What a way to tour the northeast of Singapore! First Dasch Rovers played a 15 mins first half in Anderson Junior College before suffering from the usual "Being-Chased-Out-By-Someone-From-Some-School" syndrom. Before moving on, I must say that the AJC field is one of the best that Dasch had ever graced their feet on: Short wonderful grass, good irrigation system despite the heavy downpour the previous night and wide open space for players to run.

The 1st 15 mins was the usual "up and tumble" style of play where both teams tested each other defence, hitting numerous long balls into the penalty area for the forwards to chase. The experimental setup of 3 center backs for Dasch in the absence of manager/player Eng Kiat were holding up well despite the fact that the opponent had an explosively dangerous no. 10 in their ranks, who loves to run at the defence.

As of above, play was interrupted and we were chased out of AJC. What a big hoo hoo as another 2 teams were waiting for their turn to use the field. Thanks to some resourcefulness of the opponent, we travelled a few hundred meters across the road to Pesbyterian High School (PHS), only to find out in despair that the field is already being occupied, not to mention also the fact that the same 2 other teams waiting for the AJC field travelled with us to this field!

Before our arguements could settle down about whether to go home and sleep or go for another tour of the Northeast, the teams on the field suddenly stopped for half time. Without hesitation, we jumped at the chance.

The PHS field was nothing compared to the AJC field. It is so much smaller and full of wet puddles (or for Dasch..MINE FIELDS which none of our players dare to venture into). Nevertheless, the match resumed with 20 mins to go.

The smaller field only hindered Dasch's style of play as the long balls are easily cut off by the opponent's defence. However, the previous night's England vs Germany Euro 2000 game (1-0 to England!) must have taken its toll on the opponent's Goalkeeper. He was left stranded/rooted to the spot/staring at the ball flying in when Mingheng did a wonderful lob from the left corner of the penalty box. Oh yes! Dasch is 1-0 up!

Not only did the England vs Germany match affected their goalkeeper, it did the same to ours too! Only this time, our GK Zhiyong managed to wake up at the last moment and push the ball into the underside of the horizontal bar. Nevertheless, the law of dynamics and mechanics took over and the ball rebounded at an angle into the goal. Mingheng's heart must have sank real deep into his pants after all his hardwork were in vain. The 1st half ended with both teams deadlocked at 1-1.

Kicked off 2nd half: Even before everyone could settle down jeering and cursing the GK, Daniel Ding did a one man show. After starting from the center, a terrific pass (from dunno who) was made to Daniel outside the penalty box. Daniel did a tame shot which rolled in slowly into the left bottom corner of the goal. As mentioned earlier, the GK must have been sleeping again, letting in such a weak shot and of course boosting Daniel's already bloated ego. 2-1!

With a goal down, the opponent's no. 10 decided to take the game into his own hands or should i say his legs. Two fast and successive goals by him turn the table completely around. Both goals were skillfully scored. The first being a first time placing of the ball beyong Zhiyong after a cross from the right. Zixin and Chek Keng were caught totally at a loss as the no.10 manged to squeeze passed both of them from the center for the goal. The superb reading of the game by Eng Kiat was solely missed in this game. The 2nd was a skillfully done one. No. 10 got the ball from the half way line, dribbled and pushing his way passed 2 crunching tackles from Zixin and Tianrui and finally squeezing it pass the diving Ruibin (Oh yes..Zhiyong was subbed. More match fitness Zhiyong!!)

The 2 goals managed to do the unbelievable. Instead of cracking up as usual, Dasch upped the gear and pushed for the vital equaliser. Mingheng worked his wonders down both flanks, Jiamin & Raymond did their terror runs, both flanks managed to get the crosses in. However, the final finishing was totally awful by the forwards. Daniel was the main culprit, blasting a few open chances sky high and Cheng Cai totally missing a few easy chances. The midfield department managed to control the midfield: one of the few rare occasions actually.

The last 10 mins witnessed several mad scrambles in the opponent's penalty area. The ball bounced and rebounded off everyone's foot like a stupid pin ball game, it went everywhere but the goal. A sky high volley into the sky by Jiamin summed up the state of our finishing in the last minute of play.

Eventhough Dasch Rovers may not have achieve its first win for the season, it was good to see the return of our once feared passing and dangerous shooting in the opponent's half. If only Eng Kiat's commanding presence was around and the strikers' returning to their FREE scoring form, the next few matches will definitely witness a convincing win by Dasch Rovers.