Monday, May 26, 2014

Kamikaze Register their 3rd win of a tough season

MOF SEASON 5 DIVISION 1
ROUND 8
KAMIKAZE vs LE SEBEN FC
25 May 2014
1pm Pierce Secondary

Kamikaze needed to turn their season around and they had to do it starting from this game. Although the return of their Manager Seelan, seemed to boost the morale, with the team having 16 players for this game, there was still some worry as the team were facing several big-names. Nonetheless, there was excitement in the Kamikaze as there were some new faces, who by the end of the game had everyone sitting up and taking notice of their names. 

The team came out to attack and it all went according to plan as they managed to grab an early goal courtesy of excellent play by the quartet of new-face Francis, resurgent Manjan, on-form Muse and the returning Siva who volleyed the ball home. Yet, the goal did not settle the team's nerves as they continued being susceptible to the long ball played behind their defence. Another new-face Puvin was colossal in the centre of the defence, but Le Seben's route one football and Kamikaze's inability to hold on to possession kept seeing KKZ being put on the backfoot. Against the run of play, thanks to the excellent link-up play between Vijay and Siva, KKZ raced into a 3 goal lead which should have opened the floodgates, as Vijay grabbed a brace.

However, KKZ refused to hear the warning signs and they were soon punished as the continued Le Seben presence in their half paid off dividends as Le Seben caught the keeper off-guard with two well-taken goals. Manager Seelan who was fuming at the half-time, rang some changes and bolstered the midfield. The gaffer who has a reputation for surprising people with his unorthodox methods, got the last laugh as the team closed off the second half with 2 more goals. Deen, another new-face missed a penalty early, but made amends for it with an exquisite finish from outside the box which went in off the post. Mohaan then showed everyone why he is so highly-rated as he dispossessed the opponent and lobbed the keeper with a shot that gave him no chance.

Despite the scoreline, it was worrying to see Kamikaze unable to hold on to possession. A bright spark however, was the form of the 4 new-faces, Pravin, Francis, Puvin and Deen who injected much energy and speed into the game. The return to form of the Vijay-Siva combination would also mean that the team's other forwards would have to work very hard to get into the starting XI as these two cemented their first-choice status with a clinical performance. 

Seelan was forthright in his assessment,

"We came to win and it is not our business to analyse Le Seben's play. We won and now we move forward to the next game. We will come back stronger, that you can be assured of."

KAMIKAZE!!!

Squad: Victor (GK), Nesh, Puvin, Hara (c), Barathi, Dinesh Manjan, Francis, Pratheep Muse, Mohaan, Vijay, Siva, Pravin, Aravin Yeli, Deen, Kishen Boy, Anand Spaceship

Goals: Siva,  Vijay (2), Deen, Mohaan
Assists: Pratheep Muse, Siva (3)

Final Score: Kamikaze 5 - 2 Le Seben FC

Monday, May 19, 2014

Kamikaze suffers another morale-sapping defeat

MOF SEASON 5 DIVISION 1
ROUND 7
KAMIKAZE vs PROJECT VAULTS
18 May 2014
1pm Fuhua Secondary

Completely outplayed, Kamikaze suffered another humiliating defeat, this time at the hands of a well-organised and talented Project Vaults FC. No doubt, the scoreline was humiliating, but it must be said that this KKZ team was without both their first-team keepers and their entire first-choice midfield was out through injury or other commitments. While the efforts and commitment of those present surely cannot be questioned, their inability to keep possession was definitely worrying for the team as they finish the first leg of the season with only 7 points from 7 games. They enter the second-leg to avoid relegation which seems a very real proposition with every single game. 

KAMIKAZE!!!

Squad: Victor (GK), Nesh, Prem, Hara (c), Kishen Boy, Dinesh Manjan, Viki, Pratheep Muse, Barathi, Vijay, Aravind Yeli, Sara

Goals: Aravind Yeli
Assists: Pratheep Muse

Final Score: Kamikaze 1 - 8 Project Vaults

Monday, May 12, 2014

Kamikaze frustrated by Sol United

MOF SEASON 5 DIVISION 1
ROUND 6
SOL UNITED vs KAMIKAZE
11 May 2014
1pm Unity Secondary

Kamikaze endured a frustrating afternoon as they created truckloads of chances but could not find the goals to count for them. The team which had a severe player shortage, started enterprisingly as they stroked the ball around confidently, as they looked to have turned a corner. Yet, when it came to the area where it mattered most, they could not deliver as the team missed a few good opportunities to take the lead including a shot that rebounded off the crossbar. Just when it looked like it was going to be a nervous half-time break, Pratheep broke the deadlock, with some excellent buildup play that saw Sasi flick the ball onto Pratheep's path and the exciting winger made no mistake as he found the bottom-left corner.

Yet, the second half followed the pattern of the first half with the team unable to double their lead and soon they were made to pay for their lost chances as a hopeful punt up from Sol saw a mix-up between the keeper and the defence and the Sol striker had an easy tap-in. It was a tough result to take for the team, as despite their lack of personnel, every single player gave their hearts out on the pitch, and they deserved to have taken all 3 points.

Acting Manager summed up the mood in the camp,

"We gained a lot of confidence from this performance as we got our groove back, yet we are left with so much of frustration that we could not take our chances. This is very uncharacteristic of our team, who are known for their clinical finishing. Our attackers will have to step up and I'm sure they will, but today I'm proud of the effort that my team put in. Credits to Sol for giving us a good game."

KAMIKAZE!!!

Squad: Victor (GK), Oswind, Dinzo, Anand Spaceship, Hara (c), Dinesh Manjan, Karthik Doctor, Sasi, Pratheep Muse, Vijay, Safar

Goals: Pratheep Muse
Assists: Sasi

Final Score: Sol Utd 1 - 1 Kamikaze