Courageous Prodigians crash out of FA Cup through penalties

Penalty Woes

Facing Division 9 current leaders Legends United FC, we had got a point to prove after losing to them 2-1 narrowly in an earlier league game. This time, the team arrived early allowing for plenty of warm ups, much unlike the earlier match. This time, although missing some of our key players, the team started the game in fiesty mood, determined to erase the memories of the match against KNV6. It was quite a scrappy first 20 min and chances were few and far between. However, in the 25min, Legends was presented with a good chance due to a defensive mistake by Team Prodigy and duly made it 1-0. Heads started dropping as we began to wear the worst. Much to our dissapointment, a horror miskick resulted in an easy goal for Legends. The 1st half ended with Legends scoring from the 2 chances they had, and we were faced with an uphill task.

Instead of caving in however, Manager Chua gave us all an inspiring teamtalk and in the 2nd half, Team Prodigy came out with all cylinders firing, bringing on endless waves of attacks on Legends goal. We were soon rewarded in the 50th min when our Captain of the day, Longkun found himself in the box, one on one with the keeper, before lobbing the ball over the keeper's head for Mick to score with a simple close range header. 2-1 to Prodigy and dreams of going to Wembley soon inspired the team to throw bodies forward at every attacking opportunties. We were literally camping in their half! It was enjoyable, exciting and truly inspiring football played by us in the second half. Finally the equaliser came..! With less than 20mins left to play, Bernard swinged over a freekick from the left, their keeper punched the ball out weakly, the ball was screaming for one of the many red shirts in the box to be put in and GOALLLLLLL!.....Kelv K was at the right place, at the right time, to deflect the ball into the goal. It was 2-2 and game on. Sensing that the opponents were tired, we summoned our last ounces of energy and continued our attacking football, hoping to score the winning goal to take them to Wembley. Mick came mightly close with a one on one shot that was saved, and Kelvin K came even closer with a shot just over the crossbar, but it was not to be as the referee blew for the final whistle.

The score was still two a piece after 10mins of extra time and the match went into penalties. Mick was the first taker and he cooly scored to the top left corner. Next up, Legends scored too and it was 1-1 now. Tension was building and next taker was Bernard. The cheers were soon muted as Bernard shot was saved in the centre by their keeper who still had time to move back although he dived left in the first place. So much for the dreaded left leg :) Next, our hopes were pinned on Jiahui to save a Legends penalty and cheers of JIAHUI JIAHUI JIAHUI! could be heard and he SAVED IT!! It was 1-1 at this moment and tension was building up to the extent that some of us could not bear looking at the goal. Our captain Longkun showed us the way however as he confidently placed the ball to make the score 2-1 in our favour. However, Legends scored their last kick to make the score 2-2. It was now sudden death penalty kicks and Kun was the designated 4th taker. He went for the top left and the ball seem destinated for a goal but the Legends keeper produced a world class save by diving and tipping the ball onto the post and out! It was the defining moment and the last Legends taker then kept his cool to score to knocked Prodigy out of the FA Cup. Although tempers were flaring all over the pitch during the match, players from both sides gave each other their congratulations and "condolences", the earlier quarrels were quickly forgotten as both teams left the field happy to have been part of this match.

Hard luck Prodigy. But we should be proud of the performance we put up against the current leaders and the character we showed. With more performances like this, I am sure we will be climbing the league table soon. Kudos to all those who came today and gave their all, special mention to Wenjing and Chingweng who became the makeshift centrebacks. You guys were great. Lets look forward to meeting Assumption United next week!

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