Midland Wolves - League Game this Sunday 27th Sep

Hi Midland Wolves,

D2D League Season 2009
Match Report
League Game
Attendance
Sep Schedule
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Table standings:
http://www.d2dsports.com/category/football-leagues/sunday-9am-league/

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Match Report:
Midland Wolves FC vs Phoenix FC
HT: 1-0
FT: 2-1
Goals: Yu Xiang, BX
Assists: Welson
Cards: Nil
MW MOM: Yu Xiang

Formation: 4-1-2-1-2 (4-3-3)
Lineup: Gabriel, PC, Vincent (Jack), Alastair (Yeepoo), Sebas, Welson, Yu Xiang (Nikorasu), Jason (Calvin), Wenjie, Ray (Leonard), BX (Jason)

On a day where most of Singapore is enjoying the long weekend, the Wolves head into an encounter with Phoenix FC in what is dubbed as "the battle of the bottom dwellers", a title neither team wants to own. Facing each other for the first time, with Wolves fresh from their goal feast of 9 goals last week, and Phoenix drawing mid table Ace Galaxy last week, both teams come into the game brimming with confidence and form. In the temporary absence of the coaches Sebas did well to organise the team and set the formation for the game. Weather was good and sunny and both teams expecting a tough fight. Both knows that a loss at this juncture of the season would literally end the season.

So the game kicks off in a fast and furious fashion. Not long into the half, a corner kick delivered to the box was fumbled by the Phoenix keeper, and Ray was on the ball in a split second. However, he wasn't able to turn his chance into a goal opportunity in time and the ball was smothered. The consistant PC as usual was commanding the backline well, catching the opponents offside time and again, much to their frustration. The Woodlands Sec pitch was short and wide and very quickly affected our game play as our formation's 3 midfielders struggle to cope with the added width. Sebas was doing well in the left back position, dealing with the Phoenix's number 17 winger effectively, matching pace for pace, size for size. Opportunity came a knocking when Phoenix conceded a corner. Yu Xiang took the corner, and his delivery took a wicked swerve and went in off the side netting for a goal. If it was planned it was ingenius as the Phoenix keeper looked shaky all game. 1-0! Sebas had a moment of brillance when he won the ball on the left, interchanged passes with Welson and flicked the ball pass his marker. He controlled the ball and blasted a volley that just flew over the bar. Not long after Ramesh made a tactical switch and brought in last week's MOM Calvin for Jason, switching to a 4-5-1 to cover the width of the pitch and to protect the slim lead. BX and Yu Xiang switched flanks, with Wenjie playing support to Ray. Wenjie was having a good game, chasing down balls and intercepting play all game long. Ray and BX was causing Phoenix problems with their pace. Half time.

Half time switches saw Jack come in for Vincent. The game restarted and right from the onset Wolves plied pressure forward in search for the second to cement the win. Some quick interplay in the box found a loose ball heading towards Welson, who let rip a daisy cutter that was just inches off with the Phoenix keeper wholly beaten. Welson was having a great game in the centre of the park. The second came when Welson intercepted a stray pass by Phoenix, and he let a through pass that found BX. BX, with his usual pace and footwork just managed to beat his marker slightly and get into the box. He let loose a low grounder that found the back of the net. 2-0! Things looking up for Wolves. Ray had another close call when a high cross delivered by Yu Xiang into the box, and Ray headed the ball just over the bar. Yu Xiang showing good form carried over from the last game. Yu Xiang himself came close to a second when he latched on to the ball in the Phoenix penalty area, and outfoxed the keeper, side stepping and beating the rushing keeper completely. With the open goal at his mercy, he blasted his shot over the bar. Wasted opportunity. Another chance came a begging when Yu Xiang once again found space but his shot hit the upright and out for a goal kick. Alastair off for Yeepoo, Jason on for BX subsequently. Phoenix made their own subs and switched from 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2, then made even further subs and went for the jugular in a 3-4-3 formation. The Wolves were starting to feel the pressure as Phoenix started to attack through the flanks, overloading the left flanks with 3 attackers at one point. The Wolves were dealing with the threat well until controversy occured. A well played one-two by the Phoenix wingers sliced the defence open and the Phoenix striker was neck to neck in a foot race with PC heading into the box. PC in desperation shoved the striker off the ball at the edge of the box. The disgruntled fallen striker lashed out at PC and had a swing at him. PC, being the bigger man walked away before the incident blew over. Once order restored, the unbelieveable happened. The ref points to the spot! Wolves' protest fell on deaf ears as the ref must have left his glasses at home when he insisted he saw the incident in the box. Anyway the penalty was despatched coolly and the Wolves found themselves hanging on to a slim 2-1 lead. Not long after the ref blew the whistle for full time.

Learning Points:
- Wolves' MOM goes to Yu Xiang. Who was the creative spark in the game today. Worth mentioning are Wenjie and Welson, who played well to break up Phoenix's play in the middle of the park, and Sebas who rescued the defence a couple of occasions. Gabriel too did well with his goal kicks and handling.
- An improvement in defensive performance from last week's game, with the Wolves denied a clean sheet by some dubious refereeing. Still, chances were wasted and we could have scored a couple more. But good effort Wolves, keep it up!
- It's mid season now and we have 6 points out of a potential 21. By now we should have shaken off the early league nerves and week in week out football should have seasoned us some. We have played every opponent in the league already and no more excuses. Let's nick some points and strive for the mid table.

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League Game:
Midland Wolves FC vs Galactico Empire FC
Last result: 3-0 loss. They were the first team we played when we joined the league. Though we lost, it was more due to nerves rather than them being stronger. We knew we could beat them if we keep our passing game going as they weren't that good. Opponents are very physical, especially in centre mid positions. Their dangerman was their left winger, so our right back needs to be solid. Their attacks come mainly from the flanks. We had alot of chances, so that shows their defence is penetrable, so we need just to convert. They scored 3 goals, one from a corner which was due to our poor marking, another from a penalty, and the last from a flank low cross that weren't dealt with. So this game we need to tighten our defence and concentrate on the man-marking. They had a week's rest last week, so they may be rusty or they may be rested. Their last game they lost 3-1 to Morning Glory and had a player sent off. We are coming in riding on 2 wins, so lets keep the momentum going and make use of our current form to get our revenge. As location is quite far, make sure you are well rested the night before.

Details as follows:
Date: 27/09/2009
Time: 9.00am (PLS BE THERE BY LATEST 8.30am)
Location: West Spring Sec Sch, 61 Senja Road. See attached link.
http://sg.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_id_9765/travel_site_119094/

Notes:
- Midland Wolves to WEAR the WHITE JERSEY SET.
- Bring own water bottles and boots.
- Toilet/water point is in school field.
- Pls bring shin guards.
- In the case of inclement weather (heavy downpour, thunderstorm, etc) game will be postponed. Will inform u guys on the morning itself, so it's imperative I have your contact numbers.

Team Sheet:
Gk - Kunyi/Gabby
Def - PC (VC)
Def - Alastair
Def - Calvin
Def - Khairi
Def - Keegan
Mid - Sebas
Mid - Yu Xiang
Mid - Welson
Mid - Melvin
Mid - Jason
Fwd - Aloysius
Fwd - Ray
Fwd - JJ
Fwd - Wenjie

Standby Replacements: Sheares, Syafiq, Jack, Naren, Yeepoo, Niko

Please inform your respective captains before Sunday whether you can make it for the game or not. PC will be the stand in VICE captain in Dansen's absence until his return. Sms to Sebas at 96201130, PC at 91555257. Captains please revert attendance to JACK on Sat.

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Attendance:
Jeff is away on long term absence.
Kelvin, Jia Jun, Dun Rong, Issac and Martin will be coming less for training due to O Levels this year.
Raj is away overseas till end of the year.
Naren is away on NS.
Mark is league tied.
Dansen is overseas till 13 Oct.
Shawn will be away on Sundays due to remedial training till October.
BX is has classes on Sunday mornings.
Fabian is away for whole of Sept for personal reasons.
Ray will be away in October and November due to A levels.
Alvin is on duty.
Vincent is away this weekend for personal reasons.

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September Schedule:
06/09/09 - League Game 9am @ Punggol Sec vs Ace Galaxy (Postponed)
13/09/09 - League Game 9am @ Punggol Sec vs Hougang North (6-3)
20/09/09 - League Game 9am @ Woodlands Sec vs Phoenix (2-1)
27/08/09 - League Game 9am @ West Spring Sec vs Galactico Empire

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Visit us at our website at www.midlandwolves.blogspot.com
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Go Wolves!

Mr Wolf