Referee kills the game

NATURALLY, Myanmar people are cool and genial. Also less social people compare to Filipino counterparts. But it went wild when they see serial unfair decision by young referee on RHB Singapore Cup 2012, quarter final first lap. Myanmar migrant workers in lion city never failed to support whenever it come a chance to watch Myanmar players play abroad. The fans arrived at Jalan Besar Stadium gradually as the playing time closer in. First, the stadium management closed upper terrace of stand and later they opened the stair barrier to let fans access upper level of stand. As the game start, fans keep cheering their respective team and atmosphere in Jalan Besar is completely nice to enjoy. Like Myanmar's stand, Philippine's stand also full of footballing fans. But our people never failed to generate noisy environment to show their support to their beloving players from homeland. 

The game started well at the beginning and it become cautious when our players collect unnecessary yellow cards. At about 20 minutes to game, Philippine got a leading goal from the apparent offsite. KBZ defenders didn't chase as they thought it was off-site. But the game was on and Sparks forwards sent the ball home easily. Myanmar players tried to attack more in search of goal. As the game become more motivate, speed is needed to be part of the game. At one point, KBZ player wrongfully fight back and earned straight red card which severely affected chasing game of KBZ FC. The game end half time with a goal down for KBZ. Soon after second half KBZ put serious attack and one point, the ball seem in but referee disallowed it. Game become more tense and footballing fans began to show their frustration. The game might have changed the result if the goal was allowed for equalizer.

KBZ keep playing with one man down with the prospect of getting equalizer. But they see another red card for a player who see two yellow cards. The situation become bad to worse. What a decision by a referee? The game is already in critical condition. He should have given him a first warning for his offense before he hand out second yellow card. This show the poor quality of referee to manage the game properly. In addition, linesman made several wrong decisions to fuel people's angers. We are not professional but being footballing fans, we understand the rule of game. We understand what's right and what's wrong. Some of our fans started to throw objects at linesman to protest his unfair way of flagging. Some of those objects might have kiss him a bit. He ran center of the pitch in order to avoid further flying objects. 

The game was halted for about 5 minutes due to disgrace behavior of some footballing fans. It was 2:0 with two player down for KBZ. Management needed to ask KBZ team manager to appeal its supporters to show good manner. After manager please to supporters by mother language, the game continue to play. Fortunately, KBZ pull back one goal to reduce deficit to one goal. The game become more active and players resume confident. Myanmar fans back their team to its fullest in order to get equalizer. At the dying minutes, Sparks scored another goal that kill hope of our supporters. Good thing for our supporters is that KBZ managed to get precious away goal despite reduce to 9 players. We simply hope KBZ will come back stronger in coming Sunday's second lap. Definitely KBZ will need supporter's power on the do or die game. Hope KBZ players, this time, will not disappoint their fans by doing the same mistake.