Hilderinc Football Club

The purposeful progress of Hilderinc Twā gained valuable momentum on Sunday when they took on Dark Horse FC in the continuing Hilderinc Football Club Invitationals.

While playing on a wet and cool afternoon, a welcomed relief from the previous weeks of merciless heat, but the temperature was turned up for the Hilderincs before kickoff, as they were not afforded any allowance to achieve anything less than firm objectives for the game.

Having played their part in being their first side to turn up against the Sunday Hilderincs in the beginning of their current incarnation back in 2017, Dark Horse FC, were a carefully picked choice to spar, knowing that they will provide a fitting contest.

But having missed two clear guilt-edged chances in the opening minutes, the Blacks were given an early jolt when the Horses took an unexpected lead, much to the restrained annoyance, having failed to deal with a casual throw, resulting in an unchecked header which found the back of the net.

An inexcusable inattention, considering the amount of work done in training to deal with such scenarios.

However, as with the previous games, the hallmark of the Hilderinc sides, both Saturday and Sunday, shone brightly through, as they displayedexcellent composure to control the game, though adding an unwanted extra touch or two, made the process a little more laboured at times.

But within 7mins, the score was levelled when Melvin Sim, marauding from midfield while holding off the attention of the retreating defence, applied a prefect finish to find the bottom left.

Within 3mins, the Hilderincs were duly in front when Aqil Shah, who persistently works on his shot in training, curled an absolute beauty into the far-right corner.

Just as the game looked firmly in their hands, the Blacks were penalised with a penalty, very much against the run of play, and creepily, in similar circumstances to what Hilderinc FC were awarded against on Saturday.

So having had two spotkicks in four games given against them, the Hilderincs were back where they started, in trying to shake a stubborn Dark Horse off their backs.

In all fairness, however, the Blacks could have been four or five ahead, if not for the opponents’ goalkeeper, who singlehandedly kept the game level with some extraordinary saves to deny a goal surge.

But the Hilderincs would have their lead going into the break when they scored off a corner at the stoke of half time, when Melvin Sim thumped in a header from Aqil Shah’s set-piece.

Amazingly, the goal was “psychically” predicated even before a kick was taken, right down to the scorer, but not because of any supernatural insight, but because it was a well-drill routine worked for hours collectively on the training pitch, right down to the minute detail.

Having countered the Horses’ approach in the first period, the Blacks pushed ahead to nullify any remaining intention with their measured football, personifying the Hilderinc Way in its progressive best.

Playing with an extra sense of each other, the Hilderincs were in total command of the game, though Simon Khaw dealt well with the sporadic endeavours at his goal.

Complemented by an unrivalled fellow cast in black, Aqil Shah, who was in an expansive mood throughout the afternoon, added his second of the day with his usual cheeky guile to double the lead to give a comfortable stead.

With the game taking a more physical tone, the Blacks, though standing firm on their own poise, kept going with their football, seeking to add more to the tally.

While the previous four, and sixth were superb goals in their own merit, the fifth was a display for immaculate team build-up play and finish right out of the Hilderinc playbook, and a specific drill that was worked to precision just a week before in training.

Having worked the ball from the back, the ball was worked to the right flank before it was cut back to the edge of the ball from skipper Daryl Wong to sweep in with magnificent pomp.

With the personal race for the first Hilderinc hat-trick heating up between Aqil Shah and Melvin Sim, the former would steal the march with another belter from range, giving the keeper no chance of a prayer.

Though having run out with a comprehensive win is delightful, the manner in which the Hilderincs played, despite missing several players, and having to include Vinod Kumar, who is still getting to speed, having recovered from a lengthy injury, and Basil Al Barr, and a brief cameo from Ian Morris, it was football that has been shaped continuously for more than a year, when training carried on in the thick of COVID restrictions, when the Hilderincs refused to hide like everyone, but decided to formulate the Hilderinc Way of football.

The Hilderinc Way is not complete by any means, but it is a progressive ideology, and the Hilderinc Twā, in their performances have demonstrated that the Club is heading the right way with it.

And more importantly, it is back to training next week, to keep improving.

Hilderinc Twā 6 : Dark Horse FC 2

Goals: Melvin Sim 14’, 45’, Aqil Shah, 17’, 53’, 75’, Daryl Wong 66’

Starting Line-up

1. Jose Kasijo

2. Ong Ji Kai

3. Uwais Yahya

4. Nigel Pek

5. Sasikumar

6. Daryl Wong

7. Melvin Sim

8. Hafiz Khir

9. Lim Chew Beng

10. Aqil Shah

11. Florent Zhu

Substitutes

12. Simon Khaw (GK)

13. Basil Al Barr

14. Vinod Kumar

15. Ian Morris