X-S FC 2 -1 HAWKS

X-S claimed an impressive win against favourites HAWKS with a stellar performance. The field was literally littered with stars in their own right, from the defence to the attack. Wei Liang in goal made countless saves and hardly put a foot wrong. He was named MOTM by the field warden, the highest honour in Social Football in Singapore on matchdays. Naqib and Ernest marshalled defence, flanked by Yong Liang who shut out their dangerous number 8 for the full 90mins and Jin, an attacking wingback who enjoys taking on players. Thaqif and Izz took to the wings as Shaun and Boon anchored midfield.

Yazid opened the scoring in the first minute with some wonderful hard pressing straight from kickoff. As HAWKS passed it back to their goalkeeper, Yazid closed him down and the clearance smacked his stomach before bouncing in. Unconvential goal, because scoring with your feet is too mainstream. Our hero then turned clutching his stomach in pain as he returned to the centre circle.

The game continued in this end-to-end fashion but HAWKS slowly grew in confidence as the X-S midfield started to tire out and all the attacking chances X-S had were spurned. A delightful lob by HAWKS' chief playmaker over the X-S defence then allowed their striker to sidefoot home just before half-time. All square at half time.

The second half saw Mat Nur come in to strengthen midfield as X-S reshuffled from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1 to increase the numbers in the middle of the park. Shah came in at right back and Nuri played at right midfield.

The game continued the same way it ended, with HAWKS on the front foot despite their Indian chief (playmaker) going home at half time. Thaqif then decided to punch his weight in midfield to stop their number 21 and he replaced Shaun. That was when the tide changed and Mat Nur started dictating play with Thaqif to tie up the loose ends. The breakthrough came with a delightful exchange of passes between Hafiz, Mat Nur and Nuri. Mat Nur lofted a first time lob over the static HAWKS defenders and Hafiz raced through before slotting home easily. Indeed, that man is scoring goals by the trolley loads like an aunty shopping for groceries with $300 worth of NTUC vouchers.

It is important to note that Jusdriano had made his return to the pitch with great success in the second half, linking up with Hafiz and taking on defenders the only way he knows how; strength and close control. Hafiz even had time to do a Messi as he outrun and outmuscled his way down the left flank before cutting in and being fouled. Of course had he taken a tumble and not shot, it could've been a penalty. An example of this blossoming partnership was when Jus raced to the byeline and pulled the ball back only for Hafiz to smack it against the upright. Could've been the final nail in the coffin.

With many players losing their legs, Yasin finally came in to last the final 10mins (according to the ref, but it felt like 100mins). He got himself a kick in the shin for all his troubles. After much time-wasting tactics by Izz, Mat Nur and Yasin, the final whistle came and blew us off our feet into sweet surrender. Except we lost one matchball. Le Sigh.