Saturday, 27 February 2010

27th Feb: Kroniz survived a mighty scare after Persatuan Referee Tutong (PRT) come behind from two goals down to hold Kroniz FT to a 3-3 draw in an enthralling contest at Komplex Sukan Tutong today.

With action see-sawing from one end of the field to the other, the PRTs had to claw back to earn a share of the spoils with a goal in the second half.

Goals from new signing Nasrin (2) and Dodoi looked enough for Kroniz to earn a win but PRT pounced in the second half to ensure parity.

No one could have envisaged the away side taking a two-goal lead in the first half, but the signs were telling.

PRT with experienced players pushed the Kroniz hard, throughout the game with both sides traded attempts from range.

Kroniz took the lead in the 9th minute after a mix-up at the heart of the defence left in Dodoi in metres of space for him to smash in the game's opening goal.

Kroniz were keen to add onto their lead and struck once again in the 15th minute, after Dodoi once gain created havoc inside the box. His cross was only half-cleared, and Nasrin wasted little time in firing his team into an almost unbelivable two-nil lead.

However PRT never gave up and pushed really hard and managed to pull two goals back to make it 2-2 before half time.

Kroniz had other ideas, who else but Nasrin, getting himself onto the end of Ali’s teasing corner kick deep into the second minute of stoppage time to prod the ball home past the despairing reach of PRT keeper for kroniz to lead 3-2 going into the second half.

A slow start by both teams into the second half was suddenly livened up, after PRT’ goal in the second half to make it 3-3 to slowly back into the groove.

It was end-to-end stuff from then on, with 20 minutes to go, PRT kept pressing and continued with intent,

Three-all and both teams were left to wonder what could have been, “The good thing though, was the manner we came out stronger for the second half. “There was a huge sense of belief in the team as we kept going towards the end, as we could have scored more.”

Bab also emphasised the need to take chances, as he added: “We need to improve in future games and kill off the game as soon as we can”

“Though they came at us strongly in the final 15 minutes, we defended stoutly during that period.

“On the whole, we played to our game plan and I’m proud of my players tonight.”

With another potentially risky encounter on the horizon, Kroniz do need to be absolutely aware of the size of the task awaiting them.

Kroniz have yet to keep a clean sheet and more lax defending in future matches could cost them valuable points yet again.

Saturday, 20 February 2010

Kroniz on top of their game

19 Feb: Kroniz battled hard yesterday afternoon at Maktab Duli Field with a narrow 2-1 win over Kg Mata-Mata FC (KMM FC).

Thankfully, they did sufficiently to claim the points in the end. “As far as the players’ [performances] were concerned they have a tendency to please and frustrate you in equal measure, but that’s football.

“We were on top of our game in the first half, though giving away a soft goal made it difficult for ourselves. KMM FC had their chances and made us work hard for the victory.

“The players dug deep, as we aim to win since kickoff,” concluded Bab Kroniz manager. KMM FC could have perhaps snatched a draw in the second half but Kroniz held on.

The game got off to a somewhat robust start when KMM striker conjured up an effort out of nowhere, his attempt slashed wide from way out.

After a quarter of an hour gone, KMM keep trying to make some forays upfront but were kept well in check by Shafie and company in defence.

With the game seemingly descending into lethargy, Asri endeavoured to take the game by the scruff of its neck with a darting run and shot with Aliuddin the provider. Alas, the Asri could not get his bearings right and sizzled his angled drive well wide.

Having come close with goal bound shots from Aming and an eager Fendi in quick succession, the Kroniz eventually got their noses in front on 27 minutes.

Asri raked in a great pass from Gnal’s after throw in and as the KMM defence stood still a soft pass evaded the defence and all was left to Asri to bulge the net, with the simplest of finishes leading 1-0 going into the break.

Going into the second half KMM were made to regret not taking the few goalscoring opportunities that came their way, when the Kronizs score again 5 minutes after the restart.

Dodoi, Kroniz new signing made the KMM pay with his determined effort and darting run moments later, when he was allowed to dribble pass three defenders with only the keeper to beat, he guided the ball into the net leading 2-0.

However, whether it was down to nerves or complacency or not, Kronizs put themselves on the backfoot in the 51st minute. Curiously, the kroniz did not seem to get into their customary stride in the game and proceeded to make unwarranted mistakes, where one moment of indecision of defending, KMM took the advantage and score a goal to closed the gap to 2-1.
KMM were still in the game and their players could have caused a few ripples however kroniz defence held on.

“We deserved a draw, where it was perhaps a fair result. The way we set up ourselves surprised Kroniz a little, and even as we went behind we never sat back, went forward and tried to create chances.” said KMM player.

Monday, 15 February 2010

Kroniz put three past Jabatan Perlabuhan for another victory

14hb Feb: Jabatan Perlabuhan’s preparation for a tournament in Thailand in April was dealt a blow, when they went down 3-1 to Kroniz FC at Kebajikan Field this afternoon.

Jabatan perlabuhan (JP) started out the brighter of the two teams, as their striker took on the Kroniz defence straight from the kick off. His darting run ending with a weak shot that was easily saved by kroniz goalkeeper, Zulkarnean who played brilliantly throughout the game.

Kroniz refused to sit back and allow the JP to dictate the pace of the game. A flurry of chances could have seen them taking the lead early on.

Ten minutes later, JP broke the deadlock. A left footed attempt by JP player was blocked away by kroniz's defender only to the feet of JP striker, who shot it straight back at the goal to lead 1-0

JP had no reply for Kroniz’s attack and were punished on the 15th minute. Pg Asmalee’s run into the penalty area found an unmarked new signing Dodoi, who calmly slotted home the equalizer.

The very determined kronizs increased their pace after the equalizer. A neat pass from Gnal opened up the JP defence to set off Pg Asmalee on a darting run that saw him cut in from the flank and take on the entire defence and cooly put his shot pass JP keeper for kroniz second goal.

Kroniz started the second half the same way they had ended it. Arch’s quick free kick seemed to have caught the entire JP defence by surprise. The goalkeeper though, was alert and saved it.

JP’s inability to take their chances would prove costly 10 minutes later. Pg Asmalee was instrumental in his side’s attack once again a through ball from Bob beating the off side trap and with only the goal keeper to beat, Pg asmalee made no mistake and put his side 3-1 up. for his second of the day.

JP were the more dominant side, but Kroniz’s ability to turn chances into goals proved to be the key in this game as they ran out comfortable winners.

Kroniz’s assistant manager Pg Ariffin, was pleased with the team’s performance.

“The (young) team member is starting to mature slowly and is starting to gel with the team.”

“There were flaws in the first few games but we’re working on it. As the defenders get better, the forwards are getting better too. This benefits the whole team and we’re scoring. It showed today and we deserved to win.”

Gong Xi Fa Chai to our Chinese friends...

Friday, 5 February 2010

Kroniz FC storm past JPD

5th Feb: It was not exactly the “pass-and-move” brand of football Kroniz players have been extolling, but Kroniz FC produced enough panache in their performance to win today's game .

That came after a comprehensive 3-0 win over Jabatan Pengangkutan Darat (JPD) at Maktab Duli Field this afternoon..

The scoreline was harsh on the JPD side, who had created enough chances to even win the game themselves, but their profligacy in front of goal meant that Kroniz FC eventually finished comfortable winners.

Kroniz got off to a dream start, with the opener after just fifteen minutes. It was Aliuddin sending a beautifully floated corner kick cross to the far post and Shafie could not have been any happier waiting and getting the finish right despite the best efforts from JPD keeper. Shafie was clearly in the mood on the day, and ten minutes later his effort hit the goal post.

Five minutes later Shafie bore down on goal but took too long to shoot, and when he finally did, he saw his effort blocked by JPD leftback. The ball fell to Azreen, and the striker saw his scooter kick shot into the net for a 2-nil lead.

Five minutes before half-time, Sulaiman, who had a sparkling game in defence for Kronizs, sent a left-footed effort in the penalty area with three JPD player trying to stop him however his determination to score a goal curled into the right-hand upright, and Kroniz entered the break looking fairly comfortable with 3-0.

The second half proved to be a cagey affair, with neither side creating any real clear goal scoring chances.

Kroniz Asst.manager Pg Ariffin was happy with the win, but was aware of the areas where his team had to improve.

“It was a tough game, actually,” reflected the 40-year-old.

"He further said he felt his team’s play was still “not fluid enough” and that there was “still a lot of room for improvement”.

Monday, 1 February 2010

Kroniz FC costly lost against QAF Auto FC 3-4

31st Jan: When QAF Auto FC took the lead in the fourth minute on Sunday night match against Kroniz FC those assembled at the Padang Kebajikan must have wondered just how dominant QAF FC would be and if they would rattle in a lot more goals before they were finished.

In the end the QAF FC had to settle for a 4-3 win, with a very late goal, a result they achieved only after the plucky kroniz FC side that had clawed their way back to 1-3 leading in the first half.

In the first half, after a goal down, Kroniz surprisingly dictated the pace of the game, and the four players on trail players in particular caught the attention of the spectators with their scintillating performances.

Wingers Bob and Dodoi, plus Asri, proved to be constant menaces to the QAF FC defence. It was no surprise that all three players had their names on the score sheet after 45 minutes.

However, QAF Auto FC with a few B league players on their side came back from two goal down to equalise, and it proved to be a futile effort as individual mistakes by Kroniz proved too much at the end of the 90 minutes.

Kroniz head coach Bab cut a disappointed figure at the end of the game. He said: “My players had not much concentration in the second half of the game and it proved to be costly for us.

“We played hard and were determined to beat QAF FC but what happens during the game always happens again and again. I am disappointed with the mistakes,” a player commented.

QAF FC team clawed themselves back into the match in the second half, when they were awarded a penalty after their striker was upended by defender Rosli in the penalty box to make the score 2 -3.

Alas, 20 minutes from time, kroniz keeper was to undo his teammate’s effort by failing to hold on to a cross. The ball spilled to none other than the predatory QAF striker, who deservingly grabbed his second of the night with another simple tap-in to make it 3-3.

QAF FC striker capped off a fine individual performance by adding the icing on the cake with his team’s fourth goal. In the 90th minute, the winger sidestepped his way skillfully past two defenders before committing kroniz keeper misstep and QAF striker finishing coolly directing the ball to uncovered angle making it 4-3 to QAF Auto FC.