Monday, August 11, 2014

Kamikaze Back To Winning Ways

MOF SEASON 5 DIVISION 1
ROUND 13
Koja Boy's vs KAMIKAZE FC
11th Aug 2014
11 Am Bedok View Secondary


It was touted as an inconsequential league game. Both Kamikaze and their Opponents Koja Boy's were most definitely going on to Division 2 next season and KKZ had planned to use this match as an extended warm-up in preparation for next season. What happened during the match, had several narratives for the outlook of next season. 

Koja started the game with only 8 men, while Kamikaze saw the veteran Victor come out from retirement to lead the attack, in a KKZ squad that looked bold enough to play a 3-5-2 formation. The move looked to be a dream, as KKZ put Koja to the sword by going 4-0 up in just 20 minutes, thanks to a brace from Victor and Pratheep. Although they conceded a goal to an unstoppable free-kick, control was once again established, thanks to another brace, this time from, Pira and 1 goal apiece from Nelson and Eng. Even when Koja scored another goal, this time from an even better free-kick, the game looked sewed up.

This prompted Kamikaze to take a bold step in offering Koja Boy's three of their players for the second half. Although, they were down by 3 men and six goals, Koja Boy's played with good spirit, zest and energy and it seemed like the right thing to do and in the interest of an exciting game, with the result sewed up, KKZ sent over Safar, Prem and Victor to bolster their opponents.

Within 10 minutes, they were sorely ruing their decision as Safar reminded everybody, that he is still the magician he has been for the past 5 years. In a bizarre twist of fate, the sturdy Kamikaze defence was put to the sword by one of their own, as Safar ran riots around them and scored a hat-trick within 6 minutes of the restart. Prem got in on the act by outjumping the entire KKZ defence to bring the deficit down to only 2 goals and with the KKZ team in disarray, acting player-manager switched back to join the KKZ team.

And that was when disaster stuck, as Victor made a seemingly innocuous run, only to hit the ground after badly twisting his knee while making a turn. The veteran was immediately stretchered out, facing possibly the end of his career once again, but the team had a far more important task: to sew up a seemingly straight-forward game that had now turn into a mine-trap.

They needed someone to step in to restore some order. New-signing Nelson, is not your typical attacking player. The pudgy forward, is not blessed with tremendous pace or deft silky movements, but there was something about this man that convinced the management to sign him up. And that is the man's tenacity and the knack of always being in the right place at the right-time. He put the result beyond doubt with a brace in the second half to bring up his first-ever hat-trick for Kamikaze. 

However, despite the goal gluts, there were plenty of unsung heros for Kamikaze yesterday. The keeper Vishnu, another new-signing, was not at fault for any of the goals and even saved a penalty. Marshalled by the impressive Neshsta, the defence held firm and steady. Captain Haravin, once again showed his energy and versatility as he put in a tireless shift in the wingback role, while Gerard and Viki dominated the midfield and were imperious in the first half. But the man-of-the match, was easily the man who did not score, but had a hand in most of the goals, Vijay. It is not difficult to see why this man, is touted as the spearhead of the attack. His intelligence and runs, created mayhem in the opponents' defence and his unselfishness always brings the best out of his teammates. Vijay will be crucial cog in the heart of Kamikaze's attack.


KAMIKAZE!!!


Squad: Vishnu (GK), Neshsta, Ashraf, Prem, Haravin (c), Pratheep Muse, Gerard, Viki, Safar, Victor, Vijay, Eng, Pira, Hasiim, Nelson

Goals: Victor (2), PratheepMuse (2), Pira (2), Eng, Nelson (3)


Final Score: Koja Boy's 6 - 10 Kamikaze FC