ZIBOM vs Zombie Kg Pisang
Match report
Last season’s SFL Cup semi-finalists ZIBOM got the ball rolling for the third SFL season in a row in their match-up against one of the many newcomers this season, Zombie Kg Pisang. ZIBOM with their attractive, swift counter-attacking play were always going to be favourites in this one, and captain and playmaker Hanan Elias proved that by scoring the first goal of this SFL season, after stealing the ball off the Zombie defender, he coolly lifted the ball over the keeper and into the goal. But Zombie gave themselves some hope, when a wonder-strike from Fuad somehow beat ZIBOM goalie Naqib Nasir, came off the underside of the crossbar, and went in. Sensing an upset, the Zombies threw more men forward, but they were made to pay when Hadri Abd. Majid pounced on a weak back pass to poke in ZIBOM’s 2nd goal. Hadri grabbed his 2nd just before the break when his shot ricocheted off the keeper and rolled into the back of the net. After the break, Zombies woes continued when a neat finish through the keeper’s legs from Zul Izzi put the game beyond doubt, before Hadri completed his hat-trick with a magnificient solo run and finish to cap off a brilliant, all-round performance from ZIBOM.
Man of The Match
In a match where ZIBOM were hardly under threat, it was their star striker Hadri Abd. Majid who proved the difference, signing off a brilliant performance with three, well-taken goals. Proving last season that he is a real goal-poacher, maybe this year he can lead ZIBOM to the much sought-after SFL title.
ZIBOM verdict
Yet again, a team to look out for this season. Their impressive speed and counter-attacking play is a real threat, and having gelled as a team pretty easily last year, their only weakness seems to be the way they perform against the so-called “Big Teams”. Maybe this year could be a better year for them.
Zombie verdict
A tough opener for the newcomers. Some slight defensive worries, but nothing that can’t be rectified. A brilliant goal by Fuad, showed that they do have the quality. A few more goals like that, and who knows, a few big upsets perhaps??
Suicidal vs Ayam
Match report
Last year’s ultimate underdogs Ayam were back, this time up against the newly assembled Suicidal team. Boasting a line-up including several players who really impressed last season, namely Anand (a.k.a Wudu) and Prashanth, amongst several others, Suicidal started well, taking the game to Ayam, keeping possession well, and asking many questions of the Ayam defense. And before long, Prashanth opened the scoring, driving home a piledriver from distance, which jus flew past Ayam’s stand-in goalie, Hazrul. Suicidal continued to search for a 2nd, and just before half-time, they were duly rewarded, captain Ziya coming in as a substitute, and blasting in yet another long-distance shot with what was virtually his 1st touch. In the 2nd half, it was more of the same, and it came as no surprise when Wudu, showing some excellent close-control and skill, danced past the entire Ayam defense before slotting home to make it 3-0 to Suicidal. And a few minutes later, Karthik (a.k.a. Bufo) showed off some Sharma-like skills, rolling the ball under his feet, before laying the ball off to Muthuvel, who calmly side-footed the ball into the back of the net for Suicidal’s 4th. Final score 4-0.
Man of The Match
In a complete all-round team performance such as this, it was really hard to single anyone out from Suicidal who deserved this award, but for the way he took his goal and his all round contribution to his team’s win, Wudu is the Man of the Match. We knew from last year that this boy is something special, and he’s proving it again this year.
Suicidal verdict
The only new team to win this week, and a really comfortable one at that, makes Suicidal an early contender this season. Some brilliant long-distance shot-taking, sturdy defending, and some flowing football surely will take them quite far this season. But it’s still early days, and they will be facing tougher opponents in the weeks to come.
Ayam verdict
A poor start to the season for last season’s underdogs. Error-strewn goalkeeping, a shaky defense, and no real goal-scoring threat gives Ayam plenty of room for improvement, and since it’s still early in the season, plenty of games to do so as well. Last season we were all entertained by how much how heart they showed as the season wore on, and we will all support them in the future to make sure that their “never-say-die” spirit endures throughout this season as well.
U-9 vs United Life
Last year’s SFL Cup champions U-9 were largely expected to begin this season with a bang, and they did not fail to impress, with a very comfortable 6-0 whipping of newcomers United Life. Hardly a minute went by before Shahrul Azreen slotted in the 1st goal, a cute finish beating United Life’s stand-in goalie Vee Ther to finish off a flowing U-9 attack. That early goal demoralized United Life. Soon after, captain Suzuanhafizan grabbed his 1st goal of the season, finishing off yet another “defence-to-attack” move coolly. And after Shahrul grabbed his 2nd, it was just damage limitation for United Life from then on, as U-9 took total control of the game. It got worse for United Life when their captain Julian was sent off after a 2nd bookable offence, after a late tackle on Suzuan. Andrew and Ravishankar grabbed a goal each as well, before Shahrul clinched his hat-trick, to catapult himself to the top of the top-scorers list alongside ZIBOM’s Hadri.
Man of the Match
A superb team performance as always from U-9, but this time, Shahrul Azreen really showed his strengths, with a well-taken trio of goals. Missing out the majority of last season through injury, this performance must surely boost his confidence and that of U-9’s as well.
U-9 verdict
Another confident performance from the SFL Cup winners of last year, their flowing transition from defence to attack was just too much for United Life to handle. It could have easily been more than 6 goals, but at the rate they are going, U-9 look certainly like the team to beat. Still early days though.
United Life
Playing an inexperienced keeper in goal may have contributed to their problems, or maybe U-9 were just too good on their day. Hopefully next week they will have their 1st choice keeper back in goal. They will, however, be missing their captain Julian, who will probably be suspended for the next game after receiving his marching orders against U-9. No sliding tackles folks!!
Heroes vs 69 Flyers
Match report
Defending league champions Heroes were expected to cruise past the Flyers this week, but my, were they in for a fight!! An exciting, slightly one-sided game began with Heroes displaying their ability to keep the ball, culminating in an early goal by Afi, his shot beating Flyers goalie Jerome pretty easily to make it 1-0. It was an extra special goal for Afi, Sunday being his birthday (many happy returns!). But that early goal didn’t quite set the tone of the game, as it stung the Flyers into a more disciplined formation and performance, with Jerome eager to make up for conceding that early goal. Flying and diving this way and that, he managed to thwart Heroes’ attacks, helped by experienced defender Puvan (a.k.a Ashley Cole). They also had a few sights on goal, Bob and Abilaash Menon coming close on a few occasions. But try as they may, they couldn’t get past the heroes defense or their goalie. The game ended 1-0.
Man of the Match
He may have been on the losing side, and it was his mistake that led to the only goal of the game, but goalkeeper Jerome of 69 Flyers gets the nod with his brilliant saves which kept the scoreline at that. Some brave dives at the feet of the on-rushing Heroes’ strikers and some quick, accurate throws out to his forwards went a long way to getting him selected as Man of the Match.
Heroes verdict
A slow start to the season for Heroes, but a win is always a win. They were rarely troubled defensively, but their attack seemed to have lost its spark in the 1st game. Probably due to the opponents goalkeeper though, but with time, you can expect Heroes to recover their razor-sharp attack. Come the final stages of the league, look out for Heroes, because they’re going to be on top there or thereabouts.
69 Flyers verdict
They started off pretty slowly against Heroes, but as the game got on, you could see that they were improving as a team, defensively more than offensively, however. But then again, defense is sometimes the best offense. Maybe switching around a few players may help their cause.
Diablos Locos vs Dirigo FC
Match report
Diablos Locos began their new campaign without 2 of their most influential players from last year’s unexpected run to the SFL Cup final. On the other hand, newcomers Dirigo were looking forward to giving a good showing of themselves in their debut season. After a slightly cagey first few minutes, Locos’ new signing Saravana Raj opened the scoring with his 1st competetive goal for the club with a blistering shot from long range which just whizzed past Dirigo goalie, Mahesh. Dirigo were still reeling from that wonder goal when the Locos striked again, this time Russian import Ivan pouncing on the loose ball after captain Logan Kaderes had caused some unrest in the Dirigo defence. In the 2nd half, the Locos controlled possesion, and soon after, Logan made it 3-0 with an impressive diving header from a high kick-in. Just when the Locos thought they were home and dry, Dirigo pulled one back, hitting Locos with a sucker-punch out of nowhere via Jeeva. However, Ivan restored the Locos’ 3-goal lead, his kick-in bouncing off the keeper’s legs, to make the final score 4-1.
Man of the Match
It was a tough choice between the 2 new signings of Diablos Locos, Raj and Ivan. But though Raj’s wonder-goal will definitely be a contender for goal of the season, it was Ivan’s all-round performance, never-say-die attitude and his constant running that gets him the nod. A star in the making perhaps??
Diablos Locos verdict
Many expected the Locos to struggle this year without their 2 stars from last year, but a strong showing in their 1st game has maybe reignited their hopes, with their 2 new signings proving that they can more than fill the voids left behind. A team to look out for, if they can be more consistent and plug up the few holes they possess defensively.
Dirigo verdict
A slow start for the newcomers, but maybe the score flattered the Locos. A strong, physical performance by Dirigo, proving that they weren’t pushovers and were not at all bullied into submission by the Locos. Maybe a lack of playing time together contributed to their defeat, but with more games, surely they can only improve as a team.
Soleus vs Musaib
Match report
Soleus had a good season last year, finishing 4th in the league and reaching the semi-finals of the Cup. Bolstered by a fresh face in the form of their new striker and with their brand-new black-and-gold jerseys, they started off impressively, taking the game to Musaib. What they didn’t count on though, was that Musaib’s goalie was bang on form. A string of fine saves to deny Luqman on several occasions was more than enough to prove his credentials, and keep Musaib in the game. Even when Abdul Azim (a.k.a Yem) was thrown in, he could not find a way past Musaib’s keeper. Musaib threatened too through their strikers, and it was on one such occasion late in the game when they threw all their players forward, leaving no one behind to mind the shop. Soleus’s Ashraf intercepted a pass, and before you knew it, it was 3-vs-1, Musaib’s keeper being the last man behind. Some clever interplay between Yem and Ashraf led to the latter feeding the ball to an unmarked Luqman to slot the ball home. The final score, 1-0 to Soleus.
Man of the Match
Our 2nd outstanding goalie of the week, Musaib’s keeper (anybody here knows his name?). A fantastic performance, repelling wave after wave of Soleus’s attacks. Unfortunately, just when he thought he had bailed his team out, a late goal took away his clean sheet. An excellent performance nevertheless.
Soleus verdict
A good performance by Soleus, 1-0 being a fair result in the end. Showing some good attacking play, it could have been a more comfortable win. Look out for this boys, they will be up there among the top teams. With an impressive strike force like that, they will be a force to contend with.
Musaib’s verdict
A steady performance by the newcomers, this being the best showing by a new team so far this round. Strong goalkeeping, steady defending, and a balanced attack, makes this team a possible threat. How much of a threat, only time can tell.
1 match did not have review. Kratus United vs Bambang Pamungkas.
