hold their tackles. Both sides did not manage to find any loopholes in the defense, with Kiran at the top of his game, cutting out any through ball and heading away all the crosses.

ODS breakthrough finally came, when OVA took too long to clear the ball at the corner flag. The ball was won by Elango and Liang Han who tag-teamed to hassle and steal the ball from one of the brightest star on the field. The ball was sent into the danger area, but the clearance from OVA was poor. Mark Teo was there to receive the ball. Instead of a powerful shot, he chose for a low shot, placing it into the bottom right corner into the side netting.

1-0

After the restart, OVA tried to send a lot of cross behind our defense but that didn't trouble ODS one bit as Kiran was well positioned to cut out any dangers.
Except for one particular incident.
Kiran was calling for offside for a pass to OVA's muscular striker. Referee waved play on as the defense stood still while the striker turned and volleyed a powerful shot that hit Kumar's thigh and through his legs into goal.

1-1

2nd Half Line-Up
GK: Kumar
Def[L-R]: Irwin, Kiran, Rosk, Hans
Mid[L-R]: Yang Song, Mark Teo, Mark Penu, Ken
Striker: Sng, Liang Han

Second half was much more quieter. Much of the game was played in the center of the park. ODS is pleased to see Mark Penu makes his comeback from an injury that took him out since Feb 2010.

Mark Penu played like as if he never left, continuing his great partnership with Mark Teo into midfield.

ODS got the lead once more, following a flick on by Mr Sng for Ken to race onto. Ken brought the ball down to the goal line and delivered a beautiful cross to the edge of the six-yard box where Liang Han did even better by raising above the defense to head the ball over the keeper into the goal.

2-1

OVA had a couple of chances to equalize, but Kumar was there to block out the shots.

ODS nearly extended their lead when Kiran orchestrated a counter attack by himself. Dribbling the ball out of danger from just outside the penalty box, he took it all the way by the touchline over to the other side of the field where he was unlucky when his shot cannoned off the crossbar.
Elango nearly got his legs to the rebound.
Kiran hurt his knees in the process.

Mr Sng earned himself a yellow card, his first in 40years, when he slided in from behind on an OVA player.

Game was uninteresting from that moment on, as ODS held on for a victory.