RESULTS OF POSTPONED GAMES
BOOKINGS (currently tied with AMK Utd. Both on 7 yellows)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
It's Raining Goals! Hallelujah
JAFC 6-1 Admiralty
It was a historic day at the Serangoon stadium as JAFC recorded their biggest victory in 3 seasons in the NFL. Rising to this historic occasion was JAFC's striker Winston. Often the butt of insults from some sections of disgruntled fans, who claim that the striker is more interested in the unique challenge of hitting the post rather than the back of the net, Winston silenced his critics with JAFC's first ever hat-trick in the competition.
Once again, JAFC was faced with a severe manpower shortage and kicked off the match without a sub. The first half was rather scrappy, with JAFC edging the stakes in terms of possession. Ever dangerous from set-pieces, JAFC should have gone ahead on a couple of occasions via Aaron's throws and Sudi's corners, but their attempts were scrambled off the line. Half time, 0-0.
During half-time, Coach Arasu once again worked his magic with the boys, urging them to provide faster support and to make better use of the ball in the final third. These simple instructions seem to work wonders, as within seconds from the kick-off, 4 JAFC passes resulted in Winston firing home the opening goal via Weiming's cross. [1-0]
However, Admiralty got back in the game as their striker glanced in a header off a free-kick from the middle of the pitch. The free-kick was well placed into no-man's land - the area between Tim and the defensive line, but in truth, the defenders could have done more to put off the striker. [1-1]
JAFC then went ahead from one of Aaron's many missiles hurled into the box. In a mess of desperately swinging legs and attempted headers from both teams, the ball somehow evaded everyone and landed at the feet of Winston at the far post. He made no mistake from 6 yards out. [2-1]
Soon after the restart, Admiralty won another free-kick. Having experienced earlier the deftness of their no. 8's left foot, Tim lined up a 3 men wall. The free-kick was well struck and on target, forcing Tim into action. However, instead of palming the ball away, Tim palmed it upwards in the 6 yard box and prompted the Admiralty players to jump in for a challenge. In a mess of tangled bodies, Tim escaped the winner as he punched the ball to safety, earning a manly cut to his lower lip for his heroic efforts in denying Admiralty the equiliser. (He later received 5 stitches for the busted lip)
That save proved to be the catalyst for JAFC to seal the game, as Feroz unleashed a stinging shot from outside the box that swerved beyond the keeper's reach. [3-1]
Having been moved to right mid in a tactical shuffle to reunite the 'Forces of Darkness' on the right wing, Anand joined in the goalscoring action with a dipping volley from outside the box. From the stands, the fans could hear a relieved Anand murmuring, "lucky Chris not here". [4-1]
The tackles were getting wild as the Admiralty players lost the plot. With a commanding 4-1 lead, Coach Arasu reminded the players to take care of themselves and not do anything 'silly'. Clearly Anand was not listening, as he evaded 2 wild Admiralty tackles in a 50m run that brought him 1-on-1 with the keeper. Anand cocked his trusty right foot as he shaped to chip the ball over the advancing keeper, but somehow managed to curl the ball backwards for Winston to slot the ball into the empty net. As the Admiralty players protested for an offside call, Anand was quick to defend his assist, insisting that he "curled the ball backwards" into the path of Winston. [5-1]
Late on, JAFC won a penalty as Fuhang was brought down by the keeper. With collars popped, and chest puffed out, Aaron strode forward to place the ball into the side netting, past the despairing dive of the keeper. [6-1]
This sets up a mouth-watering clash with AMK Utd, who are bidding to gain promotion and the $4000 that comes with finishing 2nd.
Lineup: Tim, Anand, Jerry, Aaron, Kennard (Fabian), Weiming, Fuhang, Feroz, Zul (Manfed), Sudi, Winston
Match Photos:
The hat-trick hero celebrating with his fans
The Forces of Darkness
Monday, July 20, 2009
Training and Rescheduled Game
Pls take note.
Training will be held tomorrow at NUS. Rescheduled game against Admiralty on Thurs.
Pls update attendance early under 'comments'.
Thanks
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Feroz Turns Singapore Power's Lights Off
JAFC 1-0 Singapore Power
Stricken by the flu bug, JAFC had a host of players pulling out, leaving them with only 13 players for the clash against 2nd placed Singapore Power.
With their flicks, quick feet and confident passing, Singapore Power's football was certainly pleasing on the eye and as Coach Arasu pointed out, "a team that can play football". Boosted by Fabian's return to the team, JAFC had an air of steely confidence, and matched Power punch for punch in the 1st half. However, both keepers remained untested as the half-time whistle blew.
In truth, both teams were tentative and seemed to be holding something in reserve. This was pounced upon by Coach Arasu during half-time as he reminded the JAFC boys to raise their game and to provide better support for each other. On the tactical front, JAFC replaced Manfred with Winston, thus shifting Weiming to his more familiar position at left midfield.
The 2nd half saw Power going for a more direct route via their goalkeeper's loooooong kicks. Aided by the wind, his kicks dropped at least 3/4 up the field, but this was effectively dealt with by the JAFC defence. As the match wore on, Power's players began to tire and some faded out of the game. On the contrary, JAFC's players kept running and should have gone ahead if not for the woodwork's double intervention. The ever-energetic Steven Lam Fuhang unleashed a shot in the box that beat the keeper but not the crossbar. The rebound fell to Winston, but his shot hit the crossbar once again.
With 10 minutes left, JAFC got their goal. From a free kick just inside the Power half, Jerry spotted Fuhang volting across the box and drove the free kick towards the near post area. With that brilliant run, Fuhang caught the entire defence napping and found himself with time and space to control and drill a low cross across goal. On hand was Feroz to tap the ball into the net.
In the closing minutes, Power almost equalised but their striker could only blaze the ball over the net from 10 yards out.
Lineup: Tim, Andrew, Jerry, Daowei, Chris, Feroz, Fabian, Fuhang, Zul, Manfred (Winston), Weiming
-------------------
Overheard during the match:
Coach Arasu on commitment: "Although Kennard is sick/injured, he still makes the effort to come down for our games to provide us with some numbers. This is good. This shows that he is responsible towards the team."
"Eh Andrew, i realise this is the first time i never scold you in a game!"
Monday, July 13, 2009
JAFC 3-1 West Utd
The last time JAFC won by more than 2 goals, it was against West Utd. In the hope of history repeating itself, and in their search to fill in the gaps left by the injured striker Winston and Khai, JAFC started with the formidable pairing of Weiming and Jerry up front.
JAFC looked threatening going forward and should have opened the floodgates off a long throw from Aaron. The long throw was aimed towards Feroz, who rode the challenge of 2 men to flick the ball on. Alas, Jerry only managed to hook a left leg shot onto the post.
West looked dangerous on the break, with their left winger and deep-lying striker combining well on a couple of occasions. From a corner, the cross swerved and dipped towards the near post and in a unfortunate moment of miscommunication between goalkeeper and defender, Junrong sliced the ball into his own net.
Midway through the 1st half, Kennard suffered an injury to his achilles and was substituted by Steven Lam Fuhang, thus breaking up the formidable front pair as Jerry was drafted back into regular defensive duty. This move almost paid immediate dividends as Fuhang's energetic runs cut the West defence to shreds. However, JAFC weren't able to capitalise as Feroz and Weiming fired over from close range while Junrong was judged to be offside when he scored at the far post.
The 2nd half went the same way as the first. However, the tide turned as Fuhang lashed home from close range after another booming throw from Aaron. This deflated the spirit of a fast tiring West Utd side. 1-1!!
With Rafi and Feroz marshaling the midfield like gladiators and Weiming proving a real handful upfront, JAFC surged forward in search of an equilizer. But it was the inspirational Fuhang (no doubt well rested after AWOLing from last week's game against Admiralty) who showed a touch of class, threading the ball through for Manfred to slot past the keeper.
Shoulders slouched and spirits dashed, West Utd looked dead and buried. Late in injury time, JAFC had time to conjure a brilliant team move to add some gloss to the scoreline. From a free kick, Jerry passed the ball to Manfred down the left flank. Holding off the defender, Manfred passed the ball on to the overlapping Andrew who whipped in a delightful far-post cross with his weaker left foot to the lurking Sudi to place the ball past the keeper. 4 touches, 1 goal. Scoring sometimes seems so easy.
Lineup: Aziz, Aaron, Kennard (Fuhang), Anand, Andrew, Rafi, Feroz, Manfred, Junrong (Sudi), Jerry, Weiming
PS. Big game next week against Singapore Power. Hope all can turn up.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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