SMUN-GENTS 5 - 2 SAMBAL SK (17th May 2009, Commonwealth Sec)

SMUN-GENTS SHOCK SAMBAL SK

Smun-gents whipped a returning Sambal Sk 5-2 at the Commonwealth Secondary on Sunday. Despite fielding almost a full squad, Sambal Sk never looked like the team which tore apart veterans with ease in the past year. Starting sluiggishly afetr a lengthy layoff, many of the Sambalsters never looked prepared for a game. After Sajivan netted a fine opener from 20 yards out, Smun-gents capitalized on error from Subra to nod into an empty net as the half finished 1-all.

The players returned from a rather short break, and the defence was reshuffled to let Vasanth slot in at right back for Sunand. Luqman took left while Jegan and Jaga took over as centre halves. Shortly after, number 23 Andrei Ah Soh Wee skipped past 4 players before putting in a cross which his fellow Mungent converted with a header. Sambal SK pressed and Suresh whipped in a freekick which was deflected in by the head of William Goh Las. 2-2, it stood till the 50th minute. After that goal, Sambal football never looked spicy as a central defensive midfielder was missing which left the defence(lacking in match practise) very vulnerable to attacks of the Smun-gents. After several sloppy mistakes and a clear lack of match fitness, the score ended in an embarrassing 5-2 score in favour of the Orange donning Smun-gents.

Central defender Jaga gasped, "It was nasty. None of us were really having a go at it. Too sloppy
and the lack of a defensive midfielder clearly put us out of it. We were too casual, but we can only go up from here."


Bala meanwhile added on" I was disappointed with the result. I wanted to play in the DM position but on the long run, I believe we have to develop other players to be capable in different positons so we have to try new things out, and we have to closely analyse our performance and see how we go on from here. I think we missed the presence of our inspirational tackler, Logesh badly."

Captain Sriram claimed that having 3 central midfielders with attacking prowess led to a tactical downfall. "We tried some things out today but it clearly didn't work. We let Ganesh, Suresh and myself take central positions while we let our natural DMs Bala and Mark take different positions on the flanks. Sajivan had a good run and a goal but we didn't click as a team, but we will get better."

How will Sambal SK go on from here?
Nearly 3 months out without a game, and their first return ended in humiliation. Let's see how the Sambalsters fare next week. Stay tuned.

Break for the month of April (Explained!)

The team has taken an unanimous decision to take a break for the upcoming exams and not play games at the weekend for the month of April.

The exams are playing a huge role in our poor turnouts which also affects our results on the pitch and our finances to fund the game. Not to mention the mounting injury list. As of now, Cpt Sriram has taken a bold decision to put our April games on hold.

We shall return to put the spice back in the grasses in May, after most of us are back from our loan spells which end together with the Primera Liga, EPL and Serie A seasons. Only AJ Navin and both Sashis will be back in July, after the Copa Sundanamerica as the boys are heavily involved in the premier South American tournament. Way to go boys!!