RMM 4 Greenies 2

With players back from holidays, suspensions, injuries and a general lack of interest, RMM actually had a semblance of a squad with @ least 2 subs available for this Maniam’s League fixture.

Playing Greenies for the first time, RMM were also looking to continue a good run of form in the League that will keep the veterans near the top of the table.

The early signs were good for RMM as they welcomed back the travelling Beng Koh into the squad. The ever (un)reliable Aeroplane King anchored the defense rotating with Siyeh and Danny. Complemented by Snake and Red Devil Meng on the sides, the back 4 looked every bit like a slow but solid unit.

Shark who was itching to show off his new Nike Tiempo boots after signing a mega blockbuster deal with the sportswear giant started the game in goal again. The thousands of RMM fans that packed the venue were hoping that with these new boots, the giant keeper’s goalkicks will finally be able to clear his own penalty box.

The usual duo of Guvnor and Iceman powered the engine room with Hardman Joe back in the team running the right flank. Speedy also signed a mega deal this week, penning a deal with the Togo FA to don their bandana. He also adopted the name Speedibayor for the game and completed the quartet on the left flank.

Upfront, RMMs deadliest duo of Flash That and Superstar Batigol led the line with an awesome combination of lightning speed and awesome power.

Seasoned observers would have noticed by now that the RMM warm up sessions are a spectacle in itself. There are 2 RMM teams that turns up for these warm up sessions.

There is the team that would absolutely bamboozle everyone in attendance with their intense power and accuracy. This team will leave the keepers in awe of all the goal bound shots that would absolutely burn their palms if they attempted to stop any of them. In most instances, this form will most likely not be replicated during the real game.

Then there is the other team that will send the balls high into the stands or nearby building roofs without ever troubling the keeper. In most instances here, this form will most likely be replicated during the real game.

Either way, these warm up sessions seem to be working for RMM as the pumped up RMMers have started all their recent games strongly. This week was no exception as RMM started on the front foot pressuring Greenies early on.

It was no surprise then when RMM took the lead early on with Guvnor lashing home a first timer from Hardman Joe’s low cross on the right.

RMM were cruising and an afternoon stroll for RMM looks on the card when Greenies shocked everyone with the equalizer against the run of play.

Breaking from the left, Greenies found acres of space left vacant by Snake who had ventured way up field looking for field mice. Aeroplane King Beng Koh managed to glide in to cover that space but was in turn left exposed when the Geenies played the ball across to the left. The onrushing Greenie striker unleashed a shot that ricocheted around the box before hitting the back of the RMM net.

1-1 and Shark hasn’t even used his spanking new boots yet.

RMM got back down to business and took the lead again through Superstar Batigol. The ever industrious Hardman Joe played a superbly timed long ball to leave the onrushing RMM Superstar with an 1 on 1 situation with the Greenies keeper. The onrushing mammoth must have been a sight to behold as it left the keeper cowering on the floor. Superstar Batigol then walked the ball into the net. Cue the fist pumping, eye bulging celebrations.

Red Devil Meng then made a rampaging run that resulted in a superb effort that was just saved by the Greenies keeper. Loyal followers of RMM will know that this was indeed a rare sight.

RMM then took total control of the game and went further ahead when a speculative punt from Meng from the middle of the park was headed into the Greenies goal by a panicking Greenies defender.

In what is developing to be a disturbing pattern, RMM then again left the opponents with a back door into the game by conceding a 2nd goal just before halftime.

Failing to effectively clear a corner after Snake had headed the ball off the line, 3 on-rushing defenders RMM defenders were unable to stop the Greenie striker from unleashing a powerful shot on the turn at the edge of the box. Shark was seen throwing the considerable frame in a vain effort to stop the goal bound short.

3-2 at halftime and teacups were quietly hidden away by Mrs Beng Koh in case the halftime team talk got a bit heated.

Guvnor decided to continue playing Shark in goal to ensure solidity at the back. That was however nullified by his decision to play Nitro in the left back position.

RMM went out to completely boss the second half. The loss of Hardman Joe to a family function was covered by the introduction of Blindman Poon, who added more speed into the RMM offensive unit. Mat Burit added more guile to the unit as well.

Having said that, no RMM game will be complete without a having defensive lapse or two.

Nitro was the main culprit in this area. His under hit back pass to Shark was just a taste of what was to come. His foul throw will go down in RMM folklore. Sauntering up to prepare the throw in, instructions not to muck the throw in up flew at him from all direction. Yet, the result of that was… a foul throw.

Beng Koh also weighed in with his share of comic relief. Playing the Angry Mad Man, Beng Koh was seen throwing himself into challenges everywhere, instructing his team mates to get out of his way. At one point, he even verbally abused the ball after clearing it. The Mad Man act must have worked as everyone seems to have stayed away from him.

In between, the game got a bit tasty with niggly fouls and outright challenges all over the pitch. Many resulted on freekicks just outside the RMM box. As it turned out, none of the freekicks were threatening and those that were on target was easily dealt with by the very bored Shark – who also found out that his spanking new boots hadn’t helped with his goalkicks.

With the game still in the balance, Guvnor finally had enough of Nitro’s constant blunders and to the relief of everyone, replaced him with Speedibayor, who although half his size but is twice the defender.

RMM finally finished off the game with a typically flowing move. Guvnor scored his 2nd of the day when he powered home from cushioned pass by Mat Burit after some nifty footwork by Blindman Poon on the left.

With yet another high scoring win, RMM are now in a great position for a strong final push at the Championship…

Pixs courtesy of Mr and Mrs Beng Koh