vs SCC (180606)

And we just keep getting better.

We're on a roll guys. Now to make sure we keep it up. We must keep winning, even without the action bedek yr2s next week. We had a fantastic game, improving on our previous one. We started off brightly and didn't allow SCC to settle down. This time, the early pressure paid off with a beautiful flowing goal. Jigar challenged for the ball in midfield and the ball broke to Huzer who quickly released Mervyn down the right. The rampaging Mervyn and Yangwei combined well, giving Mervyn ample time to choose his pass. He left the defence flat-footed when he squared to Huzer at top-D instead of hitting in towards goal. The unmarked Huzer, running up from midfield (about the only time he ran), gleefully accepted the pass and somehow managed to steer the ball past the keeper (a bit fluke, but skill nonetheless).

Despite the early lead, we did well by keeping up the pressure and got our due reward by winning a penalty flick. Nirmal politely demurred and offered the flick to others. Huzer started to walk to the D to take the flick, but was quickly brushed aside by Azri who was sprinting up from defence (the fastest he ran all day). Azri felt his moment of glory had arrived. He did not disappoint; his trademark sick flick beating the former national keeper.

Halftime arrived as a slight disappointment as it disrupted our rhythm and gave SCC time to regroup. We started the second half with a slight reshuffle, Nirmal taking his standard 2nd half position of centre forward. Our defence coped with his loss better than in the previous game, and this can only give us confidence for those matches where he will be on flight. We were unable to maintain our high tempo game in the second half due to the fast tiring midfield and a tactical change by SCC who waited to attack us on the break. We did manage to maintain the upper hand though, and forced a serious of short corners. What was initially a mistake by the short corner team turned into a beautiful team goal when the push from Huzer reached Jigar who fed Nirmal who in turn found Zarir who faked the keeper and squared to Huzer to tap into an empty goal.

SCC started to up their game after this, and Manish was finally called into action, making save after save and moving off his line quickly to snuff out any danger. Just as SCC seemed to be gaining momentum, Huzer won the ball in the opponents' half and went on an inspired run. He beat a few players but his resultant shot was tame. However, the placement of the shot meant the keeper could only parry the ball straight to Zarir, who finished with panache from 15 yards out, hitting the ball high over the prone keeper. SCC went for broke and only some determined defending and good goalkeeping prevented them from snatching a consolation goal.

(customary) Special mentions:

Manish - for playing his best ever game as keeper. His dominant performance in the second half proved enough to grab the Nirmal Singh Man of the Match Award (NSMotMA) from Huzer, who must surely be wondering what else he must do on top of his 2 goals and an assist to win this award. Temasek captain Huzer gamely commented that he was proud of Manish for winning the award, and that the performance of the team came before any individual honours
Huzer & Zarir - for good teamwork and understanding, and for the mutual assists. Also for Zarir being extra fit to cover up for Huzer's lack of match fitness
Terrence, Cheng Liang & Harven - for playing extremely well once they came on, especially considering their lack of match experience. Provided the legs for our fast tiring midfield
Raf - for continuing the girls' winning streak and for remembering to take photos (hint hint meihui)
Veera - for coming down to support us despite the jetlag
Yazid - for making a surprise appearance to help watch our bags

We would like to welcome Teng to the Temasek Hockey family. Teng is a veteran keeper who brings a wealth of experience to the team, and this could only be good for us. A shame that Manish, who was finding his feet as a keeper, has to become an outfield player. Again.

-Huzer