Week 1 Tables and Statistics - SMU Hunters Match

RESULT
NUS Saints 4 SMU Hunters 2

SCORER (ASSIST)
Period 1 (2 - 1)
08:30 Victor
10:04 Donald (Edwin Ong)
Period 2 (1 - 1)
21:38 Victor (Chris)
Period 3 (1 - 0)
58:41 Donald

MAN OF THE MATCH
Khairul Faliq S/O Abdul Rahman
- For rising to the occasion to save the penalty in the dying minutes of the last period, denying the equaliser for SMU Hunters . The 4th goal for Saints came shortly after that crucial save as the team's morale is raised. Though there were defensive lapses on a couple of occasions, Khairul kept his composure for most parts of the game, making a huge contribution to Saints' first victory in Div 2.

MATCH DEBRIEF - BY CHRIS
1. Talking in transitional defense: important for players to communicate to one another and direct them who to mark/cover etc. For example, the centre should direct the forwards as to where to stand and which player to mark to avoid a situation where 2 of our players end up going for the same opponent player.

2. There is no need to commit yourself blindly or rashly in an attempt to win back the ball (esp. in the centre) because once you are beaten, you are pretty much out of the game. Instead, focus on channeling the player to the boards or a less dangerous shooting position. We don't need to win the ball back everytime, but what we need to do is protect out goal all the time.

3. Important not to ball watch in defense. As we've all noticed by now, Div 2 teams are in the tendency of cheonging down the boards before centering the ball. For defenders, remember to watch the opponent players who are not on the ball so that they don't end up getting a shot on our goal. Also, get ready to cut the centre passes.

4. Reset play: In the event our attack gets pushed wide or the forwards are trapped at the boards, we should try our best to reset our play and get another better attack going. This involves both the forwards making a good pass back to the defenders as well as the defenders stepping up high enough to allow the forwards to make an easy pass back. Something to work on.