Yio Chu Kang Sec, Yio Chu Kang Road - Another TeamCuzz game, another postponement. This has become football's worst kept secret. Nonetheless, postponement did not halt TeamCuzz's momentum as a training match was secured with Mix-n-Match FC.
The match started late as many got lost in the very,very,very long Yio Chu Kang Road. From some reason, this road plays a major part in getting TeamCuzz lost (think Hougang Avenue 9). Perhaps, it is part of the opponent's strategy to have an advantage over TeamCuzz numerically.
TeamCuzz started with Aril in goal, Sharil Noni, Khairul, Faizul and the legendary Suhaimi forming the back 4, Saifudin, Imran & Shahrudin as the midfield trio, Syukri and Fazlon as wingers and Faisal up front. On the bench were Carlos Arul and debutant Riduan. The opponent, on the other hand, had no prominent player except for Aril's fly-killing best friend "Every-ball-is-50-50-to-me".
The referee's whistle was non-existent throughout the match, literally. Both sides started on the lowest tempo ever seen in modern football. As the match wore on, good chances were spurned by both sides. With Aril feeling composed at the back, none of the opponents' shots bothered TeamCuzz's goal. However, a good chance by their "I-don't-like-to-pass" winger rattled the upright before the rebound was safely scrambled away.
On the other end, Syukri was full of running down the left, linking well with Faisal and Shahrudin to carve out several chances. Chances were reduced to long shots, taken by Imran, Saifudin and Riduan, who came on for the injured Fazlon midway through the half.
Riduan was also doing his bit on the right, fitting comfortably well as he created openings for attacks. In one occassion, good interchange of play between Imran,Shahrudin and Riduan left the former with a good chance to break the deadlock. But, in the name of the Month of Giving, he graciously backheeled to Shahrudin but was successfully intercepted by the opposing central defence. Another good build up, this time down the right, left Faisal with a great chance to score but he missed narrowly, hitting the side netting instead. The referee was so lost that Fazlon had to intervene to signal half time.
With Faisal having to rush off, opportunity came for Arul in the form of a Striker's position. He gleefully took that chance, rushing towards the centre circle to kick off before even the referee's whistle was heard. Just before he had the chance to do so, the manager had a change of mind, and Arul was switched to the right. Fazlon took Faizul's place at left back, who in turn took Imran's place in midfield.
Those changes came to good effect. With barely 5 minutes of the restart, TeamCuzz won a corner down the right. By virtue of being the closest player to the ball, Arul stepped up to deliver the corner. Just before crossing it in, Arul and Faizul nodded their heads as a form of signal to each other. To the surprise of many, the nod worked, as Arul delievered an inviting low cross which Faizul managed to touch away from the defender before squeezing it home. An unlikely scorer. An even unlikely 'assist'er.
The match continued with both sides once again having good chances. Shahrudin, though, had the most. Having been put through, by team mates, and most of the time by himself, he wasted the efforts, blazing over a couple of times. Fans were wondering why he did not reproduce the Ricardo Quaresma out-step shot he made before the match, which crept in via the top corner.
Apart from that, Syukri's work-rate and fitness was evident for all to see. Running continuously down the flanks and winning challenges, he was certainly the Man-of-the-Traing-Match. He could have risen to Theo Walcott's status if he had converted from Shahrudin's through ball, or if he hadn't fluffed a kick from 6 yards out. Nevertheless,this is a gem in the making.
Another highlight was the composed backline of TeamCuzz - Khairul, was as impressive and aggressive as ever; Sharil Noni commanded the defence well and successfully made many interceptions; Faizul scored the match winner apart from making critical challenges and winning headers; Fazlon was committed despite an injured ankle; Suhaimi was stable, with a superb 'lazy' interception in the second half. If not for Syukri, they definitely would have won Men-of -the-Training-Match.
With everyone rushing home to break their fast, not much review could be made of each of the other players. However, an unnamed player called to say a few words - "Well, i suppose some of the guys were dissappointed that we did not play a proper game today. Apologies for that, as too for not informing on the non-existence of the referee, but I had to salvage the situation and felt that this training match was a good chance for us to keep our momentum going. And more importantly, at least our dear aunt's efforts to change the day of Iftar would have significant meaning, and not spoilt outrightly by this unforseen circumstance. Thanks to all players who turned up, including our physio Luqman who came down to provide RedBulls to all, if not most."
In other news, Liverpool's 2-1 beating of ManU was overshadowed by the brilliant show put up by the Blues' beating of Man"Shiekh"ster City. The supremacy has many concluding that it will be a one-horse race for the title, and the horse is donned in blue. Dark blue. Oh and for those Gunners, don't be too happy with the victory over Blackburn. It's just a phase and come November, as always, you will find yourselves languishing in 6th and figthing for the last Champs League spot with Spurs, Hull, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.
Team Cuzz (v Mix & Match FC on 13 Sep): Aril, Sharil Noni, Khairul, Suhaimi, Faizul, Saifudin, Fazlon, Syukri, Riduan, Imran, Shahrudin, Arul, Faisal.
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