Hilderinc Football Club

HFC Media File Picture

For the second week running, Hilderinc FC were at the receiving end of the opponents reversing a 2-0 delict to inflict another unforgiving defeat in the ESPZEN Saturday League.

As if they had inadvertently offended the footballing gods, the Hilderincs, who has had an average matchday numbers around twenty each week, plummeted to mere thirteen, and that including an injury emaciated Logaraj Sundram, who was hastily promoted from supporter to player, just two minutes before kick-off, along with Omar Mahnin, who’s trip from the airport brought him just in time for the start, without both, the Blacks would have taken to the field with nine men.

While much of the marring was set in motion 48 hours before kickoff when three illness and work related withdrawals started to disrupt, the significate damage was done when three more pull outs just hours before the game, plunging the Blacks’ already constrained plans into turmoil.

And adding to the notion of resistentialism, two strategic players in the day’s plan were delayed due to unpredictable reasons, leaving the Hilderincs with a rough-and-ready setup.

Having met twice in pre-season friendly, the two sides had been inseparable sparring partners, having drawn both games having scored seven goals for and against each other, and despite the Blacks’ handicap, signs were pointing to another deadlock, though the Hilderincs, living on the edge, had keeper Axel Blomgren, to thank for as the Swede kept them in the game with his fines saves, though the exploits of Sunny Tharidu, Denis Lobov and Nicholas Ledenmark were admirable.

However, after the initial awkwardness, the Hilderincs grew into the game, with Jon Loh and Mike Rooke, who carried on his hard work in defence to the heart of the midfield, with makeshift wingback Rahmat Saring restored parity in play, though the Blacks were happier of the two to head into the break on level terms.

Seeing no end to the mischiefs of the axiom, things got worse when the already impoverished Blacks were further decimated when a hamstring injury forced skipper Ian Morris out of action, while Logaraj Sundram was withdrawn to provide much needed relief for his weakened knees, though his reprieve did not last long when he had to replace Nicholas Ledenmark who himself struggled with an injury of his own.

Just when all looked to be falling apart, the Hilderincs found a way through after Serhat Dalbeyler put away a penalty to take the lead.

The Turk who had a forgettable first half looked to turn hero when he double the lead with a crispy finish, extending the Blacks’ advantage, and possibly an ugly win against the odds.

With the centrebacks the only constant in the Blacks’ backline, the introduction of Steve Tan in the second half was inspiration, as the hard man was at his wrecking best, winning everything that came his way, as well as functioning as a launch pad for the Hilderincs’ attacks

On the up, the Hilderincs could have sealed the tie when Logaraj Sundram’s low drive, which looked to be heading to the bottom corner, was kept out almost miraculously by the Club M’s keeper, though the Blacks were equally guilty of not making the most of the other chances that fell their way.

As if the writing against the Hilderincs was already written on the wall, Serhat Dalbeyler suffered a possible season ending injury, forcing the Blacks into yet another change from an already crocked bench, as a hurt Nicholas Ledenmark came back unto the pitch and with Ian Morris already ruled out of any further action, the Blacks faced playing understrength should things got worse

As fatigue started to grab hold of the brave Hilderincs, who were nothing but 100% in their exertion, allowed Club M to get back into the game with an unfortunate goal, but just when they hoped to have held on for a slender win, they were dealt the cruellest of blows when three late goals broke the hearts of the Blacks in the harshest of ways.

While football is a beautiful game in every right, it can the most forbidding one in the same breath.

Final Score

Club M FC 4 : Hilderinc FC 2

Goals: Serhat Dalbeyler (2)

MOM: Serhat Dalbeyler

Yellow Card: Mike Rooke

Starting Line Up

1. Axel Blomgren

2. Mike Rooke

3. Sunny Tharidu

4. Denis Lobov

5. Nicholas Ledenmark

6. Jon Loh

7. Serhat Dalbeyler

8. Sashikumar Mahathevan

9. Logaraj Sundram

10. Ian Morris

11. Omar Mahnin

Substitutions

12. Rahmat Saring

13. Steve Tan

• ESPZEN Saturday League 17 Division 2

• HFC ESPZEN League 17 Season Player Stats