Challenge

Jurong East Stadium
Spectators: 45 (Terracing: 35, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Kyle Cox made the kick off which started today's match. Khalid Kennedy came out of the goal in the 3rd minute to try and stop a shot by Albirex Niigata FC's Gage Hong. But to his dismay, Gage Hong quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-0. Albirex Niigata FC's Ali Ramachandran played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Issac Dawson in the 6th minute of play. Afriz Hian came free with the goalkeeper in the 8th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Khalid Kennedy could save by the left post. Khalid Kennedy made a fantastic save in the 10th minute, when Afriz Hian sent off a good shot on target. Xavier Gallagher's late challenge caught a Albirex Niigata FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Xavier Gallagher helped the player get up and apologised. In the 15th minute, Xavier Gallagher hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The long shot by Gerard Hoe in the 16th minute really tested Khalid Kennedy's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. 17 minutes into the match, Kyle Cox notched a goal, 1-1, to the right of Albirex Niigata FC's Ali Ramachandran. Ali Ramachandran was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Ali Ramachandran showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Issac Dawson, who was totally free with the ball in the 21st minute. After a rather tough play, England's Cooper Thompson got a free kick in the 26th minute. The supporters of Albirex Niigata FC booed when England was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 31 match minutes in a wonderful position. Micah Macdonald didn't get a good kick on the ball. Ali Ramachandran came out of the goal in the 35th minute to try and stop a shot by England's Micah Macdonald. But to his dismay, Micah Macdonald quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-2. After 38 minutes of play, England's Kyle Cox made it 1-3 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Ali Ramachandran was left in no man's land by his defense there! Issac Dawson recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 41st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Khalid Kennedy made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Afiq Hsi in the 43rd minute of play. Kyle Cox hit a great freekick 46 minutes into the match. The Albirex Niigata FC players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. England were winning 1-3.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Afiq Hsi made a kick off. In the 53rd minute Issac Dawson shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ali Ramachandran saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Afiq Hsi hit a great freekick 54 minutes into the match. 57 minutes into the game, Eddie Willis was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. England's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Albirex Niigata FC the free kick. Eddie Willis hit a great freekick 57 minutes into the match. Caelan Hayes hit a great freekick 59 minutes into the match. 60 minutes into the match, England's goal looked a bit too open when Afriz Hian came free, but Khalid Kennedy reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ali Ramachandran made an important save on a dangerous shot by Micah Macdonald in the 61st minute. A collision led to Albirex Niigata FC getting a freekick after 62 minutes play. Gerard Hoe hit a great ball. If Kyle Cox had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 63rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 65 minutes into the game, Caelan Hayes recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Ali Ramachandran. Caelan Hayes showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-4. Albirex Niigata FC's Ali Ramachandran proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 68th minute of the match, managed to save Albirex Niigata FC from getting a goal against them. Albirex Niigata FC's defense didn't have a chance, in the 70th minute, when Xavier Gallagher scored to the left of an out of position Ali Ramachandran, making the score, 1-5. In the 76th minute, Gerard Hoe hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Leighton Davies hit a great freekick 78 minutes into the match. In the 80th minute, Afriz Hian made a precise shot to the right of Khalid Kennedy. England's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-5. Issac Dawson hit a great freekick 84 minutes into the match. If Kyle Cox had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 93rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Ali Ramachandran made an important save on a dangerous shot by Xavier Gallagher in the 95th minute. When the final whistle sounded England left the ground with the victory after a much better performance than Albirex Niigata FC.