Match Preview: How Much Do You Want It?

Ztec Griffins vs Frontliners 300

Date: 17 Feb (Tuesday)
Face-off time: 7.45pm
Venue: Dalat International School

With both teams losing their first game and subsequently winning their second, it's all or nothing in this crucial match for Griffins and 300.

Griffins who recently defeated the fiery Firebrands is walking tall now. Although they've won their previous match, they still have certain wires to fine-tuned. One of which is their constant poor start in each game. In previous games, Griffins seem to enter the court without the hunger to win. Coach Oliver and Jo-wyee will need to look into this issue if they want their team to enter the court with the kind of audacity that will scare their opponents, something has got to change.

300, seemingly the less threatening team in the league, has proven otherwise. A team known for its passion and its 'go-all-out' attitude in a game, they definitely stand a chance to turn things around. However, passion alone can only take one so far. Their lack of experience -- consisting of mainly new floorball players -- may be their "kryptonite". Coach Jason will need to organize his players in a way that they will be able to contain Griffins while at the same time hurl some dangers into their hot zone.

By the initial look at both teams, Griffins seem to have an advantage over 300. However, news has it that Griffins will be without their first choice goalkeeper and captain, Leo Nard. Amos, their forward has been scheduled to play at the other end of his own half as keeper in this match. The Pundits have not seen him in this position, thus, it's hard to tell how he will perform. However, if he is new, chances are that he will be very shaky in front of goal. Tending a floorball goalpost on your knees can be quite a task to accomplish for any new player.

Griffins, however, do have a slight advantage in terms of their up field players. With that lanky defender, Gim Hoong, in defense, it will be a hard defensive line to penetrate for 300. Griffins have relatively well-built players. Having said that, most of the players are not fully aware of how they body-check, and more often than not, they give away a foul. Although 300 may lack size, their adamant and never-say-die spirit may be their greatest asset yet. However, sometimes 300 may get a little too excited and over their heads, leaving a room full of errors. Their eagerness and precipitation could be the cause of their own defeat. Mikey, 300 centre, will need to learn to command his team to play with passion AND intelligence.

With both teams wanting a desperate win, expect loads of shooting, may not be the most accurate of shots but it will worth the effort. Expect loads of screaming from the coaches - Coach Jason guiding the Spartans while Coach Oliver overseeing the Phoenix. Fouls will be committed for sure, it's just a matter of how frequent. We reckon loads of slashing, the usual.

All in all, both teams have its pros and cons.
Both teams want to win, we all know that.
So, it's really not a matter of what you want in this game,
It all boils down to how much you want it.

Key Players:
Ztec Griffins:
A reliable source suggests that Griffins will be without their top keeper and Capt Leo Nard. In this darkest hour, better players such as Gim Hoong will need to step up and take on the mantle.

If Griffin really wants to get something out of this game, this pacey defender will have to recapture that tenacity and drive which caught the panel's eye during the match against Phoenix. With the vulnerability of the goal behind him, his role in defense is ever more so crucial. Goal scoring will have to come in last. Can he withstand the pressure?

Frontliners 300:
Michael Cheah. The centre has been on top form in both games, by far the best player in the tournament going into this game. He will once again be looked upon to keep 300 organised and to lead the attacking line. There is no indication that this boy is going to halt his good goal scoring run.

He might find it harder to score this time around with an in-form goalie as his nemesis. However, he may have what it takes to slice their defence line like hot knife over butter if the Griffins defenders go zombie again.

Predictions:
Bendy:
Both teams came out with a win from the last match, 300 with battling displays and convincing fashion; while Griffins barely scrap through undeservedly.

There will be battles both up and down, 300’s on song forwards vs in form goalie Leo Nard; Griffins hard runner forwards vs 300’s weaker defenders. It seems an even match up as both secured wins in the last game but 300 came out more convincingly while Griffins scrap through with a series of power plays and a late winner.

Both teams are almost the same in the way that they are powered by a few talented individuals, how they perform with directly influence the out come of the game. Against the same coach that drilled the stubborn Firebrands, expect the same stubbornness form 300 and I don't see the Griffins matching their wits, so I’m going for a win for 300, a 2 to 3 goal margin.

Jose:
So far, my predictions have been quite accurate. Hopefully, I'll be able to continue my good run of form. For this match, I would go for 300 to win by at least 3 goals or more. It will comes down to how Ztec Griffins choose to play their game. In my opinion, if they choose to play an offensive game play, they might be in trouble as they do not have enough fire power to get up front to trouble the Frontliners defenders leaving lots of room for people like Mekanath and Mike to get up front get the goals for 300.

However, I think the best way for Ztec Griffins to have any chance of winning in to sit back and play tight and try to hit 300 on a counter attack AND also deploy a man to man marking for Mike and Mekanath. These 2 will be the biggest threats to the Griffins chance of snatching victory from 300. If they can sit back and frustrate 300, I believe that my predictions will go out of the window. But on a more serious note, I believe nerves and inexperience will cost Griffins this match.

Spritzer:
Loads of attacking on both ends I reckon. I'm going for a win for 300.

Overall, they have better key players who have been consistently performing up to par, might I add, even better than expected. It will be a test of mental strength as well, in which I feel, Griffins are lacking of. What more with the absense of their captain and first choice keeper, it will truly be a test for tem. If 300 can come on court with a bang from the start, chances are they will grab the win. Then again, Griffins came crawling back from a 1-0 scoreline to win it with a 2-1 scoreline against Firebrands in their previous match.

3-1 win for 300.