It was the second leg of the Champions League and after a 1-1 draw the previous week in stormy conditions, both teams were happy to see the sunshine come out for this match. There was a shock with Viet, Duc, Hong and Derek dropped to the bench because they returned to the team hotel at 2am but the squad was strengthened with the availability of the Kuganesque Vidic to fill the void left by late night Viet.
Chris
Mikez - Kugan - Chong - Lam
Bill - Vincent - Fajar - Ren
Jonathon - Hung
Mikez - Kugan - Chong - Lam
Bill - Vincent - Fajar - Ren
Jonathon - Hung
The first half was a somewhat scrappy game as neither side really took control of midfield. Air Force were very wary of Jonathon after his showing his ability in the first leg and kept close tabs on him so it was left to Fajar and Vincent to drive the midfield on whilst Ren and Bill seem to struggle to find momentum on the wings.
However what worried coach Derek was the haphazard nature of the defence. The defenders seemed to lack communication and this left the positioning of all of them in rather dubious positions. This led to the first goal being scored as 1 KDU defender (Bill), 1 KDU goalkeeper and 1 Air Force striker going for 1 ball. Bill got it ahead of Chris but was only able to slide the ball to the side to another Air Force player. He in turn returned the ball to the centre where there was absolutely no cover by Chong or Lam which rather pleased the Air Force striker - but not the coach - and he steered the ball past the invisible defence.
KDU were lucky not to concede another after Kugan was caught with the ball and the striker was able to carry the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper but only able to hit the post. However an unexpected equaliser came for the blue team as Vincent and Bill made a nice succession of passes down the right for the number 6 to cut it back for their Indonesian import to finish clincially. Many neutrals would say it wasn't deserved but it kept this European Cup tie in the balance.
However what worried coach Derek was the haphazard nature of the defence. The defenders seemed to lack communication and this left the positioning of all of them in rather dubious positions. This led to the first goal being scored as 1 KDU defender (Bill), 1 KDU goalkeeper and 1 Air Force striker going for 1 ball. Bill got it ahead of Chris but was only able to slide the ball to the side to another Air Force player. He in turn returned the ball to the centre where there was absolutely no cover by Chong or Lam which rather pleased the Air Force striker - but not the coach - and he steered the ball past the invisible defence.
KDU were lucky not to concede another after Kugan was caught with the ball and the striker was able to carry the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper but only able to hit the post. However an unexpected equaliser came for the blue team as Vincent and Bill made a nice succession of passes down the right for the number 6 to cut it back for their Indonesian import to finish clincially. Many neutrals would say it wasn't deserved but it kept this European Cup tie in the balance.
The three musketeers return to position after piercing the enemy's defenceHalf time score: 1-1
Final Score: KDU College 2 vs 1 Air Force
The coach was hoping Lam's energy would work the left side of the pitch more with Duc tucking in behind him whilst Derek partnered Viet, who had replaced an injured Vincent, in the centre of midfield. The right saw the introduction of Subway Jien whilst both Hung and Jonathon were replaced by Hong and a young Korean Arjen making his debut.
Tony
Fajar - Kugan - Chong - Duc
Subway Jien - Derek/Jonathon - Viet - Lam/Derek
Hong - Korean Arjen
Fajar - Kugan - Chong - Duc
Subway Jien - Derek/Jonathon - Viet - Lam/Derek
Hong - Korean Arjen
The experienced duo of Viet and Derek took the game by the scruff of the neck and KDU were able to build and control more of the ball in the 2nd 35 minutes as the Air Force tired with no reinforcements at half time. With Duc launching the ball as high as he could into the sky and better organisation between Kugan and Chong, there was little trouble at the back. But despite this solidity and several corners, KDU couldn't spark that clinical goal and the coach decided to throw on all his creative talent in the shape of Jonathon and Fajar (acting as a Rafael De Silva right back).
It turned out to be an inspired move by the coach as a maurading Fajar fed Jonathon the ball inside the box. Henson took the ball, shuffled forward & fired it low past the goalkeeper and a second before the last defender took his legs away. It could have been worse - Tony made a series of 4 consecutive saves and nearly killing Kugan in the process. It could have been better - Derek had a curling shot cleared off the line in the last minute but the blue team beat the big bullies to qualify for the next round in the Champions League.
It turned out to be an inspired move by the coach as a maurading Fajar fed Jonathon the ball inside the box. Henson took the ball, shuffled forward & fired it low past the goalkeeper and a second before the last defender took his legs away. It could have been worse - Tony made a series of 4 consecutive saves and nearly killing Kugan in the process. It could have been better - Derek had a curling shot cleared off the line in the last minute but the blue team beat the big bullies to qualify for the next round in the Champions League.
Final Score: KDU College 2 vs 1 Air Force
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