DB Vets 3-2 Pak Lok FC (ICAC)
Scorers: Rudi, Moti, Scottie
Tuesday 10 April at Disciplined Services Sports and Recreation Club, So Kon Po, KO 7.00 p.m
Squad: Gianluca, Kieran C, Bazz, Steve, Morse, Stefano, Felipe, Dom, Rudi, Paul B, Sam, Scottie, Moti
An early getaway from work for the DB Vets on a balmy evening in Son Kon Po. We were on a full size grass pitch (in full view of HK Stadium) which looked deceptively flat but caused more than a few problems with some of our ball “control”. On an introduction from Kieran Chan, we were up against a team from the “Independent Commission against Corruption”, with one or two of our players looking slightly nervous as to whether they would be recognized by the opposition. Despite both sides having squads of only 13, we agreed on 3 thirds and each of us got a least 2 thirds.
We started the game keenly and were dominant in possession but without any clinical finish. “Bobbly pitch” excuses from several. The majority of the opposition seemed to be in their mid to late 40s but they knew how to play and worked well as a unit. We got a little bit too confident with our play out of defence and it was Pok Lok FC who scored first when they won the ball in an advanced position and developed a 2 on 1 against Steve. A rare moment of Asti Spumanti defending in an evening of with plenty of champagne moments.
Despite this setback, it was only going to be a matter of time before we equalized and we did so via a Rudi chip over the keeper from the edge of the area – modestly described by the scorer as “Bergkampesque”. We finished the first third at 1-1. We were even more dominant in the 2nd third, with Gianluca rarely called upon. We scored a fabulous goal with good work on the left flank, a hard low cross by Dom and a first time volley by Moti. During the 3rd third, Bazz and Steve came off at CB to be replaced by Paul and Stefano in a move that highlighted the cultural flexibility of the Vets, a bit like replacing no-nonsense Larry Lloyd and Kenny Burns with the sophistication of Paulo Maldini and Franco Baresi. Needless to say, Gianluca was called on a couple of times to make a couple of last ditch saves and Pok Lok FC had one saved on the line. However, Scottie put the game to bed with a ball from Moti that Scottie struck early from distance, fine goal. Although Pak Lok FC seemed to be running out of legs a bit, they stuck at it and were rewarded with a last minute goal from close range to make it 3-2 despite us having plenty of numbers in the box. At this stage there was the possibility of one of the ICAC members offering referee Bazz a bung to give them a bit of “Fergle” time but Bazz( with copy of the Bribery Ordinance in his back pocket) was having none of it. An enjoyable game, played in a good spirit and our thanks to Pak Lok FC for their hospitality.