Fling F.C. 1 - 2 Lucky Strike F.C.

Fling F.C. review
Lucky Strikes proved the difference in feisty match
by Tai-ger Telestrator

Fling F.C. succumbed to yet another defeat in the blistering Sunday morning heat, and the atmosphere around the Fling's camp has been increasing depressing. Fielding a team laden with injuries to various players, they were a pale shadow of the team that lost by a whisker to Yokogawa last week. Sorely missing rock-solid Yong Cheng in the heart of defence, Flings lacked a dominant-in-the-air centreback who could have made the difference in a match full of hopeful long punts. Let down by lacklustre performances from the attacking players and a non-impressive display from the midfield meant that the Giallo could only register their third lost in four games.

Starting the game with debutant Mao on the right wing in place of the recently out-of-sorts Eugene, Flings was straight out of the starting blocks from the whistle as both teams surged forward in search for the first goal. But fatigue and the simple lack of hunger for the ball by the Flings meant Lucky Strike coming more into the game, stringing passes and keeping possession, they looked the more composed and confident side. However so, they were lacking that attacking edge, and wasted a flurry of chances that could well kill the game. Flings were made to look like passengers in the park, with only Yu Quan, Shawn and Yuan Xin being the only few players able to challenge and win the headers. Unable to play the game as they would have liked, Flings were forced into playing hopeful high balls, bypassing the midfield and to drop the ball into the other half. Centre Midfielder Dodo was unsuccessful on one occasions-too-many, trying to bring the ball up the field through the tough manhandling Lucky Strike midfield trio when simple one touch passes would have released and served him better. Recently rejuvenated Zhi Han however, relished his new role as the Defensive Midfielder, putting up a firm display breaking up and plugging out the opponents attacks down the middle of the park.

However one man was never going to stop an entire team, as Lucky Strike grabbed the elusive first goal well into the first half. Lucky Strike midfielder floated a hopeful, but nonetheless dangerous, long ball into the Flings box, which RightBack Yuan Xin, on the backfoot, could only manage to head back across his own goal. Flings watched in horror as the ball looped over leftback Rong Feng, dropping enticely for the Lucky Strike striker to put the ball into the net for the decisive first goal, Goalkeeper Soh rooted on the spot.

Any chance of early retaliation from Flings was banished when Lucky Strike bagged the second goal five minutes later. Regaining possession in the middle of the park, Lucky Strike started an attack, which saw the beautiful buildup end with a perfectly weighted cross from the right flank to Lucky Strike striker, who slotted home with conviction.

Flings managed to pull one back with hole Striker Wei Siong capitalising on the suspect goalkicks from the Lucky Strike keeper. There was nothing he could do when he saw yet another of his weak goalkicks meeting the head of Wei Siong, who directed the ball home audaciously from 30 metres out. Flings attempts to equalise before the break was futile, as Left winger Taiwen saw his weak shot gathered by the Lucky Strike keeper at the near post, with Lucky Strike defender clearing superbly a dangerous low cross into the box from Wei Siong to Poh Tiong in another occasion. Yuquan could have pulled one back just before the break when he directed a well-delivered corner just wide of the post. Lucky Strike were relieved to have held on to their slender lead, as the referee blew for the end of the first half.

Flings started the second half with right winger Eugene replacing Yuanxin, suffering from his recurring hamstring injury. Mao dropping back to rightback as Eugene and Taiwen swapped flanks, intending to play a different approach to the game. It wasnt meant to be as the second half saw the teams trying to outmuscle one another. Centre Back Shawn tried to pull the team through, but could only see his efforts to penetrate the midfield thwarted, withLucky Strike manhandling the industrious player. Striker Qing was handed his first team debut, replacing Poh Tiong for the 2nd half of the game. However even fresh legs were unable to spark any revival, with Qing managing a few good touches and overweighted passes, and with Eugene still struggling to find his form. What Flings needed was a player with the maturity and vision in the middle of the park, to control the tempo of the game, to be able to spot and send the pacey attackers through.

Fiercely contested challenges for the ball caused a stir, Qing, Shawn and Poh Tiong all getting into heated encounters with the opponents as it threatened to overshadow the game. Kelvin made an appearance for the team when he came on for Dodo, to help bolster the defense. Last gasp attempts to break down the opponents defence were agonising and unconvincing. Flings had a glimmer of hope when they earned a freekick in a dangerous position, but Shawn could only see his weak effort fall straight into the arms of the keeper. It summed up the second half with Flings deprived of the ball upfront and unable to create chances to level the game, as they sank to another defeat on the barren turf of Bedok View.

As the players take a long break due to the festive season, they must be left scratching their heads wondering how in the world, with the amount of promise and talent, their appalling inability to grab the game and put it beyond doubt of their opponents. As the manager goes back to the board to draw up the tactics, we can only hope and pray for Fling F.C. as they gear up for the crucial fixture on the 16th of February, when they face xxxxx F.C.

Player Ratings :

Soh Yi Xiu- 6 (Could have exerted more command and aerial presence to thwart the opponents hopeful punts)

Yuan Xin - 7 (Massive presence on the ground and in the air, solid in defense, unfortunate to have indirectly caused the first goal)

Rong Feng - 5 (Blistering runs down left flank in the second half, but was unconvincing in defence throughout the game)

Yu Quan - 7 (An aerial presence, able to put the ball out of danger, could have scored the equaliser)

Zhi Han - 7 (A reliable hard man in the middle of the park, aggressive and committed, could have distributed the ball better)

Shawn - 6 (Tried too hard to carry the team, was not up to his usual high standards)

Poh Tiong - 5 (Showed glimpses of his capability, unlucky not to have seen more of the ball)

Eugene - 5 (Still unable to regain his form and goalscoring ability, combined well with Rong Feng on the flank)

Mao - 6 (Impressed on his debut, could have played the ball better though)

Tai Wen - 5 (Caught holding on to the ball way too long, failed to convert chances, could have timed his runs better)

Kelvin - 5 (Came on for Dodo late into the game, unable to impact the game)

Dovanson - 5 (Was unable to provide that creative spark in the heart of midfield, vision and range of passing could have been better)

Weisiong - 7 (Scored an audacious goal, unselfish play to set up teammates was unfortunately unrewarded)

Qing - 6 (Unable to pierce the opponents defense, showed good touches nonetheless)

Man of the Match: Zhi Han
Reborn in his new defensive midfield role, Zhi Han wore his heart on his sleeve, providing that all-important cover for the centrebacks. Going into challenges decisively and effectively, he played an overall impressive game, marred only by the lack of proper ball distribution.