Contact Bullets vs Ztec Griffins
4-3(3-2, 1-1)
4-3(3-2, 1-1)
First Period:
0901 1-0 Ian Khor
0929 1-1 Amos Lim ( Yi Min )
1308 1-2 Amos Lim ( Amelia )
1328 2-2 Isaac Ng
1419 3-2 Ian Khor ( Sheryn Ng)
Second Period:
2202 3-3 Amos Lim
3036 4-3 Isaac Ang
Bench Penalties:
Contact Bullets 2mins x 4
Ztec Griffins 2mins x 2
This fixture was a crucial match for Contact Bullets as a win over Ztec Griffins was necessary to allow them to have any chance of getting the silver medal. Against a moody Ztec Griffins, it was a blur what kind of challenge and opponent Bullets was going to face.
They soon found out.
The match faced off with both teams eager to draw first blood. It was end to end action from both sides. Amos, Ztec Griffins' Energizer Bunny was fully charged for the night, his persistent running, going for every ball created problems for Bullets who were still finding their feet in the opening minutes.
Amos's effort earn them a penalty shot when Kim Beng, Bullets' unlucky defender was spotted playing inside the crease. But Gim Hoong who was assigned for the task couldn't convert it. An early scare for Bullets.
Griffins were soon buried in regret for that penalty miss as their forwards effort seemed fruitless. To make things worse, Bullet surprised them with a bite at goal as Don dispatched a neat pass down the flanks to a running Isaac Ng who was in a tight angle, crossed the ball towards goal, finding Ian who coolly converted it.
1-0 to Bullets who have suck in all the pressure by Griffins and hit them hard on the counter.
Nevertheless, Amos continued to lead Griffins. This time, their hard work paid off.
Bullets were found guilty for an incorrect kick, conceding a dangerous free hit just outside the crease and Amos who was quick on the spot, powered it directly towards the goal driving it past an unprepared wall, equalising the scoreline.
1-1.
The boy took full advantage of a confused defence who were slow to form a wall.
Celebration was soon cut short when the equalising hero, Amos, was sent off for a lying play. The goal must have gotten to his head.
However, the wasteful Bullets who could penetrate with an extra man advantage find themselves with the same fate as Griffins when Sheryn, who was slow to avoid a quick free hit taken by Griffins, was sent to the bench for incorrect distance.
Griffins wasn't ready to let the chance pass them as they torment Bullets with shots but Bullets was equal to the task and kept them out. But not for long. Amos, once again was spot on to received Amelia pass the down the left, he unleashed his shot.
Goal.
1-2.
Griffins were on the lead.
The goal seemed to be a wake up call to the trailing Bullets, who were by far superior in all areas but struggling in finding their rhythm. Almost immediately after Amos's goal, Isaac Ng forced Brandon into a mistake as his clearance found its way to Isaac Ng, and without a second invitation, the boy drifted in towards the shooting zone, buried a lethal wrist shot past Leo Nard.
2-2.
Bullets were back again.
Riding on their momentum, possession shifted and it was now Bullets who were in control and they quickly added another to the scoreline. Sheryn, receiving a pass from her defence, launched a counter. Seeing Ian who was zooming up for support, she laid off a nice pass for the forward who didn't disappoint, slotting home a cool finish past a helpless Leo Nard. Bullets, oozing with confidence after the equaliser, showed great movement in opening up the Griffins defence.
Nice play.
3-2 going into the half.
What an unlucky start for the Bullets seconds after the restart with their key defender, Don, sent off for incorrect distance. A huge setback for Bullets who crawlled their way back in the first period but now having to defend their slim lead with one man down so early into the half.
There was certainly no change in Griffins' game plan after the break as they came out raring to go. Taking advantage of the power play, Griffins came close in numerous occasions. Brandon, now a regular free hit taker for the team, keeps powering his shots wide and high; Yuh Ting came the closest when a searching cross court pass found her, only for her finishing to deny her a goal as the shot was direct onto the keeper chest, an easy save.
Both camps were counting the seconds, the two minutes was almost up, Don was ready to come back in. The precipitating Amos, once again, sprung out from the left, dribbling past Bullets defender and then fired the ball. Awkwardly, the shot that seemed like a miss hit, miraculously crept through the keepers leg and into the net.
3-3.
Bullets 3, Amos 3.
A hattrick.
Definitely a huge blow to Bullets who held on almost to the end but only to be undone by a lapse of concentration. A brilliant run and a fluke goal.
Luck can be a harsh thing.
The agony was almost relief when Sheryn, wandering unmarked in the centre received a pass, but missed by just a fraction. Griffins survived.
The game was getting more balanced out with both teams hitting out on each other. Bullets looked the fancier side with their slick movements and passing but often without an end product. While Griffins, with Amos off steam, sat back deep looking to hit Bullets on the counter.
Then came the most feared curse of Div 2 - the incorrect distance foul.
This time, it was Griffins' Gim Hoong who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. With their key man out of the frame, Griffins was helpless in stopping the rampant Bullets.
Isaac Ang was first to react, getting hold of a loose ball downt he right, a swift turn into the middle and before the charging defender managed to close him down, the boy's release his shot pass the keeper.
4-3.
Bullets are ahead.
Griffins are now to chase the leader. And like any other game, they reacted positively every time they trail in a game. They pressed on.
Amos almost became the saviour for the forth time in the game when his low shot almost, for the second time, went through the keeper's legs. Brandon, with his free hit forced Bullets' keeper a few saves as well and caused havoc in front of goal too. Gim Hoong once again pushed forward in the dying minutes, shooting at will. All this to no avail.
Final score, 4-3.
A nail bitting experience but nevertheless a sweet victory for Bullets who are now surely in for a medal.
Shouts of joy and relief were heard as Contact Bullets managed to get a win which would secure them 2nd place if Ztec Phoenix were to defeat Frontliners 300. It will now be up to Ztec Phoenix to decide on how the table will look like this coming Saturday(14th Mar). The league is coming to an end and the excitement and competition is getting more and more intense.
Will Frontliners 300 be able to defeat the so far undefeated Phoenix?
Will Mikey be able to find a way pass the experience Yung Ming?
We shall see.
Contact Bullets:
This match clearly shows why Contact are one of the most organized teams in Penang. Some of the movement and play up were superb tonight. There were some nice exchanges between top and bottom; several penetrative plays amongst the forwards. Definitely a well trained team. Having the State coach as their mentor, they should be!
Defensive wise, maybe they could have done better with the free hit, but there other two were scored by Griffins through sheer pace and strength, nothing much the young Bullets can do about.
Technically and tactically superior than all the other teams in Div 2. Bullets only concern is consistency. These young players, who at times show much potential can also show a lot of inconsistency in their individual play as well. Tonight, Bullets were able to produced the goods to secure them the victory. Next time? Hmmm...
MoM:
Lim Khai Sheng.
This boy showed why he is one of the best defenders in the league together with his partner, Don Shakir.
Both had an impressive game against Ztec Griffins. But tonight, it was Khai Sheng who outshined his partner.
The boy showed great composure in stopping every attack that was coming his way. Move the ball intelligently around the court and basically produced a flawless display in defence for Contact Bullets in this match. At such a young age, he will have a bright future in floorball if he continues to progress at this rate. Impressive stuff!
Ztec Griffins:
Ztec Griffins is still a very young team. There is nothing technical nor tactical to discuss about the team. However, Griffins has, at times shown tremendous courage going all out in giving their opponents a hard time on court.
Bullets definitely got a scare playing against Griffins tonight, equalising twice. However, their speed couldn't match up with their finishing as the latter let them down in several occasions. Other than that, they have no other option to penetrate the defence.
So, next up in their syllabus, techniques.
Passing, shooting and ball control.
MoM:
Amos Lim. He ran the show from start to end giving his all for his team as if he was playing contact all by himself.
His constant high forechecking gave defenders a hard time as he never loses heart in getting the ball back for the team.
Though he does not possess good ball control, but he shows plenty of energy on court be it going forward or in defence. He is everywhere! Though in a high level game, it can be a good thing and also a bad thing as you are not required to run all over the place.
Nevertheless, he impressed throughout the game as was like a man on a solo mission and in the end, gotten himself a hatrick. He's an Energizer Bunny with limitless battery. One to be mould for the future.
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