The Kranji Cougars Times - Match Reports and Other Team News
| Kranji Cougars go head on against Jalan Kayu |
On 6 April 2004, the Cougars went head on against a team that calls themselves, Jalan Kayu FC. It was a very entertaining fixture. The Cougars were in a very tense situation when most of their first team players could not make it on the match day. Nevertheless the Cougars still went in to the game with high spirits. The Cougars kicked off the game and were on the attacking for most of the half but the strong defence line of the opponent and the lack of finishing on the side of the Cougars, kept the game scoreless. In the 30th minute Cougars striker, was able to lay a through pass to his striking partner for the day, Haidhar who made a spectacular lob which left the Jalan Kayu goalkeeper stranded. That was also the very first goal for Haidhar in a Cougars shirt. The Cougars managed to hang on to the single goal lead until the 45th minute when the opponents found and opening in the Cougars defence, enabling them to lay a pass to one of their strikers for calmly put the ball past Shaiful (Cougar's Goalkeeper), when he mistimed his slide for the ball. The game ended at 1-1
score line at the first half. The game had to be called off at half-time
due to third party interference. |
| Kranji Cougars take on Jalan Kayu in a re-match |
13
April 2004, just one week after their previous meeting, the two
teams go head on once again. This time the Cougars fielded a much
stronger side, with the return of players like Firdaus, Adi Sufian,
Afiq and their player-manager Sukhbir. The re-match was equally
as entertaining as the previous meeting. The Cougars took the lead
with an opener from striker Qutaibah. The Cougars managed to hang
on to the lead till the end of the first half. The second half started
with a kick off by Jalan Kayu. Both teams had equal possession in
second half. Qutaibah was able to put the ball in the back of the
net once again in the second half with a pass from striking partner
Sukhbir. Jalan Kayu put up a strong fight and were able to equalise
ther game at 2-2 in the second half, but then Cougar's skipper,
Sukhbir was able to put the ball in to the goal mouth in an acute
angle, after receiving the ball from a corner. The game was locked
and sealed in the 86th minute when Cougars midfielder, Aliff drove
the ball into the opponent’s goal from 25 yards away. The
game ended in a 4-2 win for the Kranji Cougars, the first win of
the year. |
| Long awaited match against Kranji NPCC |
In the later days of the month of April 2004, the Kranji Cougars
were matched up against Kranji NPCC. The match was played on a familiar
ground to both teams. The match also marked the return of Cougar's
centre back, Sasikumar. The Kranji Cougars went in to the match with
their heads held high and were determined to walk out of the match
that very same way. The game was a little one sided throughout the
first half. The Cougars managed to score 5 goals in the first half
and still maintained a clean sheet. This caused the opponents to leave
the pitch in dismay at half time. The second half was a little bit
more entertaining. The opponents fielded in fresh legs, replacing
their exhausted players. The Cougars were given a hard time to maintain
their clean sheet but were unable to do so. The game ended in an 8-2
score line, the biggest win for the Kranji Cougars to this date. |
| Cougars sign new Goalie! |
 Cougars
have now and then been hit by problems by goalkeepers not being
able to play for the side on match days. To solve that problem,
Kranji Cougars have signed a new player, Dhuha who would play on
a squad rotational basis. Cougars have all the faith in their new
addition to the family, who would be making his debut against Shinobi
on 25 May 2004. Dhuha is a great addition to the team who can also
double-up as a defender when he is not between the posts. We hope
to see some spectacular saves coming from this guy. |
| Cougars match up Shinobi for the 3rd time this year |
25
may 2004, Kranji Cougars took on Shinobi for the third time this
year. The cougars lost to Shinobi by 2 goals in the previous meeting,
was this match up going to end the same way? The Cougars went in
to the match with only 11 players and no reserves. This match was
also a debut match for Cougars new goalkeeper, Dhuha. The match
started with Shinobi taking the kick off and taking a very early
lead. Shinobi was dominant for the most of the first half and their
goalkeeper who was on top form managed to save a lot of one on one
situations. The half ended with Shinobi taking a 4-1 lead. Cougars
started the second half with a high morale despite the score line.
The second half seemed very much more fruitful when Cougars were
able to bring the score line to 5-5, with goals coming from Sukhbir,
Alif, Firdaus and Haidhar. Unfortunately fatigue kicked in to the
Cougars side, and the opponents were able to take full advantage
of it, and scoring 3 more goals bringing the game to an end with
a 8-5 score line. Yet another loss for the Kranji Cougars. |