After last week’s traveling debacle, Mysterious Maniam scheduled this fixture at the familiar Kampung Pandan Sports Complex. Not a venue known for having pristine pitch conditions, but at least RMMers were guaranteed a game in a decent location.
After a tough encounter with bogey team Melwood FC last week, RMM were paired with local rivals James’ Team (JT) this week. Given the history between both teams (derby matches between RMM and JT has always been edgy), this was going to be a battle as well.
As with the previous week, RMM again started with only a squad of 11. Whilst last week’s team featured RMMs resident speedsters, this week’s team had a different look to it, with ‘experience’ replacing speed. This was most evident with the inclusion of the not-exactly-very-fast-but-quite-old Speedy to replace Flash That on the right flank. Experience also came in the form of a guest experience of Gnasher Abdullah, an ex RMM from the days of old, re-known for his temper and powerful shots.
Missing in action was Nitro and Partyman Eddie who were spotted cruising along the highway minutes before the game.
The defense had a major facelift as well as Shark reverted back to keeping goal. The only defender from last week’s game was SiYeh, who was partnered by part time footballer, Singapore Sling Danny. Zig Zack started on the left back position with Gnasher Abdullah filling in on the right back slot.
In the middle of the park, the familiar partnership of Iceman and Guvnor was in place whilst Red Devil Meng stepped up to the left flank from his regular left back position. The experience Speedy (who just celebrated his 62nd birthday last week) was given the freedom of the right flank.
Upfront, it was the regular very large and quite round pairing of Superstar Batigol and Mat Burit.
The re-shuffled RMM pack took some time to gel as JT dominated during the first few minutes forcing a few freekicks from dangerous areas around the RMM box. Fortunately for RMM, Shark was able to smartly repel the free kicks with minimum fuss.
The veterans of RMM then started to claw their way back into the game, evening up the balance of play. JT however, still looked dangerous on the break and on one such occasion, they nearly opened the scoring.
JT’s Ronald McDonald (who looks more like Hamburglar actually!) delicately chipped a through ball right through the middle of RMMs static defense into the path of an on-rushing team mate just outside the RMM box. The ever alert Shark immediately rushed out to clear the danger but only managed an air kick, leaving the JT striker with a run into the empty net. Fortunately for RMM, the snarling Gnasher Abdullah charge unsettled the JT striker enough to put him off his shot, as he blazed it over the RMM bar.
RMM responded almost immediately when Mat Burit managed to control the ball under heavy pressure from the JT backline before laying off to his strike partner, Batigol. RMMs superstar needed no second invitation and let fly a screamer from outside the JT box for RMMs first goal.
The battle hardened veterans of RMM then took control of the game as Guvnor came close with a few headers from set pieces.
The backline also found some consistency although Gnasher tried his best to make things interesting with his powerful clearances that clears the best part of 3 meters.
RMM then had a great opportunity to stretch it’s lead when the powerful Batigol broke through on the right before dragging the ball invitingly across the JT goal. The rotund Mat Burit sprang into action at the far post but only managed to slide the ball into the side netting from 2 yards out.
The miss (and to a lesser extend, the incoming thunderstorm) was so bad that the referee decided to end the first half early.
Both teams were treated to a front seat view of a tropical thunderstorm during the break, with wind and rain lashing in from all angles, submerging more then 75% of the pitch. The weather Gods even threw in a lightning bolt that struck the post that Shark was previously guarding for good measure.
When the rain finally subsided, the match officials decided to continue the game.
With the pitch half submerged, Shark decided he rather keep himself clean and stayed in goal. Mat Burit had the same view but took extreme action by deciding to go home instead. Fortunately for RMM, Blindman Poon had arrived with the thunderstorm and was able to replace the misfiring hitman.
The veterans from RMM proved to be poor at water polo as JT quickly took control of the game. Winning a free kick in a dangerous position on RMMs right, the JT midfielder punted the ball into a puddle right on RMMs six yard box. The result was 3 JT players and the lone Shark diving into the puddle all at once. Fortunately for RMM, Shark emerged from the murky waters with the ball safely in his hands.
With his plans of staying clean in tatters, Shark was now in danger of going down with hyperthermia due to his wet gear.
By now, the JT players had taken almost full control of the game with RMMers finding it difficult to swim and play football at the same time. Unable to effectively clear their lines, the RMM defense was under constant pressure.
Gnasher’s renowned clearances failed him as he was caught time and again by the pacey JT right winger. Hence, it was no surprise when one of those occasions led to JT’s equalizer.
Caught in possession and isolated, Gnasher Abdullah can only watch as the pacey JT winger flew down the right wing before unleashing a powerful shot that skimmed over a few puddles before squirming under the falling Shark.
The score was 1 a piece and with RMM struggling to adapt with the pitch conditions, it wasn’t looking good for the wily veterans.
Bogged down and half drowning, RMMs attacks were limited to set pieces and occasional runs from the recently introduced Blindman Poon.
Against the run of play however, RMM managed to take the lead again. Battling hard against nature and opponents, Batigol managed to squeeze in a shot towards the JT goal. Unfortunately for JT, the shot hot a defender on the hand, right inside the box. The referee had no choice but to award RMM a barely deserved penalty.
Given the rash of misses from the spot over the past few weeks, Guvnor decided to take matters into his own hands (in this case, his right leg) and nominated himself before proceeding to coolly slot past the JT keeper.
RMM then defended it’s 1 goal lead resolutely for the remainder of the game, throwing bodies into puddles and powering clearances from pools.
When the final whistle came, RMMs desperate rear guard action was evident for all to see as the partially submerged pitch had almost dried up from all the sliding and kicking.
Whilst the quality was not there, RMM could be well satisfied with the result of this hard fought victory.
Venue: Kampung Pandan Sports Complex
Starting Line Up: Shark, Zig Zack, SiYeh, Singapore Sling Danny, Gnasher Abdullah, Red Devil Meng, , Guvnor, Iceman, Speedy, Batigol, Mat Burit
Subs: Blindman Poon
Scorers: Batigol, Guvnor
