Hilderinc Football Club

Returning to action after a limited combined training was always not going to be ideal, more so when the Hilderincs were pitted against Hollandse FC, in the clash of the two HFCs in less than desired conditions.

It is always a folly to expect the expected from Mother Nature, and though repeated being fooled, everyone was rightly hoodwinked into believing it would be a nice cool Saturday based on the temperatures of the past days, leaving the tie being played in one of the hottest days in recent weeks.

Though healthy in numbers, couple of late withdrawals had the Blacks slim on some areas more than the others, and with several others still unavailable, it is a squad still a work in progress, rather than one that is settled.

Playing in extreme sunshine, it was therefore, vital that the Hilderincs start the game learning the lessons from the previous outing, when they were rendered ineffective in the opening half by Club M, who had done their homework in neutralising the Blacks’ approach.

So, it was much appreciated that the Dutch’s unfamiliarity of the Hilderincs allowed the Blacks to settle into their rhythm.

Starting confidently, the first opportunity would fall in the way of the Hilderincs within 4mins when Aitor Fernandez’s cross was nearly glanced in by Melvin Sim who fell agonisingly short by inches for a perfect header.

Keeping simple and fluid, the Blacks were confident on the ball, but with the Oranje showing similar poise, much of the proceedings was like a chess game, more than a football match, with both mutually countering each other’s endevours, and were equally presented with opportunities, the best for the Hilderincs falling to Ian Morris, whose attempt lacked the full connection to test the keeper in full.

Though having done well, there were minor rectifications that was needed addressing, mostly individual, but had collective translation of efficacy, but going 0-0 into the break was reasonable, considering the difficult circumstances.

However, bewilderingly, in reverse to their previous fixture, the Blacks turned up for the second period in irregular temperament, hence inviting undue attention by Hollandse, who had extended presence in the Hilderinc half.

The combination of proactive goalkeeping and some wasteful finishing by the Dutch side was the difference between having all the good work undone by, perhaps by the effects of the weather, and growing pains of a still maturing side.

But having said that, the Blacks could have had their own joy in front of the goal, first with Melvin Sim whisking his shot past the upright, and later with Nabil Zahrif on two different occasions, making the wrong decision when skipper Ian Morris was in a better position to perhaps tuck away one of those opportunities.

In the end, though it was a goalless stalemate, it was not short on entertainment and good flowing football from the both sides, but the Blacks will take some of the pointers back to the training ground to work on going forward, but many positives for sure.

Hilderinc FC 0 : Hollandse FC 0

MOM: Ace Prasad

Yellow Card: Aitor Fernandez

Starting Line-up

1. Jose Kasijo

2. Sergey Darovskikh

3. Nicholas Ledenmark

4. Calvin Teo

5. Basil Al Barr

6. Aitor Fernandez

7. Melvin Sim

8. Danzal Han

9. Danial Hairul

10. Ian Morris

11. Fahmy “Ollie” Barker

Substitutes

12. Ace Prasad (GK)

13. Aamir Fikri

14. Nabil Zahrif

15. Nasruddin Ramli

16. Sean Rajah