BPFC 1-1 Squirrels FC

Scorer: Guo Xing

Assist: Lem BX

Half the Woodgrove curse was ____ (i dono wat english word to use, was thinking of lifted, removed.. aiya fug it) when we drew level with Squirrels FC at 1-1. Finally broke the streak of played 2 lose 2, but now it reads 3 winless runs in 3 games. Got to do something about it. And for those who like statistics even more, this is BPFC's 10th consecutive game without a clean sheet. Our policy of scoring one more than you is certainly not making the goals conceded part look good.

As star leftback Joel Yeo Lip Wee applied a last minute leave in order to tend to his girlfriend who was in the delivery room, things didnt look promising to the BPFC's defence. However, BPFC would like to send our best regards to both Joel and his GF, wishing them good luck in their new born child. To a few of the BPFC's players when discussed during prematch, this is the only reason a player can miss a match, this sort of urgency. Fortunately, the return of the rock in Hong Yun was a good psychological boost to the team. Playing without our 2 experienced goalkeepers, 3rd choice and ever-reliant Kelvin Lin stood in between the posts for his 2nd game ever as a GK for BPFC.

And so the line-up reads:
GK: Kelvin

Def: SJ, Yun, Shuheng, Ang

Mid: Steven, BX, GX, Fav

FW: Alan, PengYong

First half was stalemate and it was a tight contest between both teams. The presence of Yun added a different dimension to the BPFC's defence with his calm playing of the ball out of defence instead of the usual whack as you get. Our best chance in the half fell to PengYong whose header from BX's corner was a tad too weak and it fell safely to the hands of the opposing keeper.

Nothing especially exciting here and Kel had an easy first half in goal as both teams hardly threatened to scare.

Soon after the 2nd half kicked off, BPFC took the lead. BX's corner found GuoXing unmarked and the diminutive centre mid rose above all to head it pass the GK and made it 1-0 to BPFC. It was joy for the team as we hardly waited till the second half for our first goal.

A flurry of chances soon followed suit. Notably, BX's freekick went sailing over the bar and a few other shots from both inside and outside the box all missing the target. PengYong's ingenious turn-volley from a throw in fell wicked to the other side of the net. And how can we forget ShengJie's audacious volley from halfway line which saw the ball cruelly bounce over the goalposts for just a goalkick. Our striker's + leftwinger's unselfish play saw them missing a few pointblank chances where the possibility of getting a goal out of these few chances can be pretty high as Im sure they have the ability to pack a powerful shot!

Watching from the sidelines after being substituted, the defence was in bits and pieces. There were many times when a better move from the opponent could see our defence split apart. Both Fav and I had our hearts in our mouths as we watched the game.

A paragraph will also be dedicated to our rightwinger Favian. In the 4-3 victory over team TJC, Favian was out of the game for most parts. In his willingness to retain his position in the starting 11, the winger went for running exercises in the build-up to the game. Such is his level of commitment to BPFC and we should applaud him for that. His commitment aside, Favian showed the defensive side of him in today's game. Even though he didnt send in as many crosses as he used to, a winger's game should not be judged by the number of crosses he made. His contribution was at both ends of the pitch with decisive passes, and constant tracking back. It was a marked improvement as being a right back myself, it felt safe everytime an attack comes down because Favian would make a conscientious effort to track back and cover. Kudos to the winger.

End of the day, we can only say that we should be the better team. But the scoreline still reads 1-1. Our play is too one dimensional, only going forward. Composure was clearly lacking today and I would love to see the day BPFC stroke the ball around like all ah peks playing soccer. Little running and all passing. We are conceding so many goals not because we are unlucky, but for a reason. Remember to vote for your MOM.

On the next game, its gonna be 3-5-2 for BPFC with Yun deployed as a DM. Lets do it.

Today's addition to funds: $45

Current funds: $177

After much consideration, the club has decided to cash in on Lem BX should an offer from City arrive for $701 million. A 5 million percent increase in club funds, one would call Gaffer Ang as dumb should he reject the deal. In the meantime, we shall give BX another chance to prove himself worthy of staying at BPFC.

Contenders for MOM:

Favian - for his tireless defensive runs

Hong Yun - we all missed him so dearly

GuoXing - 1 goal and countless contributions

Kelvin Lin - 3rd choice keeper, but he never looked like a 3rd choice

Shuheng - hardly a foot wrong in defence

Others - pls mention on the tagboard who u wanna back for

Statistics so far for 2009:
Games played: 2

Goals scored: 4

Goals conceded: 4 (WTF)

Goals:

2 - PengYong

1 - Steven

1 - BX

1 - GuoXing

Assist:

1 - Ang

1 - PengYong

1 - BX

Man of the Match:

0.5 - PengYong

0.5 - Bing Xian

And i shall end the day with his meaningful picture and a slogan close to our hearts, by our famous model, Kel Lin.

Yes.. Lets march in 'victory' hand in hand..

Ang