Match Report: Gang Bintang vs Gracebandy! Co.

GANG BINTANG v. GRACEBANDY! CO

PERIOD 1

Time	Score	Goal	Assist	Penalty
5.26	0 - 1	#3Philip	#12
12.36	0 - 1			H17 Mohd Anuar (B2) Incorrect distance
17.39	0 - 2	#8Gerard	-

PERIOD 2

33.42	1 - 2	#8Khalid	-
36.51	2 - 2	#8Khalid	-
37.21	3 - 2	#3Daeng	#8Khalid

PERIOD 3

40.23	3 - 3	#6Dorcus	-
41.53	4 - 3	#15Rizal	#9Bob
43.47	5 - 3	#12Naim	-
46.53	5 - 3			H13Qayyum (B2) Too many players in rink
52.01	6 - 3	#3Daeng	-
55.06	7 - 3	#8Khalid	#6Jethro
18.05	8 - 3	#15Rizal	#9Bob

Shots on goal : P1 (10, 9); P2 (12, 9); P3 (15 , 6)

Match Commentary

The Match Preview made a forecast that this game will be one sided affair with Gang Bintang (GB) having a stroll in the park with the struggling Gracebandy! Co (Grace). How wrong was that!! Grace stepped into the rink absolutely with no fear. They were a determined lots playing with full confidence and organized themselves well in the court. Despite having much of the ball possession GB were not able to get any clear shot at goal with the Grace. Grace players displayed a very tight and disciplined defence. Grace players played with determination not to concede an early goal. Their success in holding up the GB players for up to 5 minutes of the early period draw applause from the spectator. At 5.26min #12Mervin made a clearance to the right of the rink passing the half line. This was “pushed” in by #3Philip towards the GB goal. Okay, from what was noticed, #3Philip can’t take a shot or he got quite a lousy shooting skill (hope I don’t get a defamation writ). Having saved some better shots earlier, GB goalie #11Illyaz let the ball slip pass his thighs. It was Grace who took the lead and draw cheers and applause from the spectators most of them are players of other team. GB don’t seem to be shaken up by the early goal they conceded. GB’s #15Rizal became more vociferous in commanding the team and GB continued to dominate the game. At 12.36min Grace got a free hit just in front of the GB’s goal post. At the same time GB’s #17Anuar got 2min bench penalty for incorrect distance. Guess who stepped up to take the free hit? #3 Philip!! I really thought he’s going to tap the ball to #5 Sheeda who was unmarked. In complete contrast, #3Philip flicked the ball over the GB wall for easy catch by #11Ilyaz. Grace were managed to get some shots at goal during the power play but they completely lack the tactical ability to punish GB duing the power play. GB was still having better possession of the ball with a man less. At 17.39min, #8Gerard got hold of a clearance from Grace goal somewhere in the middle of the court. He managed to make a drag shot with a quick turn. #8Gerard do surprise everyone once in a while with his shots. That was probably his best shot ever!! The ball zoomed to the left top corner of GB’s goal at actually got stuck there. It was definitely a super goal worth boasting here. Grace was leading by 2 goals against the defending champion. The spectators was awed by the Grace players performance. Other than Rascals, no other team has put GB in such pressure. The period ended with Grace players playing their heart out to stop every moves made by GB and they succeeded.

The second period started off with Grace coming out and determined not to concede any goal to the dominating GB. GB players made several shots at goal from the middle of the court. Credit also goes to Grace’s goalie #76Gilbert who made several instinctive safe and kept his clean sheet. #15Rizal appeared to be losing his cool with some of the tactical moves of his players and often heard screaming “Mamak! , Mamak!”. Can’t really say whom he was referring as the description fits quite a number of them. At 33.42 #8Khalid with his trademark dribbling managed to beat the Grace defenders and easily scored his first goal for the day. At 16.51 #8Khalid again overcome the Grace defence with his agility and speed to tie the game at 2 – 2. Both goals were scored by #8Khalid unassisted. Grace players seems to get tired and was not quick and aggressive as the earlier part of the game. GB after equaling the score appears to play more tactically and moved the ball well. At 37.21 #8Khalid made a decent cross in front of the Grace goal for the fast running #3Daeng connect to the ball and make a easy tap in. The period ended with GB taking the lead at 3 – 2.

The 3^rd period started at much slower pace with GB holding the ball and trying to build up from the back. One wrong pass was made up only to be intercepted and cleared by a Grace player. #6Dorcus was fast enough to reach to the clearance and flicked towards GB’s goal from a short distance. #11Illyaz was least expecting the ball and missed it completely. Grace got back to tie the game at 3 – 3. The spectators couldn’t resist but applause and cheer the Grace players for their surprising challenge they are throwing at GB. Everyone was expecting the unexpected. Grace winning against GB!! Grace’s players inexperience really got into them there on. GB stepped up their game speed with fast running #3Daeng and #8Khalid outplaying the Grace line. GB’s scoring spree started with their 4^th goal scored at 41.53min. Grace players tried their best to hold back GB’s assault but they grew tired too fast. Credit goes to #5Sheeda whom had been tirelessly running in defending and also creating goal scoring opportunity for Grace. The difference in the shots on goal explains it all. GB had 15 shots at goal compared to Grace’s 6 shots at goal. GB scored 4 more goals and won the game comfortably with a final score of 8 - 3. At the final whistle, Grace players looked dejected and worn out. GB on the other hand was happy that they survived another scary affair in the league.

CONCLUSION : Grace seriously need to get a proper coach to assist them in improving their skills, tactics and fitness level. Their determination and fighting spirit displayed in this game was awesome but that alone is not sufficient to win games. Floorball will be much more fun if you could win some games. As such effort need to but put in by the players to get a coach to guide them along. GB on the other hand is a team with loads of experience to name a few #8Khalid, #15Rizal, #11Illyaz, #6Jethro, #5Alissa & #7Aisyah. These are also players with good floorball skills. However the newer generation of their players are not up to their level. Some effort need to be put in to improve the level of their newer generation players. GB could perform much better if this imbalance is addressed.

Best Players : Khalid (GB) ; Gerard (Grace) (Wolud have picked Sheeda if not for the wonder goal by Gerard)

Referees : Gerrard, Phillip, Suresh