A typical Saturday at the Japanese Association field, west of Singapore with a slight wind welcomed both teams, a young and fit Vikings outfit versus the ever experience yet spirited Rangers had the makings of great match!

The Rangers welcomed back Herr Bernd in the centre of defence and once again the Chidi and Ozzy combination upfront. Unfortunately a slow start by the Rangers - something the team needs to work on improving, that resulted in a goal by the Vikings from a corner inside 10 mins into the match after Tommy was left virtually unmarked. 0-1.

The goal against woke up the Rangers, however they were two goals down after an swift counter-attack move from Vikings ended in a second goal for Tommy.

From then on, Rangers had most of the possession but were let down by a lack of finishing in front of goal, but their persistence finally paid off with a well deserved goal by Joaquin connecting with his outstretch leg from a well timed cross by Ozzy.

We were right back in the game, but a lapse in concentration led to a bizarre goal when a free kick by Ozzy was deemed to have been played to Chema (which it was!), who stopped the ball and waited for the rest of the team to get in the box.  In the meantime, Tommy snatched the ball and ran half the length of the pitch to score his third!

A slight low point came when Jeremy had to be replaced due to a groin strain, we wish him a speedy recovery.

During the break there were a number changes to the Rangers line up. One of our new players Shuichi came in for Mark at left-mid, with Ken for Chema to take his post in the back giving Bernd the chance to move into the midfield and take control.

The second half started quite even with both teams exchanging good runs of play.  However a couple of lapses by the Rangers back four gave the Vikings their 4th and final 5th goal of the match.

Rangers pilled on the pressure and speed, repaid by a brilliant run by Ozzy and Joaquin on the right. Ozzy got a strike on goal with the rebound getting picked up by Bernd, goal! 2-5.

With 5 mins to go a good run by Shuichi on the left flank crossed the ball into the area, Steve hitting the ball inches wide to sum out the Rangers afternoon.

Tired legs gave further chances to both teams but the score line remained as is, a fair game played by both teams good luck to the Vikings for the rest of their campaign, thank lads

Luis

Alvaro Padron, Craig Albrightson, Shane Kubota, Bernd Schiele, Jeremy Kirkman (40 – Peter Hoving), Gura Miah, Joaquin Herrera (75 – Ruben Oggel), Jose-Maria Blanco (45 – Ken Whitaker), Marc Hogberg (45 – Shuichi Matsuda), Ozzy Uzor, Chidi (55 – Steve Black)

Unused Subs:

Todd Koning, Luis Zavaleta