| JAWS HELD 2-2 BY SPARTANS! | ||||
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Date: 7 Feb 2010 (Sun) Venue: Bedok Green Secondary School Kickoff: 11.15am
JAWS SC 2-2 NORTHWEST SPARTANSScorer: Ayat(2)Assists: Hissham, Ayyub
For a much anticipated return game with Northwest Spartans, Jaws were unlucky to draw 2-2 as Spartans equalised at the death. The match lived up to expectations and was thrilling throughout the whole game as there were chances galore and both teams competed and battled out to produce a fantastic game of passing and fluid attacking football. Credit to Spartans for fighting til the end and showing good sportsmanship and mutual respect for Jaws SC.Despite last week's loss to Innercircle, Jaws players turned up in numbers yet again and gave the Gaffer a headache for team selection. What impressed the Gaffer was the players' response as shown in the game and players showing that the team comes before anybody's personal interest. As an extra motivation, Jaws wore their new away kits and had a mini players' photoshoot. Even the management and Hazirah were wearing their new Jaws polo shirts with pride to support the club.
1st half First XI: Is, Kiran(C), Chee Hui, Im, Indra, Zul, Jamadil, Hissham, Shim, Ming, AyatDespite the scorching sun, Jaws and Spartans started the game with lots of energy and tough challenges to even out the possession. However, as Kiran and Chee Hui held the back four firmly, Ayat tested their keeper with a stiff shot just in the right side of the penalty box. However, Ayat's shot was too direct and their keeper managed to save it. Ming showed tenacity and great determination to close down their playmaker and conceded a number of freekicks in the middle of the park. As Zul made his presence felt in midfield, Jamadil was keep pretty quiet and only managed to distribute to the wingers in Shim and Hissham. Im showed his usual composure and steadiness at leftback and Indra was simply in irresistable form and managed to stop any danger coming his way. Midway through the first half, Jaws went mighty close to going ahead with both Jamadil and Ayat missing the target by mere inches when their keeper were beaten both times. RAJIV FOR MING. KHAI FOR SHIM. Rajiv entered into the fray to enforce better passing in midfield as Jamadil was given more room to weave his magic at right midfield. When Khai entered the game, Jaws reverted to 4-3-3 to add more pressure to Spartan's stubborn defence. However, Jaws still failed to find their goal as the referee blew for half-time. HT: 0-0.
2nd half First XI: Mamat, Kiran(C), Chee Hui, Indra, Shaik, Rajiv, Ayyub, Hissham, Jamadil, Khai, AyatWithin just minutes into the second period, Khai was seen struggling to run and clearly, his knee injury has not recovered as informed. To prevent further damage to his knee, Khai was taken off and was visibly upset. DIN FOR KHAI. Then, Hissham collected the ball in Jaws half and produced a brilliant through ball to Jaws top scorer to go one-on-one with their keeper. As their keeper slipped, Ayat took a little touch and finished mercilessly to bring Jaws 1-0 up! However, Spartans piled up the pressure with set pieces and corner kicks and almost equalise on a few occasions as Kiran and Shaik both managed to clear the ball off the line. Mamat made about 2 goal bound saves later on to protect the lead. However, through a freekick outside the box, Mamat fumbled the shot into goal and Spartans drew level! 1-1! SHIM FOR INDRA. DARRYL FOR HISSHAM. After the restart, it was Jaws' turn to play and Ayyub finally got into the game with a through ball to Jamadil but the latter failed to find the target and his goal drought continues. Shaik played very well at right back and made a number of crucial interceptions to break up Spartan's attack. Din soon managed to rob possession of their midfield and the loose ball broke to Ayyub. On the turn, Ayyub sidefooted a through ball that Spartans' defence failed to control and Ayat capitalised by smashing in his 2nd goal of the game! 2-1! As Jaws celebrated, they knew that they needed to stay focused til the final whistle. MING FOR AYYUB. BAZLI FOR JAMADIL. With just a few minutes to the final whistle, Spartans managed to score their equaliser through a quick counter attack and broke Jaws' hearts. Final score: 2-2!Despite the draw, Jaws players were told to hold their heads up by the Gaffer during the postgame teamtalk. Today, Jaws played with heart and great teamwork and players were told to remind themselves to remember all the good work put in for the team. Most importantly, all the Jaws family turned up today and showed that they deserve to be wearing Jaws jerseys. Even Ismadi, Jabar and Sham came to support Jaws in action despite not being involved with on-pitch issues. As a nice gesture and compliment to Jaws, Spartans coach told Jaws Gaffer that Jaws have shown obvious improvement in playing and also tactical discipline compared to the first encounter with Spartans. All in all, Jaws played very well today but luck was simply not on our side and we need to continue improving our lapse in concentration to protect our leads. Rather than brooding over the loss of 2 points, Jaws should feel proud of our improvement and gave ourselves credit for our growth. For a healthier habit of not forget our good work, Jaws also need to have a positive mindset while reflecting on games. While we try to correct our wrongs on the pitch, Jaws must not forget our wonderful bond on-and-off the pitch and continue helping one another to grow. Those Jaws who turned up today, you guys stood to be counted. During the 2 weeks break, let's be patient and enjoy our rest and arrange for any possible meet ups or outings. In 2 weeks time, we will be facing Fantasista again and may everyone be ready to make more progress for Jaws! We always played to the right spirit and stay true to our motto: Going for the Win! Cheers!
ESPZEN Man-of-the-Match: INDRAReport by your dearest Gaffer, Ayyub Kay
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