Hilderinc Football Club

After the positives of last week, an emaciated Hilderinc FC were brought back to the starting blocks when they were punished by Jepun FC, for their own reverie, in their third MSC Summer Cup 2022 fixture.

Despite missing several players, and with the Hilderincs having to tap on the services of the Sunday side for reinforcements, the mood was optimistic that they would keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages with a confident display, though the squad was inadequately ranked.

And the opening minutes did well to support that belief, as the Blacks, playing in their away kit, looked comfortable, linking, and keeping encouraging possession of the ball, while looking for the end product for their endeavours.

Yet, for all their intention, the Blacks found themselves a goal behind in the opening minutes when a complete switch-off at the rear, gifted the Japanese the lead against the run of play, though minimal communication and attention would have prevented the unnecessary act of charity.

However, tenacious pressing from Ong Ji Kai and Aitor Fernandez on the edge of the box, allowed Fahmy Barker to profit, before slotting home the equaliser.

Just as the game was pulled level, and another unforced error brought the Hilderincs back to square one, and moments later, to further exacerbate their discomfort, a third was added by Jepun FC to give a grim outlook with much of the game to play.

Patchy at times, the Blacks were determined to claw back the deficit, and after coming close from a Fahmy Barker attempt, which the fingertips of the goalkeeper kept it out, Aitor Fernandez pulled a goal back with a delightful freekick, to give the Hilderincs a pray and hope to get something out of the game.

However, with much of the second half spent cancelling each other, both teams failed to add to the goal count, though the end-to-end football might have pleased the neutrals, the Hilderincs were left craving and unfulfilled for a leveller, leaving them with one last game in the competition to play for.

As these games were meant to bring the side up to speed after the two-year hiatus from competitive football, the overarching objectives was always playing football right, but will the side clearly still a work in process, every little improvement is taken preciously, and slightest imperfections marked for immediate scrutiny.

So, now it is back to the training pitch to address the blemishes.

Hilderinc FC 2 : Jepun FC 3

Goals: Fahmy Barker 17’, Aitor Fernandez 33’

MOM: Aitor Fernandez

Yellow Card: Aitor Fernandez

Starting Line-up

1. Gowtham Durai

2. Tan Euren

3. Nicholas Ledenmark

4. Sergey Darovskikh

5. Sean Rajah

6. Ong Ji Kai

7. Basil Chan

8. Aitor Fernandez

9. Sam Lindley

10. Ian Morris

11. Fahmy “Ollie” Barker

Substitutes

12. Jose Kasijo (GK)

13. Nasruddin Ramli

14. Danial Hairul