Both teams has matured since last time, as there were no rash challenges and somehow there is lack of attacking flair, uncharacteristically of especially Samba. This match has an air of stability, and neither team wants to lose this one. An injury to regular Samba goalie Shugan sees the debut of the supposedly retired Min Jie aka The Wall. The luminous yellow jerseys of Samba may somehow look irritating to some, but they sure mean business. Saints like usual relies on the quick running of Prem and the industry of Agni. Both teams has their fair of chances but the lack of penetration is showing. The match itself was a bit dull, with only some hopeful punts and wayward passes up front, though the match has its fair share of some showboating. Distracted by the sight of the looming Gajaen, Min Jie wasn't able to properly catch Agni's seemingly innocent punt from an out-ball position. Another cheeky goal from the deserving Agni. First blood to Saints. The match ended with a solitary Saints goal, and their first 3 points of the season. Things are on the up for Saints FC. As for Le Samba, another enjoyable football weekend,and maybe not their luck this time around.
2. boogis (Ganesan OG 18', Dalvin 20') 2-1 chittapa (Arulkanesh 10')
So the clash of the titans has begun, and Chittapa were firing on all cylinders. Boogis had most of the upper hand, but both teams were still lacking that spark in the midfield. Dalvin is no stranger to set pieces and long shots, as one of his hopeful shots has stinged Chittapa's keeper more than once. Suddenly from the defense, Arulkanesh broke through and sent a low shot just enough to beat Boogis' Paan. The boys in yellow were starting to believing. Boogis sent in fresh legs in the second half, and with captain Aman marshaling the defense, the guys up front were given free reign to attack. A defensive mix up at the back ended in Ganesan scoring an own goal. And so the comeback story has begun. After waves and waves of attacks, a needless sliding tackle by Brahma has given Boogis one final shot at the goal from a free kick. Up steps Dalvin and Arul the keeper couldnt stop his shot from blitzing in. All in a days hard work for Boogis, as training mates Chittapa were left wondering how could they end the game pointless. Boogis a bit rusty, but Chittapa are looking more solid now.
3. bukit tinggi (Yan 9',Rafiq 10') 2-1 gastro (Dinie 1')
On this game, Gastro saw the debuts of Dinie, Fareez and journeyman Jivan. With a solid looking squad on paper, this looks like 3 points already in their hands. But then BT came and spoiled their party. Dinie was given a dream debut with a fine goal (though it was not recorded on tape, to the dismay of the former Copa custodian). Gastro looked all out attacking, and BT did well absorbing all their attacks, until a breakthrough came from a clearance of a Gastro corner kick. Yan raced forward and from a fine return ball from Mate, the handball captain scored BT's first goal in RFL. Gastro were stunned, and the boys in black were starting to roar back. Which they did. The second half started strongly and from a confusing moment from Qye and Naqqib, Rafiq blasted BT's second goal past a bewildered Jivan. Apparently at home, hunting animals were easier than this. BT looked alive now, with Mizi and Mate bossing the midfield, Gastro's Qye could only muster some hopeful shots on goal, which BT's keeper Timmy dealt with comfortably. BT started the season with a bang, and Gastro could only think of how they were defeated in the bus.
4. dnc (Avi 1',2',3',8',Harikrish 2',Nasri OG 6',Lavan 7', Thiva 9') 8-0 akula
I ran out of space to type the goals scored! But then again, this was futsal at its best. My trusty mole told me earlier that DNC was having a crisis, players injured blablabla and this is what happened. Gotta get myself a new mole. Akula at first looked like an exciting bunch of players, but indeed, DNC's superiority was telling. How many times has people said about big men with good feet. Balinder and co plays the ball like it was their first date, caressing it with their feet and kicking it majestically at will. Akula had no answers to their play, though Palong had a nice shot saved by Rajdave. Avinesh with 4 goals should be the star of the team, alas, this was a team's work. The sneaky and cunning Yumnesh with the most crucial of passes, the ability of mustachioed army man Hari defending the goal,and king singh Rajdave between the posts, DNC looks almost complete. The loss of Akula's Azzam shouldnt really be an issue, as Akula actually looked decent on paper. C.RonalDOL and S.Nasri didnt really played up to their billing, as they even collided when chasing the ball. Thiva, Lavan and Hari had their name on the score sheet, and what a start for them. A nightmare of a game for Akula, as the sharkboys waits patiently for their next opponents, the playful Gastros.
5. copa (Nabil 19') 1-1 spartans (Kumar 20')
Gone was the fluid attacking Copa, and in with the new signings. Boo and Alep was recruited from defunct RFL Champions G15, with Nasaei and Faiz the other transfers. Unsettled striker Nabil has been made stand-in skipper in place of regular captain, Shazli. Spartans showed they will not surrender all points without fighting, and with the impressive Faizal in their goal, RFL teams might have to try a little harder to penetrate his goal. The ever feisty Ganesh K was given a yellow card for a dangerously timed sliding tackle. Shazli and Shafiq looked uncomfortable at the back, and the pedestrian Faiz was no different either. At times found wanting, Nabil had to be content with hopeful punts up front and the tireless running of Alep. The hardworking and backtracking Alep had more than once bailed Copa out of jail with his timely interceptions. Nasaei showed some class, but his game was a bit off that day. Satish, Kumar and co were highly spirited, and the cheering from the crowd increased their tempo. Finally Copa's Nabil broke the deadlock from Shazli's rebounded shot, after some nice interplay of passes. Copa's Boo however couldnt handle Satish's powerful shot and in came the opportunistic Kumar to settle the game at 1-1. Spartans can rest at home easily, as Copa has lots of homework to do in order to win this seasons' RFL.
6. GM (Afiq 8', Che Pooh 18') 2-3 DK (Arasan 6', Lawrence 11', Damo 14')
GM was without the dynamic duo of Puyi and Nwar, but life still goes on nonetheless. Newbie Akmal was signed, together with Boogis's Che Pooh and G15's Awe. The game started well, and the floodgates were opened with Arasan's opportunistic try, giving DK the lead. GM responded well with a classic Afiq goal. DK's Samuel and Damo did well, starving Awe and Afiq of supplies from the midfield. Lawrence "the Beckham" fired an unstoppable shot with Pok We well beaten. Cue a goal of the night contender. Both teams did well attacking and defending. No one can go through Damo this night, being solid as a rock. Rather fittingly, Damo burst through the left flank and fired a nice clean shot which took the GM keeper by surprise. The married men were not prepared to give up however, as they rallied the troops and kept on attacking. Awe was becoming livelier though he could not find the net, frustrated by the agility of the impressive DK goalie. Che Pooh in the end finished a nice set of interplay of GM passing, although it was far too late for a comeback. This looked like a strong capable team De Knights, and GM were left reflecting the need for more fire up front and a stable defense.
