Initially didn't think about doing an entry because NCG's finished. However, this is Nijam's testimonial match, so an entry would be worthwhile. And secondly, well you know...5-1. Woohoo!!!
An emphatic win doing our confidence a world of good. Cam biasa, TEPUK!!!!!!
We were up against FC Gurkha, a Nepalese outfit. This match is long overdue, since they kept postponing it twice (at least? I lost count). Nijam is paying his final respects for Queensland FC, so we'd like to send him out on a high note.
First Half
Even game. We know the opposition gameplay and they knew ours. Initially they had the upper hand with the midfield controlling possession and their striker looking dangerous with a few close shaves. We had our chances too though, and were unlucky to be 1-1 by end of half time.
1-0 - Won a corner after a rare spell of possession. Delivery cleared out, but not far enough. Zaril got the ball, passed it to Nijam who placed the ball neatly into the left side of goal.
1-1 - Equaliser came 1 minute after scoring. Bit of a downer. Lost possession in midfield, after the passed the ball around, Maniche the Nepal striker floated a well-weighted lob past the flailing arms of keeper. Nice finish.
Second half
Substitutions worked a treat. Injected a lot more energy and urgency in the game. Immediately created more pressure and was rewarded with 4 goals. Opposition had no answer. Defence was outstanding, well done for getting a clean sheet in the second half!
2-1 - Zaril score style Fabregas v Spurs 09/10. From a counter, he dribble-sprinted past 2 defenders and slotted the ball past the keeper for a neat finish. Cantik, first goal siot. Well done buddy! The fishing catch celebration adds a nice touch too :)
3-1 - Freekick cantik. Akhirnya Apit membuka akaun setelah kemarau yang agak lama. 20 metres out, 5 metres to the right, he curved the ball beautifully to the left side of the goal. It seems like everything was happening in slow motion. No venomous pace, just simple accurate placement.
4-1 - Black mengena! Classic counterattack, after dispossessing the midfielder, we broke from the left and squared the ball to Black. Shot went straight to keeper, but he somehow fumbled and the ball rolled into the net. Nice goal after many near misses.
5-1 - Someone must have scripted this from above. Nijam scored the first, and Nijam scored the last. A horrible backpass was intercepted by the sprinting Sabahan who rounded the keeper. With the goal wide open the instinct was to smash the ball into the net. The execution almost went wrong when it hit the bar, but luckily it ricocheted into the goal anyway.
Final score, 5-1. The team performance ensured that "Game petang tadi" will be the main topic of conversation for the whole of this week.
Other highlights:
1) Rembatan awal Nepal yang menggegar palang gol.
2) Hantaran lintang rendah Apit yang sipi-sipi melepasi kaki Black.
3) Tap-in Black yang terus kepada penjaga gol, susulan satu lagi bola lintang Apit.
4) Rembatan kencang Nepal yang ditepis keluar oleh Shy.
5) Bola lantunan sepakan penjuru yang hampir ditanduk oleh Zek untuk gol pertamanya.
6) Cucukan "Left-boot outswing" Johan yang mengena palang kanan.
Standouts
1) Faris - After a lengthy spell on the sidelines, his comeback game delivered much needed speed on the wings. Looked dangerous everytime he got the ball.
2) Jovy - An inspired spell of football in the second half. Loads of overlapping down the right, troubling the Nepalese with his pace and stamina.
3) Nijam (a.k.a STAR) - Hard work rewarded with 2 goals. Nicely done! What a great way to end your footballing career buddy! Shame this goalscoring form didn't come much earlier, but we definitely appreciated your contribution for the last 18 months.
Quotes
1) "Alamak!"- Nijam, 5 saat sebelum concede the Nepal goal. In fact, second half pun dia "Alamak!" lagi. Nasib baik Shy save. From hero to zero to hero again. Make up your mind!
2) "If you want to celebrate, go celebrate on your own half"- Keeper Nepal, lepas kita score. Maknanya bila kita score, kita kena buat muka ketat lari ke kawasan kita, then baru boleh celebrate? Tak logik. And what's with him pushing our guys around after the goal anyway?
3) "What 'Mind your language?' This is not comedy!" - Hezran merujuk kepada siri TV komedi British itu, kerana playmaker Nepal tiba-tiba suruh kita "Mind your language" (???). Legend.. wait for it... dary. (Explains the above picture - Can't resist!)
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