By REDintern Kenneth Tan

Jalan Besar Stadium, Wednesday, February 17, 2010 – Newcomers Etoile FC failed to follow up on their impressive debut performance last week and barely managed to scrape a 2-2 draw right at the death against perennial strugglers Sengkang Punggol FC.

Both sides had managed their first victories last week over Beijing Guoan Talent FC and Gombak United FC respectively, and went into the match brimming with confidence.

Etoile in particular had won praise from the local football fraternity for their wide array of skills unseen yet so far in the S. League.

Etoile stated their intent right from the start as they began to pump in high crosses into the box hoping to exploit the Sengkang defence which managed to clear the danger. However the first real chance fell to Sengkang in the fifth minute.

Left winger Sobrie Mazelan (SK #17) whipped in a cross from the left flank and forward Moussa Keita (SK #9) headed wide of the right-hand post despite being unmarked.

The first half-hour was largely dominated by Etoile as they controlled the game with their fluid movement and passing, making it hard for the Sengkang players to intercept the ball. Flavien Michelini (Etoile #17) in particular was the man at the heart of Etoile's attacking force as he spread his team's play by spraying passes all over the pitch.

Sengkang adopted an aggressive approach to stifle Etoile's play as they received 3 yellow cards within the first 23 minutes of the game.

In the 11th minute, Etoile forward Matthias Verschave (Etoile #9) headed just wide of the right-hand post from a cross by right-back Daniel Nna (Etoile #14). Then on 20 minutes, Verschave flicked a pass right into the path for striker Frederic Mendy (Etoile #12) who held off Sengkang defender Shahir Hamzah (SK #6) well before getting a fierce shot away. The shot brought out a great save from goalkeeper Fadhil Salim (SK #15) who tipped it over the bar.

From the resulting corner, Sengkang did not clear their lines. The ball fell to Michelini who hooked a cross back into the penalty area and Verschave managed to get a neat connection with his head. The ball looked destined for the bottom right-hand corner of the net before Fadhil somehow managed to block the shot with his trailing legs.

Sengkang gradually started to grow into the game after the half-hour mark. Jalal's (SK #16) free kick into the box was lobbed over Etoile goalkeeper Yohann Lacroix (Etoile #1) by Shahir, but it was called back for a foul by Shahir on Lacroix.

Sengkang had a penalty claim two minutes later as right winger Jordan Webb (SK #2) went on a mazy dribble down the left flank and cut inside Loic Leclercq (Etoile #5) who appeared to have brought down Webb inside the box but the referee waved away his claims. The French supporters in the stands appeared anxious as they began to be more vocal in their support.

Sengkang's pressure finally paid off on the 36th minute. From a long ball, Webb won the ball in the air and flicked it on for Moussa Keita who got past Leclercq easily with a great turn of pace. Keita strode into the box, with three defenders tracking back and only Lacroix to beat, he hit a low unerring shot into the bottom left corner. The goal left the French supporters shell-shocked as their team paid the price for not finishing their chances.

Fadhil continued to frustrate Etoile between the sticks with his incredible reflexes. In the 42nd minute, Verschave's cross from the right was met with a leaping header from Mendy, but Fadhil got down well to tip it away at his bottom right-hand post. Mendy was first to the loose ball and looked destined to score against Fadhil who was on the ground, but the latter managed to block his shot and grasped the ball at the second attempt.

Mendy tried to pressure the Sengkang defenders thereafter but got frustrated as the referee awards a number of fouls against him. Etoile's frustrations was evident as Sengkang substitute Mamadou Diallo (#22) received rough treatment twice within two minutes from Cyril Bagnost (#7) and Khalid KharroubI. Both players got yellow cards for their efforts. Etoile coach Patrick Vallee could be seen holding his head in his hands, seemingly disbelieving what he had just witnessed.

Etoile looked rejuvenated after the break as they began to mount a number of attacks. Midfielder Julien Deletraz (Etoile #18) had a shot outside the box tipped over the bar by Fadhil, while Mendy saw his effort in the box go well wide of the right-hand post. Their efforts did not go unrewarded as they finally equalised on the 57th minute.

Michelini's through ball into the box for Verschave was intercepted by a sliding Sim Li Ming (SK #23). However the loose ball fell to Mendy who needed no second invitation and curled the ball right into the right-hand corner of the goal which left Fadhil rooted to the spot. The jubilant Mendy pointed to his teammates who were standing the stands in celebration, and Vallee could be seen jumping up from the bench in delight.

Etoile started to dominate for the next 15 minutes with their midfield, preventing Sengkang from getting the ball. Left back Karim Boudjema (Etoile #11) saw his curling free kick palmed away by the ever-impressive Fadhil, then Verschave's backheeled effort was collected by Fadhil at the second attempt. Once again, Etoile failed to take their chances and they soon paid the price.

Sengkang's next significant attempt on goal came on the 76th minute. Diallo won a free kick near the right flank after a foul by Nordine Talhi (Etoile #22). Jalal swung in the resulting dead ball into the box, Shahir flicked on a powerful header towards the bottom right-hand post but keeper Lacriox tipped the ball away.

Then one minute later, Sengkang retook the lead. Midfielder Murphy Wiredu (SK #7) intercepted a poor pass from outside the penalty area and proceeded to make an outside foot pass to Jordan Webb who was coming from the right. With an option to cross it to Moussa Keita, he decided to go alone and shot from a tight angle.

The ball went through Lacroix's legs to the delight of the Sengkang player who celebrated with the Sengkang supporters in the stands. This was his third goal in as many games for Sengkang this season, and he is already proving to be an inspired signing.

Sengkang further frustrated the French in the 85th minute as they executed their offside trip to perfection when a free kick swung in, trapping three Etoile players offside at the same time.

Sengkang had a chance to extend their lead one minute later when substitute Farizal Basri's low shot to the bottom right corner was saved by Lacroix's fingertips.

The last few minutes of the match belonged to Etoile as their coach urged them to push forward for the equaliser. Sengkang coach Aide Iskandar also put on tall defender R Sivaneswaran to counter the Etoile's attacks.

Mendy headed straight at Fadhil after a floating cross from Nna from the right, then substitute Anthony Moulin (Etoile #19) got his connection all wrong as he headed well wide from a left-wing cross.

Michelini then got past Lau Meng Meng (SK #18) on the left touchline and his cross eluded every Etoile player in the box and went wide.

The match looked destined for a Sengkang victory, before Etoile popped up to spoil the party in the fourth and last minute of injury time. Michelini released Talhi down the left flank, the latter made a hanging cross into the Sengkang box. The ball reached Moulin who was lurking at the far post and he headed it back across goal for Verschave who stole in and reached the ball with a header before Fadhil could collect.

Murphy Wiredu tried his utmost best to head the ball off the line but to no avail, as he only helped it into the top right corner of the goal. The whole Etoile bench erupted while the Sengkang players appeared dejected as the final whistle came barely 10 seconds after the restart.

With the 2-2 draw, Etoile FC stand in fifth position in the 12-team league table with one win and one draw after two matches played.

Sengkang Punggol FC are in sixth position with one win, one draw and one defeat from their three matches played so far.