Monday, November 12, 2007

Update for 3rd Nov - Kamikaze vs Refugees FC

Hi everybody. Sorry for the delay in updating the blog. The Management and the Editorial team took a deserved break for the Deepavali season, and we are now back. Firstly, KKZ would like to wish all of you out there Belated Happy Deepavali Wishes. We would also like to wish, former Captain Sivabalan a belated Happy 24th Birthday. Time to stop studying bro!

Now for the update of the match on 3rd Nov. Kamikaze was playing at St Wilfrids against a highly-rated Refugees FC. KKZ were inspired by the overwhelming attendance which saw 17 KKZ players turn out for the match, including fellow Aussie boy USPO Suresh who returned on holidays. However, the pressure of keeping alive the 6-match winning streak, plus the memories of the loss they faced at St Wilifrids the last time round and the prospect of facing a tough team might have been too hard for the team to handle. Furthermore, KKZ were still without a full-time keeper and player-manager Haresh was also sidelined due to working commitments.

Nonetheless, KKZ could not have wished for a better start, when in the 4th min, Wonderkid Ghaz put them ahead. Hotshot striker Vicky latched on to a delightfully played throughball on the left wing by Anand Spaceship. Vicky then proceeded to round a defender, before curling in a cross into the box. The Refugees' rightback managed to intercept the cross, but his attempted backpass was niftly stolen by Ghaz who did well to place the ball past the oncoming keeper. KKZ up by 1-0.

Nayee, who was red-carded in the previous match, substituted Habib as keeper, only to have wished that he didn't. He failed to collect a ball, that resulted in a corner kick. He again fluffed at the corner that resulted in a subsequent corner. It was third time lucky for the Refugees as their midfielder curled a ball that saw Nayee being stranded and watching the ball float in. Scores tied at 1 a piece.

However, KKZ were determined to go into the break with a lead and their efforts paid off just before the half-time whistle. Habib who was reintroduced into the field as striker, shaked off two defenders to meet with Prem's chipped through ball. He sent the KKZ faithful into delirium as he coolly chipped the ball over the Refugees' keeper. Kamikaze were leading 2-1 and that was how the half ended.

The second half saw the Refugees gaining more control of the match and taking more shots at goal. Good keeping from Nayee saw that the score line remained with KKZ in the lead. However, that was to change as Nayee conceded a very soft goal to let the Refugees equalise. A half-hearted strike from the Refugees' striker saw the ball rolling under the body of Nayee and just into the net. The game was once again even and both teams had everything to play for.

KKZ threw everything they had, and the substitutions flew in fast and furious. Both teams had several chances to score but neither capitalised on their chances. With 5 mins to go, Nayee stepped up to substitute Vicky. It was a last ditch effort from KKZ to preserve their winning streak. And preserve it, they did. Anand Spaceship floated in a teasing cross from the left side. Nayee timed his diagonal run perfectly to beat the offside trap, and with the flag staying down, he lifted the ball above the keeper and into the net. Villain Nayee turned Hero and sent the KKZ into pandemonium. The Refugees were deflated and KKZ even had a chance to increase their lead, but Dinesh Manjan could not finish cleanly.

In the end, it was KKZ who prevailed, and their unbeaten streak stretched to 7 with another hard-fought victory. All-in-all it was a match to remember. The man of the match was voted to be USPO Suresh who had a sterling game in defence on the first match of his return.

Match Stats:

Final Score: KKZ 3 Refugees FC 2 (2-1)
Goals: Ghaz (1), Habib (1), Nayee (1)
Assists: Prem (1), Anand Spaceship (1)
MOM: USPO

Overall Standings:

Goals:
(4): Haresh, Nayee
(3): Ghaz
(2): Barathi, Vinnie, Vicky, Dinesh Manjan
(1): Gerard, Satheesh, Jayraj, Ismail, Faizal(East), Anand Spaceship, Hari, Habib

Assists
(4): Anand Spaceship
(3): Barathi
(2): Gerard
(1): Haresh, Seelan, Vicky, Vinnie, Ghazali, Habib, Hari, Prem

MOM
(3): Nash
(1): Gerard, Manjo, Anand Spaceship, Francis Pow, Hari, USPO Suresh