Gemok not really Gemok

Dempsey Pitch, Harding Rd - In their bid to carry on the momentum picked up from previous week's victory, TeamCuzz stumbled upon giants Tuan Gemok Athletic Social. It is amazing how names could be used as mind games to trick the opposing team, with the Gemoks turning up all but gemok. In fact, every player was young & physically fit (with the exception of one who tried in vain to make up for it by wearing a pair of mercurial vapour). The difference in physical size was reflected in the scoreline, with the Gemoks undeservedly triumphing 7-3.

Despite knowing their opponents were non-locals, TeamCuzz were unfazed by the occasion. The same could not be said of their impression of the pitch. Having frequently played at their Wembley homeground, TeamCuzz were surprised to find the opponents' homeground pitch incredibly larger, resembling the Nou Camp. Fortunately, the manager came early enough to notice this & made some quick adjustments to the team's formation & gameplay.

It paid off for TeamCuzz as they dominated the game from kickoff. Their constant, purposeful pressure & timely runs caught their bigger opponents off-guard on many occasions. They went one up very early in the game, with Haikal racing clear after a through ball from midfield & then having the presence of mind to provide the simplest of tap-ins for Captain Shahrudin. TeamCuzz did not rest on their laurels & continued to ask more questions of the opposing defence. In fact, there were so many questions asked that it bewilders this TeamCuzz reporter on why he isn't describing the goals which would have given TeamCuzz a comfortable lead by this point.

Having seen enough of TeamCuzz's failure to convert their dominance into goals, the Gemoks made them pay. Against the run of play, one of the Gemoks released a venomous 50-yarder which left TeamCuzz's custodian Abdullah rooted to the spot. Soon after, another player produced a shot which went in off the post. TeamCuzz went into the break 2-1 down to the astonishment & disappointment of many.

Changes were rang at halftime to provide more urgency & attacking play to overcome the deficit. However, a defensive catastrophe occured very early in the 2nd half which led to Gemok's third goal. TeamCuzz were never really out of the picture as they continued to press forward. One of such attacks saw Shahrudin being fumbled in the box. He dusted himself clean and stepped up to convert his 4th of the season. The next attack also placed TeamCuzz in a favourable position when Gemok's centreback was sent off for a cynical foul on Khairil. With momentum on their side, on top of cracks being seen in Gemok's players, TeamCuzz crafted a superb move which saw Haikal slotting home the equaliser.

That equaliser seemed to have woken the giants up. With their backs against the wall, Gemok's midfielder produced a stunning curler to swing the lottery back their way. Another attack then saw yet another goal conceeded which dampened TeamCuzz's hopes for a revival. As TeamCuzz engaged in gung-ho stance from then on, 2 more goals were conceeded towards the end.

TeamCuzz's First Team Coach, Shikin, applauded the players' efforts at coming back from 2 goals down. He mentioned that the team is definitely improving, especially in command and presence on the pitch. With impressive displays all-around, he saw it difficult to separate the top-three performers on that day - Imran, Haikal & Hyder.

As harsh as the scoreline reflected, the sickening truth remains that TeamCuzz lost yet another 3 crucial points. That puts them in a position just one off the relegation candidates. Good news, there is no lower league to drop into. Bad news, there is no lower league to drop into.

TeamCuzz vs Tuan Gemok (on 11Jul) - Abdullah, Aril, Saifuddin, Zulkhairi, Faizul, Fazlon, Luqman, Syukri, Aidil, Hyder, Imran, Khairil, Shukur, Amirul, Sharif, Haikal, Shahrudin