Ramblers were given a real fight by basement side CCFC on Saturday in their Chinese Super League match but eventually grinded out a 4-3 win after leading 1 nil and allowing CCFC to stage a dramatic fightback, taking the lead twice! Max and Brown's first goal of the campaign, including a stunner from Shukor and Poay's 5th goal in 7 games was enough to see Ramblers take all 3 points from a breathtaking match.
Fielding a very solid side which included JJ, Jason, Hasrul, Roy and Fajar, CCFC didn't look like they belong rooted to the bottom of the league. But within 10 minutes of the match, Max had suggested otherwise by drilling in goal number 1 after being picked out brilliantly by Puga unmarked. Roy and Johnny seemed agitated by such a lack of concentration and they rallied their troops. Fajar and Hasrul responded aggressively by marauding down Rambler's left hand side time and again which had the less pacy Michael on duty. And their countless raids finally yielded a goal when a long cross over Michael allowed Hasrul to race ahead of the veteran and he delivered a pinpoint cross from the byline into the box. The ball sailed over Adrian's head and Jason chested the ball down before unleashing an unstopable shot pass Chris to tie the game. CCFC build their confidence on that goal as Ramblers looked for answers. As the men in black went in search of another goal, Poay skimmed the crossbar and JJ was a massive figure at the back, repelling attack after attack almost single-handedly.
CCFC, who seemed unperturbed by Ramblers' reputation, took a surprise lead when Fajar crossed to Roy on the edge of the box after a botched sliding clearance from out-of-form Adrian to smash the ball crisply beyond the keeper's reach. That goal did little to suggest that Ramblers had deserved the reputation they had build so hard to achieve in the past year. So it was no surprise that CCFC adjourned for half-time with smiles on their faces while Ramblers were being given a lecture by Coach Mustafa.
The restart saw a trio of substitutions with Manager Michael taking over from Chris, Au coming on for Puga and Keong replacing Michael at leftback. Ramblers pushed forward optimistically, believing that a goal was inevitable and they peppered CCFC's goal with shots. Brown was making a nuinsance of himself and JJ was trying to cope with his physical play and off-the-ball runs. However, the pressure soon told as Brown shrugged off JJ's challenge to get to a through ball and rounded CCFC's custodian to level the game. It looked like normal order was restored. Au, Poay and Benni were back in control of midfield and they strung together some very intricate passess to leave CCFC's midfield chasing shadows. But Rambler's defensive frailties offered CCFC a glimmer of hope. A freekick out on the right was crossed in by Jason and Adrian somehow mistimed his clearance to leave the ball bouncing through his legs for Hasrul to pounce and left the number 7 free to take a shot. Although Michael did get a hand to his effort, he only managed to palm the ball in off his left hand post and CCFC celebrated another goal.
Shukor meanwhile had other ideas. Right from the kick-off, a cross to the left saw Shukor racing down the flank, beating the rightback and sending a low shot pass a desparing Johnny. The response was swift and exemplary of Rambler's attitude of not giving up. The battle from then on raged back and forth until Au, probably trying to emulate Kaka's first goal against Egypt in the Confed Cup, guided the ball over JJ's feet and the burly Omani bodychecked the gangly midfielder who fell in the box. The referee pointed to the spot and Poay stepped up to take the spotkick. He send the keeper the wrong way and claimed his 5th goal of the tournament. CCFC did throw everything they had at Ramblers but it was probably too little too late and they held on for a less than deserved victory.
Final Score:
Ramblers 4 – CCFC 3
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