Game 2 Preview: vs Fallerenes

Date: Wednesday, 18th March 2009
Venue: Intramural Playing Field 3 (Closest to Rec Center)
Kick-off Time: 8:00pm (Chicanos at 7:00pm and Freshmen's Petronas also at 8:00pm)
Jersey: Malaysia 07/08 (Stripes)

Malay FC looks to keep the ball rolling from their previously impressive win over Pace Knights, this time at the expense of Fallerenes. Due to the odd number of teams in the group, this game is the first game for Fallerenes, which in and of itself renders pros and cons for Malay FC. The good news is Fallerenes has yet to gain match fitness and can prove to be a little less sharp opponents for Malay FC. On the flip side - as was the case with Pace Knights - none of us know their style of play or the level at which they're capable of playing. I'd love to judge from nomenclature, but nobody knows what in the world Fallerenes is. Hmm, mungkin chicanos.

However as always Malay FC go into this game with the mindset of sticking to the usual gameplan - protect the goal, play possession football, and pounce early. No injuries are reported so the same team is set to line up with only minor changes viz:

Hafiz

Dollah ----- Izwan ----- Amar

--- Shah --
-- Hasan (C) ---
Jerry ---------- Baba

Aniep

Subs: Nabil, Billy Joe, Nasir, Khairi, Afiq, Salman, Adre (?)

Raja Hasan the team captain is set to give Salman a deserved rest and start Aniep at his expense. The impressive Hafiz will continue in goal and seek out to close off one-on-one attacks at which he does best. As always the defence will be marshalled by Izwan tenang whose great positional sense allow for vital interceptions and break up of opposing attacks. Playing at right back is Dollah. With Amar on the opposite flank always looking to make vital overlapping runs to support the attack - a feat rewarded with Malay FC's first goal in the previous game. Playing in front of the defence is Shah who's box-to-box play, imposing physique, and a powerful left foot provide great value both in defence and offence. In the playmaking role will be Raja Hasan looking to strut out his creative talents to drive the team and make passes to unlock the opposing defence. Jerry as always will be looking to make his trademark solo runs from the right hand side of midfield. And on the opposite side is Baba with good ball control and a fearsome right foot making him the ideal player to cut in from the left and have a shot on goal. In the lone-striker role is Aniep able to trouble defences with his pace and well-timed runs along with clinical finishing.

The subs make up of Nabil (Center back/Full back) who's a player much in the mould of Izwan, close ball control and good positional sense. Another defensive player is Billy Joe (Full back) who's great recovery pace makes him a tough obstacle to beat for most wingers. Nasir's ability to make good tackles and a good passing range makes him a suitable replacement either in center back or as a defensive midfielder. Khairi is another player with exceptional technique allowing him to play in most positions centrally - either of a defensive midfielder, playmaker, or striker. Afiq possess tremendous pace and a good cross allowing him to replace any of the two wingers while Salman is another player with magnificent technique and a good pace able to play in the wings or centrally (playmaker or striker). Finally on the bench is Adre (?), a quick, skillful player who's most suitable on the wings.

The players

The fans

As was evident on the previous Sunday, Malay FC has every chance of doing well if everybody sticks to the game plan and play as a team - keeping good possession and closing out opposing offences starting from the striker and back. Should the team perform similarly on wednesday there is a good chance for another win. Kickoff is at 8:00pm with a reported high of 23 deg C and low of 8 deg C, i.e. it'll most likely be a nice day out so everyone is invited to come watch and have a good break from the heavy work loads (boleh beli bubble tea before datang juga, tak sure la dia tutup pukul berapa tapi, 7 maybe or something Wallahu'alam). Also playing tomorrow is Chica at 7:00pm and Petronas also at 8:00pm so everybody is welcomed as not only will your support be tremendous for the players, it's also a good way to fortify friendship ties in my humble opinion. Here's to a good turnout and a good game insyAllah.

Till tomorrow. Salam wrwb.

AZA

P/S: Kalau turun boleh masuk flickr rakan-rakan SLR kita Muhaimin, Awatif and Adil juga, which I thank them again for the persistence and effort. :)