Written by: Izzat Rashad B Rosazizi Edited by: Leung Lok Heng & Choa Zhao Xiang Photos by: EusoffWorks
After months of preparation and training, Eusoff’s pursuit for IHG football glory finally got underway yesterday with the late night kickoff against competition minnows PGP. The match saw the IHG debuts of several freshman football players, who relished the opportunity of playing in the yellow jersey for the first time. With many star players left out of the day’s starting 11, the opportunity arose for Eusoff to showcase its squad depth to the world, and prove that they are an unshakeable force to be reckoned with come the business end of the competition.
The game kicked off with an immediate shot on goal from midfield from PGP’s striker, which was nothing more than a hopeful shot at goal from an unfathomable distance. Keeper Cheng Tat wearing jersey number 69 was caught off guard but regained his composure to see the ball trickle past his goal post.
The first 15 minutes of the game was frustrating for Eusoff, with PGP’s ultra-defensive tactics on display right from the start. All 11 opposing players were in their half of the field for the majority of the game, and every successful tackle was met with a walloping, almost aimless clearance upfield in the hope that one of their players would somehow chase after the ball and channel their inner Messi right there and then. This freak scenario was fortunately avoided, with astute defending from Wei Shien No. 1 and Edison forming the defensive bedrock in captain Wenhao’s absence. While PGP’s attackers were successful in beating our defensive line from time to time, these threats were nullified by keeper Cheng Tat, whose fearless pressing of the attacker and acrobatic saves denied PGP of any real threat on goal.
LYLC Wei Shien provided strong defence to keep his opponents from scoring.
While it was a cagey start to the match, the fact that Eusoff were the far superior team in terms of possession and shots on goal was clear for everyone to see, even without the presence of the bright flood lights illuminating the field. The breakthrough finally came for our boys in the 20th minute of the game, after the keeper could not hold on to the ball from Jo Kagitani’s freekick, leaving Edison with the simple task of placing the rebounded ball beyond the keeper. 1-0 to Eusoff.
Despite scoring in relatively easy fashion and encountering minimal threats to their goal, Eusoff maintained their foot on the metaphorical gas pedal and kept the pressure on PGP. Midfielders Kay Shin and Eun Seong directed and distributed play from the middle of the park, with Eun Seong not holding back on his crunching tackles to rattle the opposition. On a bad day those fouls might have attracted a yellow card, but ultimately the referee was intrigued by Eun Seong’s polished top and opted to keep his cards in his pocket.
The full backs in particular had a fruitful day at the office, constantly darting down the touchline to set up crosses into the opposing penalty box. In particular, Joel’s nifty footwork and pacey runs proved to be too much for PGP’s defense, as he brilliantly set up two goals scored by fellow full-back Dylan and Kay Shin respectively. 3-0 to Eusoff as the referee called for half-time.
Freshie Dylan is all smiles after scoring a goal for his team.
The second half kicked-off in exactly the same way as the first; PGP shooting from a long way out and hitting the net behind the actual net they were supposed to hit. Our boys simply carried on with their work from the first half, energised by the 100 Plus and ice lollies provided by one-time TM of the month winner Faith. Our relentless pressure was rewarded almost immediately from kick-off, with a PGP player handling the ball in the penalty box. Substitute Ashwin converted the penalty from the spot to bring the score up to 4-0. Almost immediately after the penalty and in a similar fashion to the first goal, Jonny Long tapped in a rebound from Jo Kagitani’s long range effort that was spilled by the opposing keeper. 5-0 Eusoff.
It did not take long for the score to reach 6-0, after Kagitani’s weighted chip over a sea of PGP players found Kay Shin who neatly controlled the ball and slotted it home. With heightened confidence and a smile on their faces, every Eusoffian on the field last night was itching to find the net and add to their already unassailable lead over PGP. In the space of five minutes, Eusoff’s slick passing and neat gameplay were ultimately rewarded with three more goals.
The first came via Ashwin’s crisp header off of Ethan’s cross, and the second goal of this exciting five-minute period was scored via a scintillating Kay Shin half-volley, securing the midfielder’s hat-trick. Kay Shin refused to be caught up in the moment of scoring his first IHG hattrick, and with his girlfriend eagerly looking on from the bleachers, proceeded to altruistically lay off a pass for Jonny Long to tap in for Eusoff’s ninth goal of the night, and his second goal of the match.
Credit must be given to PGP for continuing to play despite the lopsided scoreline, but unfortunately for them Eusoff Football were not done just yet. Part-time goalkeeper Ethan claimed the honours of scoring the tenth goal of the night, with a worldie from way outside the penalty box escaping the reach of the PGP keeper to make it 10-0. Substitute Ashwin, who refused to miss out on Kay Shin’s hat-trick party, duly claimed his turkey of goals with a clinical shot from point blank range to increase the score to 11-0.
Ethan shows off his sick dribbling skills as he whizzes past PGP defenders.
By this point in the game, the result was already a foregone conclusion and both teams were just eagerly waiting for the referee to blow the final whistle so both teams could go back to their respective halls in time for the last C bus. However, substitute Oli had other ideas, and slotted his own shot past the bystanding PGP keeper to up the scoreline to an unbelievable 12-0.
Final score: EH 12:0 PGP
The team would definitely be happy with the mammoth result, but would also refuse to settle and continue to press on to iron out some issues spotted during the match. A great start nonetheless, and a definite confidence booster for the lads with the game against KR on the horizon. Also check out EusoffWorks’ Facebook page to see more photos of our boys in action!
Bình luận