Two goals in each half helped Bahrin Team (BT) grab a morale-boosting win over Kroniz at Belapan Stadium on Sunday evening accompanied with thunder and lighting in a match between the two different generation outfits. The BTs average just 25 years of age, while Kroniz are twenty years older on average.
It was more than pride and supremacy were at stake as these two sides battled it out to win the game.
After a vigorous first half which ended goalless, the BT emerged victors of the enthusiastically-fought contest courtesy of well-placed strikes by BT strikers.
With the result, Kroniz coach Pg Ariffin was less than satisfied in his post-match review, sharing concerns on what he saw as indiscipline in the attacking line and referee decisions.
“It was not a good result and not too happy with their performance,” said the former UBD Tennis player.
“They are not playing to their roles in attack, going everywhere except where they should be. They need to be brought down to earth, realise soccer is a team game, play as a team and not as individuals or stars.”
Bab was his usual pragmatic self as he rued the several missed chances.
“Bad result. We had chances, but did not make use of them.”
“We are not defending well, and we are not scoring. We were lacking attacking options up front due to injuries and holidays.”
Kroniz could take consolation, however, from the fact that the scoreline could have read differently to Kroniz, except that the referee had chalked off what appeared to be two clear goals, one in each half.
The rookie referee was barracked by Kroniz players for those calls, but the some other players themselves accepted those decisions, persevered and eventually came good when it came to taking subsequent opportunities, getting their due rewards at the later stages as their opponents were again found wanting at the other end.
Heartened by the opportunities they had, the Kroniz were growing in confidence as they began their push forward, driving BTs deep into their own half.
The match was threatening to boil over at various points, as indignant youth collided with authority and frustration steadily mounted among both sets of players.
But the BTs got their redemption on 30 minutes. Following a blocked free kick routine, BT player barged down the right, cleared his marker inside the Kroniz box and slotted the ball into the net, overcoming the tight angle between the post and the goalkeeper. 1-0 before the half-time.
Stung into action, Kroniz responded positively when, during an immediate counter, the ball bobbled near their opponent’s post, bouncing narrowly past the woodwork as it drifted out of play.
The BTs were ahead but by no means certain winners, at least no yet. Kronizs were still pressing and their penetrative forays into the BT goal area were giving them renewed confidence.
A free-kick taken by a kroniz player two minutes from the end proved dangerous as the ball came off the wall, rose high and then ascended near the right post, a player just barely failing to get his foot to the leather as the opportunity for a morale-boosting equaliser passed by.
In the second half, it was two-up to BTs when BT substitute ended the tie with a goal of some aplomb, an audacious curler from 25 yards out that sailed over Kroniz keeper, and into the back of the Kroniz net.
“If they start getting too big for their shoes and think they have arrived, maybe it is time for some changes.” commended one of Kroniz player disappointed with the lost.
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