FlyBoys vs Empire

FLYBOYS 1 Kenny 35

Empire 4


1st HALF:
GK - Yanni
DF - Azman, Zul-Afiq, Julian, Hendra
MF - Hafizh, Amir, Hock(Dzulfadli), Syazwi
FW - Kenny, Zainoel

2nd HALF:
GK - Zul-Afiq
DF - Nasrul, Azman, Julian, Hendra
MF - Hafizh, Riduan, Ismail, Yanni
FW - Dzulfadli, Kenny


Pre-match Analysis:
Things aren't looking good here. Only 10 players have arrived and it's already 445pm, 15 minutes before kick-off. It's the 3rd match played in a week and everyone's knackered.
The opposition look like they don't have an ounce of fat on them meaning they'll be doing a lot of running and there's a strong chance we'll be doing a lot of chasing today.
But FlyBoys spirit will not be dampened. We have the return of our keeper, Yanni who has been busy flying.
Zul-Afiq, FlyBoys's 4th alternate keeper has been playing goalie the last 3 matches and is seen smiling up to his ears. Why you ask? Because he'll finally get to do some running as an outfield player today. The boy's looking keen and beckons everyone to warm-up to the pitch.
Finally Hafizh shows up and that makes it 11 so now we can all play. Hurrah.

Kick-Off:
FlyBoys in our red kit start the game whilst the Empire crew are all donning black. They look like they're wearing full SKINS gear complete with yellow side trim. They are looking menacing and we are looking scared. Is it because we have no subs on the bench? Absolutely.
Hock is playing in the 1st half and we all know he hasn't lasted a full half ever. One day he will though. Plus Amir has a recurring thigh injury so he can't possibly last the whole half either. Frequent glances to the grandstand for arriving subs come to no avail. We are on CMR fuel and the weather is looking shitty.

Our suspicions are confirmed. The opposition are running around like there's no tommorow especially that No 17 fella. Somebody chop his legs off. But nobody does. Because we can't reach him. Before we know it he's running circles around our defence and as a ball is cut through our defence, he comes in a flash and puts one past Yanni.

FLYBOYS 0 - EMPIRE 1

Oh no. These guys look hungry. I think they can see the fear in our eyes.
Despite the absence of Team Capt Hj Effendy on the pitch, Hafizh is doing well combining together with Syazwi and Hendra on the left flank. Hock is doing well on the right, chasing balls and supporting Julian. The only problem is there aren't many chances created. Amir is playing the midfield role but he is hobbling all over the pitch.

Yanni's crazy long goal-kicks are intercepted well by the defence although Kenny and Zainoel do their best to make life difficult for the Empire defenders. They seem to have this player, Number 20 who is holding the midfield well for them. He's not a big boy but he holds the ball well. A bit like our Jerry Joel who is off flying somewhere, no doubt trying to get through line training on the Bus fleet. We're missing his presence right now. I especially miss those awesome Ronaldo-like passes.

Another run from No 17 as he glides past our players and he is through and shoots a low stinger past Yanni. Unlucky for Yanni as it goes through his gloves.

FLYBOYS 0 - EMPIRE 2

FlyBoys are looking dejected but not to worry. We see Dzulfadly arriving. Hurrah, a substitute. Remember our Hendra who scored an own-goal a few months ago. Well this is a different Hendra who is seen playing one-two's with Hafizh and Syazwi and as he gallops up, he sees Kenny and plays a superb combination pass. In the box, Hendra releases a killer pass and Kenny runs through to goal and shoots past the keeper. It hits the post and then into the net.

FLYBOYS 1 - EMPIRE 2

Alright! We scored. We might just get back into the game. But our hopes quickly fade as the team wearing black SKINS take control of the game and put another one past us.

FLYBOYS 1 - EMPIRE 3

It's coming to half-time and Dzul replaces Hock. Well done, Hock the Hero. He may be slightly deficient in football stamina but he has plenty of heart and thats what we all look for in a FlyBoy.
Attitude determines your Altitude.

HALF-TIME:
The ref blows the whistle for half-time.
Good news. Nasrul, Ismail and Riduan are here. About bloody time. We're knackered.
Wtf have you guys been?!?


2nd HALF:
A pinch of salt, a change of personnel and FlyBoys walk back to the pitch hoping to make a comeback.
Amir, Syazwi and Zainoel are replaced and Nasrul slots back into his Vidic role. Zul-Afiq decides to take a breather and becomes goalie as Yanni reverts to CAT 1 Single only.
I mean he reverts to his role as winger just like when he was back in his old school days. Oh to be young again. Ismail takes on the left winger role and Dzul is leading the forward line with Kenny.

And they kick-off and at this point, i'm not really paying much attention to the game. We seem to have a bit of a fan club at the grand-stand and the idea of merchandising FlyBoys gear light up in my head.
Before i could see the cash registering, we've conceded another goal.

FLYBOYS 1 - EMPIRE 4

Oh dear, the scoreline is looking similar to the one at Old Trafford a few months back. I've had nightmares eversince. Will i be sleeping well tonight?

But after the 4th goal, the tide changed. The Empire crew are looking tired and weary. Azman is now playing the Makelele role with Nasrul as sweeper. It's looking promising because now we're playing like the real FlyBoys we know and love. For one we're keeping posession and two, we're passing better and creating more chances.

With Riduan in midfield, Hafizh is finding it easier to create passes and switch the play around. He finds Julian on the right and the boy with the dash of pace runs forward. Julie passes to Yanni and he in turn produces a quite magnificent cross into the box. Kenny towers over the defenders and cause havoc in the penalty box. But the ball is hooved away by the defence.

Hendra combines well with Riduan and he passes to Ismail. The winger makes a run and then squares it to Hafizh who shoots at goal. It's wide but we are now looking menacing.

Another wave of attack from FlyBoys sees Kenny produce a long distance low shot to the goalie, who saves it. The keeper kicks it high and long forward. Azman and an Empire striker are fighting to head the ball.
Can i just state that a funny moment occured here. The Empire guy jumped up and landed on Azman and for a good 5 seconds he found himself hanging helplessly on Azman's back with Azman standing on both feet. Okay that was weird but his girlfriend and Aainaa are laughing on the bench.

Yanni is creating a lot of chances with his sharp penetrating crosses and FlyBoys are passing well controlling the midfield. Yanni has a look at goal and drives one straight at the keeper. The shot is saved but we know the goalie's hands are in pain. What a shot!

Another wave of attack from FlyBoys sees Dzul dribble from the left side of the field and cuts into the defence but it's blocked by the Empire crew. Kenny has another pot shot at goal but again their keeper is in form. This is looking good. We're dominating posession, passing well and creating chances. All we need to do is score.

There was the odd counter-attack from Empire but Hendra, Julian and Nasrul marshalled the strikers easily. Zul-Afiq looks bored at the goal post but he gives plenty of vocal and moral support.

A few more chances by FlyBoys courtesy of Dzul, Kenny, Ismail and Hafizh but none are taken and so as darkness looms, the full-time whistle is blown and it's a graceful defeat for Team FlyBoys.


Post-Match Analysis:
We were pretty lacklustre in the 1st half but it was a game of two halves with us dominating possesion and chances in the 2nd. The scoreline was flattering for Empire and at best, we would've probably lost 4-3 or 4-2. But que sera sera, it is what it is.
Amir injured his thigh and discovered what Hematoma finally means and will be sidelined for at least 2 weeks. Julian also injured his knee and will be unavailable on Wednesday unless somehow he can heal quickly like Wolverine. Hendra was also injured and his status for the next game is uncertain.

Despite the defeat, FlyBoys stuck a finger up to Empire in the 2nd half and said,

" They may take our lives but they'll never take our freedom!".

Apakan.

- Written by Amir who will be sleeping well tonight.

ps. Next game is on Wednesday 15th July 2009. Be there because we don't have enough players.