DRM v Mets3 FC Match Summary

This was our first friendly game after a 7 week long hiatus. Most of us had barely run more than a few metres let alone touch a football so this was always going to be a real challenge. The one thing we had on our side was absolute numbers! 21 of us turned up for one of the best attended game so far, and in a way it was like a reunion of sorts. The starting 11 managed to sort itself out eventually as we decided on the first come first serve ruling, though a certain Ahadnan 'Mr First 11' had to start obviously!

We also gave a debut start to new DRM signing Pachie, who showed a few glimpses of his Stevie-G-esque skills during the game itself, whilst Yamin and One Tabang returned from their loan spells looking like better players having obviously picked up the best of the British game. One Tabang in particular looked as if he could've had one of the opponents for breakfast, and is fast looking like the ideal long-term replacement for our chief henchman, Adi Tabang.

Our opponents, young Mechnical Eng. Trainees from the brunei Shell Learning Centre down the road, had the advantage of pace and skill, but the heart belonged to those in the yellow and green of DRM Brazil. We played good passing football and there were several chances to score even in the first fifteen minutes. A slip up in defense led to us leaking the first goal however, a long ball from midfield went over our entire defense who maybe were caught out trying to pull off the offside trap, and the Mets3 striker had no problem finishing from close range. Still we pushed on, and despite the fact that in the first half the pitch conditions favoured Mets3 (the side we were attacking was water-logged!) we managed to score an equaliser. Aizul who was playing in his favoured free role managed to confuse their two centrebacks, by playing a short feint which allowed him to set Hj Zul up on the left for a free run into the penalty area. And when the Snake has his sights set on goal, there really is no stopping him. Debutant Pachie had a few chances on goal, but failed to deliver the goods (note: we commend his effort though) whilst 'Fancy Dan' Khai looked a bit heavy on the feet and wasn't able to perform at his usually high standards.

Mets3 scored their second and the winning goal just before half time, taking advantage of the fact that we had just put on 3 subs which unsettled the team somewhat. The second half saw a completely new DRM team being fielded and we went for that equaliser which based on our first half performance we at the very least deserved. Luck wasn't on our side though and as the game went on the grip we had on ball possession slowly slipped away. The half wasn't without it's fair share of near misses though, Saiful Bulan was set up on the right and he managed to lose both their centre-back and left-back to leave himself free for a pop on goal which the keeper barely palmed away. Our best chance to equalise came when a free-kick was won just outside the penalty area, Fakhrul our very own dead ball expert stepped up to take but was quickly over-ruled by a confident-looking Vince, who despite the talk, only managed to shoot weakly at goal! That's the last we'll see of his free-kick exploits reckons the DRM manager!

Although the match ended against us, there are signs that this team is slowly coming together again. We showed plenty of team spirit and this one was definitely for the guys who celebrated their 10 year work anniversary!