Spartans G5: Stumbling Spartans

Tempers raged and emotions ran free last night when the Spartans finally lost out on the title race. Nothing less than a win was needed, but the Spartans failed to deliver when it was needed most.
*Even now, when the unpleasant memories of the game have faded slightly, the defeat still stings, and to write this is torture: Where did the Spartans go wrong?*
Or, maybe more accurately, where did the Spartans go right?
Not from the start, most definitely. The first few minutes already delivered two goals, the first from a freehit (typical). Shocked, but not struck down, Frontliners hit back, and Mekananth then Khor Kuan Yang scored.
The game lost its flow after that, with fouls and whistles punctuating the game every few minutes. It reached critical point when, after a FireAnts player fell, Jason Chan was sent out for pushing. He reacted, understandably but unexcusably, and it took some time for him to calm down beside the timekeeper and secretary.
Just before the break FireAnts scored once more.

2-3 at the break.

Team Captain, Kuan Yang did all the talking during half-time, and he urged the Spartans to keep their focus and go for the win.
Second period, and a second chance to prove themselves all over again.

The FireAnts, though, were on song that day, and Sharron at her best could not keep out all their shots. After some very magnificent saves by her, Contact finally added to their tally.
The crowd, which comprised mostly of FireAnts supporters, were getting louder and more confident, and it did show as Frontliners were getting more and more pressured to find two goals. Finally the tension snapped, when Mekananth fell down upfield, and some of the crowd's comments were less than respectful. Kew Pei Li lost her cool near the crowd and retaliated back.
The Spartans were a mental wreck right then, and the FireAnts ran loose all over; only terrific defending by Sanjeevan and wonderful goalkeeping by Sharron kept them at bay. Captain Marvel Kuan Yang ran over every yard of space, sweating buckets to keep the scoreline respectable.
Sadly, one loss of concentration invited a poacher's finish from Bryan Looi of the FireAnts.
Still not defeated, however, and buoyed on by the five Frontliners supporters at the other end, the Spartans pulled one back, but it was too little, too late.

3-5, final score.

The players worked extra-time to keep a smile on their faces (or at least keep from breaking down) as they lined up to exchange handshakes and high-fives. The battle had been lost, and the Spartans were like shell-shocked soldiers who had just gone through hell.
Before the game, team manager and coach Jason Chan said this:
"As long as we play like champions we will always be champions."
And when we don't, victory is always only one step, one effort, one last push away.
Period.