Fling F.C. review
Flings denied consecutive win
by Tai Wen
An encouraging display of football over 90 minutes by the resurgent Flings wasnt enough to see off f.c. Yokogawa, in a match marred by incompetent refereeing. Goals from RF Guo En and CM Shawn in rapid succession after the restart meant that Flings was on track in exacting revenge for the two teams' previous encounter, in which Yokogawa got away narrrowly, in an emphatic 5-4 win on Greenview soil. However, it wasn't meant to be as Yokogawa left it late, CF 19 poking the ball home after a goalmouth scramble 5 minutes from time, leaving Flings to rue incorrect refereeing decisions and lapses in an otherwise impression defensive display, as the day ended with both teams having to share the spoils.
Going into the game with newly restored belief after a mauling of Firebrand f.c. by a whopping 6 goals, Flings were bright and lively straight off the whistle and certainly looked by far, the more dangerous side. They didnt have to wait long as the persistence of CF Wei Siong paid off. Nipping the ball off an obviously inexperienced custodian after a poor backpass from his own backline, Wei Siong had the simplest of tasks of rolling the ball into the empty net, putting Flings 1-0 up at the 4th minute.
Having defensive pairing Yong Cheng and Yu Quan at the heart of the Flings' defence meant that Yokogawa's attacking ideas down the middle of the park were reduced to close to nothing, and any attempts of creativity down either flanks were stifled with relative ease by WBs Rong Feng and Abraham, who were both having a superb game. It took however, a huge slice of luck for Yokogawa to find the equaliser, albeit in the unlikeliest of fashion. A huge kick by CM Big Foot from a seemingly harmless free kick awarded to Yokogawa well inside their half amazingly found its way under GK Jia Jun's crossbar. Well off his line, he could only watch as the ball sailed over and into the back of the net.
The teasing of Flings by Lady Luck obviously wasnt over as Yokogawa took the lead against the run of play, this time from a corner. Rising highest above the Yellow Army's defence, CM Big Foot did well to meet the inswinging cross, directing the ball goalwards. Just as it looked to be heading well wide, it took a wicked deflection off the backside of LM Zimu, Flings well rooted, unbelieving as Yokogawa took the shock lead.
Unable to capitalise on the slow-on-the-backfoot defence of Yokogawa, Flings went into the break a goal behind. CM Shawn had a glorious chance to cancel out the deficit just before the stroke of halftime, after a display of high-speed footwork saw him jinx past the entire Yokogawa's defence with just the keeper to beat, only for overzealous CF Wei Siong to take a touch on the ball, the referee correctly blowing for offside. In other horrific refereeing decisions, Flings could have broke free after incisive defence splitting passes put Wei Siong and Zimu through.
Flings started the second half fast and furious, clearly infuriated. New signing Jun Kwang came on to provide fresh legs on the left channel as fellow Scouts Min Han and Jiun Hoe took up position on RM and LB respectively. It took only a minute into the start of the second period for Rong Feng and Min Han to combine, the former putting the right midfielder through into the box as Min Han powered towards the byline. It took a clumsy tackle from Yokogawa's LB KCP to stop the run, and there was no arguments from the opposition as the referee awarded the penalty without hesistation. CM Shawn stepped up, and made no mistake from the spot, to restore parity. 2-2.
The Scouts ensemble, brought into the squad for their tenacity, hard running and hounding, delivered as they ran Yokogawa ragged. Powerful drives and effective overlapping runs on either flanks by the quartet of Scoutateers Min Han, Rong Feng, Jun Kwang and Jiun Hoe saw the Yokogawa's box bombarded and succumbing to the relentless pressure. It all paid off in the 54th minute, as Shawn treaded a perfectly weighted through ball for both Jun Kwang and Guo En to beat the offside trap. The keeper, helpless as they charged in, could only watch in despair as Guo En slotted home to put Flings ahead. Shawn almost put the game beyond doubt, when he curled in a 60th minute free kick destined for the top corner, only for it to ricochet off the crossbar.
For the second time in the match Yokogawa hauled themselves back into the game, with CF 19 poking home from close range after a scramble at the goalmouth. The exuberant start to the second period stood for nothing, as Flings' response to the late equaliser was half-hearted, with Wei Siong, Guo En and Jun Kwang failing to test goalkeeper with chances. As quickly as Flings had gained their attacking momentum it seemed to desert them just when they needed it most in the final 10 minutes. And as if not having done enough damage already, the incompetent referee blew 7 minutes before normal time, quelling any chance of a Flings' comeback.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Jun Kwang
Proving to be a gem of a signing, his tenacious and dogged display at right midfield and left back saw him impact the game in many ways gone unseen, having also played a crucial role in Flings' third goal.
In retrospect, this Flings team is a work in progress. The cast list certainly brought some pizzazz back in January when they were first formed, but many of the players have yet to translate their court abilities onto the field. Dazzling footwork and effective ball possession are still largely unseen from the very capable Flings players. This however, serves as a reminder of why Flings is yet to realise their ambitions, and promised potential. With founding players floundering and mostly unrepresentive on the pitch of their street telepathy, skill and guile, it is a cause for concern and worry. Lack of fluidity and lapses in concentration of an otherwise resolute defence are also glaring problems. Till the players find their feet, perhaps through the regularity of games together and both on and off-the-ball work on the pitch, we are and will still, be looking at a rather stagnate Flings
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