3-1: Battling Bears Bounce Back

Much can be said if you are coming into a match at the back of three straight losses. The Bears showed today they could do it and do it in style with their monumental first ever win in their 4 match history against Frozchatiq FC.

To add icing to the proverbial cake, it was the first ever goals that came during open play. Contributing to the weekend goal feast was our No. 77, Faris Fong, doing his best "Crouch" impersonation upfront, opening the floodgates half an hour into the first half with a simple tap in after good assist from "The Jenggo" from the left side of the pitch. The moment was savoured with squeals and hurrahs from the spectators stands (consisting of a grey bench made up mostly of WAGS, a set of parents and a child mascot kicking about on his own. Such was the grandiose of our support).

The Bears had a magnificent first half and tested the defence to the limits at times with some attacking endeavours. Only the lack of understanding and match sharpness prevented us from adding to the score line before the break.

The defence was marshalled superbly by Faizal, making his debut in central defence, and of course, Borhan, ever present to mark his man out of the game. Fariz, our on loan player for two games running now, sporting a "le Bleus" top was doing his part in the defensive midfield role, and seemingly possessed by the enterprising spirit of Makalele and the attacking prowess of Louis Saha on a good day. He further sealed the comfortable win with a brace in the second half, first coming off a superb turn and shoot move in the penalty box to beat rival custodian, Justin, God bless his soul, who appeared to have lost a little bit of concentration due to lack of inspiration following the torment at National Stadium earlier last week by our own Lucky 1. Little did they know their paths crossed on this fateful day to settle the score, and his juvenile antics in the middle of thousands that night to taunt him paid off. Clearly Justin was a little shaken by the experience he did not know what hit him. But credit to Justin, we salute you for having a wonderful game between the sticks, but being beaten by 3 superb goals which he cannot be possibly blamed for.

We had a major share of the attacking in the first half, with our midfield diamond of Jenggo in the middle and flanked by Peros on the right and A'an on the left, whilst all the while, Sher was holding the lower end of the formation. Hakim, as usual had a solid game in the left back slot, while credit goes to Firdaus for manning the right back slot with enough endeavour to keep the score line to our favour in the first half.

The Bears started the second half with a few changes in personnel to introduce fresh legs and add more firepower, but it seemed that the opponents came out with guns blazing with an equalizer early in the second half. We refused to throw in the stinking towel just yet, knowing that it is game we could possibly win. The opponents came close to taking the lead and had the heroics of our Lucky 1 to thank for, diving like he had never dived before to salvage the game with a fantastic one handed save to keep us in the game, even though we were starting to get on the back pedal. We had a slight setback when Sher, came off with cramps, but we managed to hold the fort until, late into the second half, when Fariz rescued the points with two goals in a space of three minutes, the second being a header from the near side of the post, which had the keeper fooled. Never had the three blows of the refree's whistle sounded so good in our lives.

Injury and Discipline update:
Watching from the stands, was our No. 23, Helmi, (hawking his cast with a $1.20 marker for autographs), back from injury but still 3 weeks away from full fitness to rejoin the fray. His presence seemed to lift the spirits of the battered bodies of the Bears who felt they had to win it today for him. On a more positive note, The Bears played a clean game of football and not a single unnecessary yellow was flashed, credit to Peros, who resisted tormenting opposition's keeper with his block during goal kick. Snigger. Firdaus seemed to have kept his baptism of fire in check for this game.

So that's that. Our man on the European trail, Tohari Paijan (he isn't even remotely related to the team or have any relations to us, although the we like to name drop him to add colour to the report. Eerrr.. keep up the good job Tohari P. You the MAN), couldn't give his assessment and analysis in time for upload so we are going ahead without him. yeah, like he gives a damn anyway.... All in all, we showed we were made of sterner stuff and showing promise of what is yet to come. Glory was the order of the day, so enjoy this victory while it lasts, gentlemen.

The future looks bright for the Bears. Keep on trucking! We are on our way.

Watch this space. Another win might just be in the cards.

Keep your fingers crossed for now.


Pltaw FC Starting IX ( 4-2-3-1)

GK : Farehan
RB : Firdaus (Wayne)
CB : Faizal
CB : Borhan
LB : Hakim (David)
DM : Sher (Jamal)
DM : Fariz
LM : Ahmad Farkhan
CM : Farhan Jenggo (Hakim)
RM : Peroz Masherano (Hidayat)
FW : Faris Crouch

Man Of The Match: Faizal