The Singapore FC Match Report

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Terrapinn FC was coming into this game on the back of 3 straight defeats and a ropey looking start to 2012!! As pointed out last week, it was at this exact same stage in the first round of fixtures for 2011 that the turtles went from 3 straight losses to 8 wins on the bounce! Jonny challenged the team to get the win that would setup a potential repeat of this kind of form for 2012.

Upon reflection of the last couple of fixtures, the strategy for the game was to get back to basics; be disciplined in positional play, not lose the ball and force the opposition to make the mistakes. The game started slowly in terms of tempo, but Terrapinn was looking well organised. The first breakthrough came from Andy after about 6mins which seemed to impact the game with the tempo increasing somewhat and the opposition looking to respond quickly. This allowed Terrapinn to attack the spaces that opened up, and with some good shape and possession it resulted in another two quick goals taking the score line to 3-0; exactly the start we wanted!

With the momentum heading Terrapinn’s way, old habits of everyone pushing forward and trying to get onto the score sheet began to creep in. A nice counter attack from the opposition almost resulted in a goal but a great last ditch interception from Jabriel helped close the door!!!…His questionable pre-match squats clearly having the desired effect.

The opposition finally got a breakthrough from a well taken goal from distance, but the half finished 3-1 to Terrapinn…Although we didn’t manage to keep a clean sheet the positive was that their goal was simply a well taken speculative opportunity and was not down to poor defending…if only the same could be said for the goalkeeping – mentioning no names Nathan. A quick team talk focused on the Turtles not all rushing forward in attack and finishing off the match in a disciplined manner…Basically much of the same from the 1st half.

The game got under way, and but for some good use of the body from the two big guys up front for the opposition, their chances were all coming from distance. Terrapinn took the score to 4-1 with another goal from Andy with a well executed finish. A neat move followed that with some great pass and move play which deserved a goal but for a great reaction save from their keeper.

With the opposition having to respond with goals they became more and more exposed and a quick counter attack from Terrapinn this time saw Nathan making amends for his earlier ‘air shot’ and coolly tuck the ball into the bottom corner past an encroaching goalkeeper – 5-1 to Terrapinn.

The opposition got a 2nd goal from distance with a very well struck shot and probably deserved for the mere fact that they didn’t give up the chase in the latter stages and kept the game interesting for both sides. But, with 5mins remaining and a number of blocked shots from some great Terrapinn movement – the game was comfortably ours. A 6th and final goal from Terrapinn came with 2mins left on the clock – in the most bizarre fashion! Unfortunately Mio Stadium had stopped filming at that point on what surely would have become a global Terrapinn blog phenomenon and YouTube hit!!…A great counterattack ended with Andy smashing a dangerous looking ball form the right wing straight across the box – the opposition defender thought he’d done his job with a powerful clearance only for the ball to literally SMASH into Patrick’s stomach and into the bottom corner – Patrick proving he had inherited some German efficiency by literally using all body parts at his disposal!! Even the opposition had to laugh as the referee blew his whistle and signalled a first Terrapinn win in 4matches – 6-2 the final result!

It was a well organised display with a lot of positives and most importantly the elusive first win…only 7 more wins to go!! Andy held up the ball well on numerous occasions and wasn’t greedy in front of goals whilst also getting on the score sheet himself making him this week’s man of the match!

Watch this space Terrapinno’s…There may be a lot of ups and downs left this season!