HEART-earned victory for X-S.



X-S FC managed to secure a 3-1 victory over LHFC (i can't spell their names for my life), with plenty to spare. Key players such as Nizar, Amin, Muhsin and Huda and brothers just to name a few were missing due to personal commitments but Derek O'Leary showed Titty Duray that he's steering the club in the right direction. Despite that, we hope this victory is the first of many as the new management team settles down.


X-S started the match with just enough players as the Yong brothers were late. Daniel was as usual, fashionably late, this time with his supermodel girlfriend in tow and ciggies in hand. Let's see how O'Leary will handle this prima donna attitude. Ilhan Manqif was unavailable as he was detained for military purposes, but he was ably replaced by fellow Mayonian, Hafizo Quagliarella-ella-ella-ey-ey from under the umbrella-ella-ella-ey-ey. Ronaldinho was presumably out partying late and came late. Apparently, Bhai left him at their supposed metting place.

Hafizo and Bhai started up front. Klakar and Fabreyaz partnered in the middle of the park as WeeBecks and Thierry Nuri lined the wings. Lee W. Liang, brother of Korean Lee Woon Jae, took goal as he returned to the team after a considerable absence. In front of him was the indomitable Farrell Terry and dominating Eng Milito, who were flanked by ShahRaul and SissyNeo. The 2 wingbacks had been on intensive kicking training sessions and it showed in the match.


Early substitutions for X-S as Liango Carlos subbed fellow Brazilian SissyNeo and YongXiango Ronaldo took Becks' role. Becks' was out early due to a recurring knee injury. Could he be past his prime?

How could i forget the main man in the match, Mr IMH referee! He threatened the players even before the game started. He gave yellow cards to Bhai and Klakar, almost sending the latter off save for the timely interception of Captain Fabreyaz who talked the ref from bringin the game in disrepute and ShahRaul who violently pushed the referee away. Surprisingly, the ref was cool about it.

X-S had a shaky start as the opponents fancied their chances and went on the offensive. The defence had a few nervous moments but soon repelled everything thrown at them. Wei Liang was in imperious form and stood there commandingly. The ball hardly dropped into his area except once. Fabreyaz started winning every ball in the air and on the ground as he launched attack after attack. He even wasted a free-kick near the area. LHFC was barely hanging on as X-S attacked in droves. It was only a matter of time before they broke the deadlock. MOTM Klakar who was quiet up til then, ran at the LHFC defence and was brought down just outside the 6-yard box. Fabreyaz smashed the ball into the back of the net for his second goal in 2 games. They went into the break in the lead.


Second half started brightly as it was end-to-end stuff. However, Farrell made a mess of a simple clearance, deciding to dribble it out. He was pressured and passed the ball to an opposing striker. Liango took the man and the ball outside the box, but the referee confidently blew for a penalty. X-S players protested violently but Mr. IMH stood firm. LHFC goalkeeper barely got his shot under W. Liang's gloves as they equalised. It was time for X-S to prove their mettle.

X-S furiously pounded on the opponents goal but kudos to them for holding firm. Fabreyaz was quiet in this half but the same could not be said about Klakar. He was brought down again in the area, but the referee did not see it. A shot was cleared off the line as the score remained 1-1. Ali Ronaldinho and Sissyneo were combining brilliantly on the right flank. They crossed well and provided enough ammo for the attacks. Then, Daniel earned a free-kick on the left wing. Fabreyaz swung in a cross and in the midst of it all, the effervescent Klakar planted the ball into the net with a ferocious swing of the boot. 2-1 and -S were comfortable.

The match continued one-way and this time, Shahraul earned a free-kick from a similar spot as the last. Fabreyaz fancied his chances and boy was he unlucky as his brilliant effort struck the near post, with everyone rooted.

Soon after that however, a corner was poorly dealt with by LHFC and Hafizo capitalised with a shot on goal. Shahraul snatched that chance as he stomached the ball into goal (most unclassily). 3-1 and minutes later, the final whistle was blown. The referee was lucky to still be unhurt after all his dubious decisions and he continued annoying the X-S players. Goalkeeper W. Liang entertained him as the rest of the players enjoyed their much deserved victory.


PHOTOS:



A penalty that was not.







The pose, before the free-kick hit the post.








An IMH patient who seemingly resembles Nuri, imitates the ref and points to the spot.





Liango Ronaldo sends in a corner.