Written by: David Chen
Edited by: Adriel Leong
Pictures by: Tan Pinhong
It was Wednesday, 16th of February, the sun was setting into the distant west, casting shadows that droop long and thinly onto the golden-greenish grass patches of the SRC field. Two teams of red and blue were sequestered neatly into the two halves of the pitch, passing soccer balls elegantly between their feet in preparation for the imminent IHG soccer match (Men’s): King Edward VII Hall (KE) against Kent Ridge Hall (KR).
Our team walks into this match in good form, knowing that they are already in the semi-finals, and this match is merely for seeding in the knockout stage of the competition. On the other end of the field, however, the team from Kent Ridge bears a must-win attitude to this game, knowing that losing will mean elimination, since they only drew in their previous game.
The teams exchanged handshakes and the coin was tossed; the whistle ran – and the match was under way. Fielding a familiar 4-4-2 formation, It was clear that balanced was the approach for KE – conservative yet waiting for opportunities and openings. Indeed, it was Kent Ridge who started the first wave of attack. In the opening minutes, possession was almost dominated by the players of KR, and the players from KE were scurrying to patch up the holes of in their half. The first shot was produced just five minutes into the game – a powerful strike from KR from the right edge of the penalty box, which went over the bar. KR continued their momentum with a header from the left side of the penalty box, again going just over the bar.
After the two warning signs from KR, the players from KE gradually got hold of their bearings and regained control of the game. In the eleventh minute a thunderous strike from a KE striker forced a diving save from the KR keeper, wowing the audience and turning up the heat of the game. The next twenty minutes of the game saw KE control possession and fully exploiting the KR’s defensive loopholes as the midfield repeatedly tormented KR with through balls and lobs. A succession of shots was launched by KE, but each time it was equaled and neutralized by the KR defence and keeper. However, a goal still eluded the teams and the audience.
A midfielder from KE skillfully dribbling his way past defenders from KR
In the 34th minute, a moment of careless defending from KE gave KR the golden opportunity to take the lead. Losing the ball from their own half, the defenders of KE were still scrambling to get back to their own positions when a right winger from KR lobbed a threatening cross into the penalty box. With no defender in the box, the striker powered a free header towards the goal with the goalkeeper off position! Amazingly though, the header was off target – scraping the top of the crossbar again. The supporters from KE gave an unanimous sigh of relief when the ball flew over and out of the field.
The teams exchanged a few more possessions subsequently, with neither side really managing to break through the defense as the match progresses to half-time .At half-time, the teams were even; the players from KE had more chances and created more chances, but perhaps the best opportunities had to be given to the players of KR. Still, it was a close match and the score was fair.
The fifteen minute break lapsed in no time and the soon the ball was up and running on the field again. Clearly the half-time briefing was about increasing the tempo and the change is apparent – both teams showed strong intent and action was noticeably faster. Within the first minute, the defenders from KE were caught napping when KR stringed a fluid set of passes that culminated in a dangerous cross and a good shot from point-blank range. Amazingly though, for the second time, the ball missed the target, this time running through the wrong side of the vertical beam.
A minute later, the deadlock was finally broken. In what seems to be a direct response to KR’s attack moments ago, KE launched their own blitz attack right from their base. A good kick from goalkeeper Nelson brought the ball right into the heart of the midfield, nodded on by a midfielder and immediately the ball was free and KE’s No. 10 – affectionately called CK – was through on goal! Facing great pressure from the last defender and the opposition goalkeeper rushing off his line, CK coolly and calmly slotted home the ball from the left of KR goalkeeper’s outstretched hand. GOAL! The supporters were ecstatic.
KE No. 10, celebrating his goal in emphatic style
The players from KR can only watch helplessly as the ball rolled into their net
KR seemed to lose their drive for the subsequent ten minutes as KE continued to dominate possession; the lack of confidence and imminent prospect of elimination was evident in their actions. For the greater part of the second half the players from KR were a shadow of their initial self in the first half. Both teams struggled for possession in the midfield and the game never saw another goal again. Credit has to be given to KE defense for shutting down KR’s attempts at a comeback. The latter part of the half was marred by player injuries and cramps and the game stalled frequently as the strenuity of the game took its toll on both team’s players. Substitutions were made by both teams, and KE managed to hold on to their nerves and eventually emerged as deserved winners.
The final score KE 1 – 0 KR.
When asked about their thoughts on this match, squad player An Shing said
‘It was a good game and we can now be assured of a good rest, and an easier opponent for the next round.’
Indeed, with a performance like this, our soccer team can be confident of progressing much further in this competition. Well done KE Men’s Soccer!
The heroes of the night - Great performance!
