Skopet FC maintained their winning form in their second league season with an impressive 3-1 victory over Squad Boulevard who remained at the bottom of the table after the loss.
From the way the match started, it looked as if nothing could separate the two teams, with both teams creating their fair share of chances. Squad Boulevard's defensive four held up pretty well against Skopet's relentless attacks, while the resilience of Skopet FC's back four forced Squad Boulevard to only manage long shots at goal from midfield.
Half-way into the first half, it was Skopet FC who drew first blood. The resistance put up by Squad Boulevard's defence finally broke. A weak clearance found right-winger Syahir just inside the penalty box, who took a half-volley at the bouncing ball to put the ball into the bottom right corner of the post, beyond the keeper's reach. A well-taken goal! The score remained as both teams head for the dug-out at half-time.
The second half saw Skopet FC starting very strongly, with Skopet FC's skipper, Fadly, coming close to double his team's lead after some fine work down the flank by injured-yet-still-play-like-there's-no-problem Rizman, who was on left-wing duty. Squad Boulevard, unnerved by the strong start by Skopet FC, capitalized on the chance presented to them by launching an immediate counter-attack. The swift counter-attack certainly stunned Skopet FC's defence into making an error, leaving Squad Boulevard's striker through on goal against Rudy. The front-man wasted no chance at all as he wrong-footed Skopet FC's custodian to bring the scores back to parity.
The goal certainly rose Squad Boulevard's confidence and many would have expected them to take the game to Skopet FC. However, Skopet FC were just as determined to maintain their winning streak in the league, and with that they continued the strong start they made in the second half. Skopet FC's left-winger, Rizman, was giving Squad Boulevard's right-back a torrid time and his efforts were soon rewarded. After shaking off his marker with his sublime skills and speed, Rizman sent in a delicious cross which found Skopet FC's skipper, Fadly, who ensured that he made no mistakes this time as he added one more to his goal tally and put Skopet FC on course for another victory.
From then on, it was cruise control for Skopet FC as they easily broke Squad Boulevard's attacks and continue to mount pressure on Squad Boulevard's goal in search of the goal to put the match in the bag. Frustration slowly crept into the ranks of Squad Boulevard. Mistakes became rampant as they tried to bring the game back to life. It was only a matter of time before Skopet FC got the goal that ended the match. Again, Skopet's in-form player of the match, Rizman, turned provider after making a fine overlapping run from his left-back position. The squared ball found Skopet FC's makeshift striker, Khaliq, unmarked in the middle of the six-yard box with only the keeper to beat. With time and space on his side, Khaliq picked a spot on the opponent's goal before firing the ball past the keeper for his first goal of the season and Skopet FC's third, putting the match beyond doubt.
Squad Boulevard's frustration finally became evident and got the better of one of their players after two successive yellow cards saw him heading for an early shower. Kudos to the two central midfielders, Hatta and Prem, for keeping their heads after ending up on the receiving end of the departed player's frustration.
Minutes later, the final whistle was blown. A well-taken victory for Skopet FC which certainly put them in a comfortable position to mount a serious title challenge.