Match Review by Gerald Tan
After losing the last three matches, Maestro FC looked for the perfect opportunity to seek redemption; through a friendly with Barcalavaii FC. With fresh memories of the 7 - 0 trouncing the last time they met, revenge was on the minds of the MaestroFCians.
The omens were not good though, with defensive lynchpin Firdaus, midfield maestros Alan Chiang and Jason Song all absent. Enter Gifford Loh, Eric (Small) and debutant Daren Jay. Gifford occupied his favored winger role and small Eric was at left back. Daren Jay took up defensive duties with Eric.
Maestro adopted the usual 4-5-1 formation; The only tactical change: Alex occupying a deeper and more defensive midfield holding role. The match started with Maestro pushing Barcalavaii deep in their own half. Early exchanges signalled that this was more than a friendly match. For the first 15 mins, Maestro passed the ball comfortably around the Barcalavaii half, restricting them to long balls easily intercepted by the midfield and defence.
The first goal came against the run of play. Barcalavaii took advantage of a defensive error to score their first goal. Maestro soon hit back, with a freekick from Alex. He chipped the freekick towards Norris, who escaped the offside trap to square the ball to Guo Xian. Barcalavaii thought the referee would call for offside but the whistle never came. Guo Xian duly escaped his marker and scored his first with a tap in.
The first half ended 1-1 but right after the break, Barcalavaii scored their 2nd from a poor corner clearance. Maestro then hit back with a well deserved penalty. Howard's cross from the left was received by Norris in the penalty box and he was illegally obstructed by his marker. The referee called for a penalty which Guo Xian put away in the right side of the goal.
By now, the game turned scrappy, with lots of wayward passing and tackles. Barcalavaii scored their 3rd and 4th through defensive miscommunications to give them a 2 goal lead with just about 20 mins to go. Just when it seemed all over, Guo Xian scored what arguably was the goal of the match. Receiving a pass, Guo Xian ran towards the goal and unleashed a long range, dipping shot which caught everyone unaware. The keeper was off position and the ball dipped suddenly at the top right corner. C.Ronaldo would have been proud of the goal.
It was the perfect response for Maestro and with renewed belief, they swarmed forward in search of the equalizer. They got it at the final attack of the game. A corner taken by Alex was within volley range for big Eric and he took his chance. His goal bound shot was intercepted by Gifford who tried to shoot but was obstructed. The ball fell loose to Gerald who was standing near the left far post and he unleashed a shot off the inside of the left post for the well deserved equalizer.
MaestroFCians, sensing a victory on the cards, requested an additional 5 mins of added time to be played. As both teams went all out for the winning goal, Barcalavaii got it, through the final attack of the extended time. Barcalavaii's corner was cleared off by Walter but it was headed back in by one of the opposing players. Another Barca player, well positioned in the penalty box, reacted the fastest with a second header who flew past Cross.
5-4 the match ended but it was the perfect response to the earlier 7-0 drubbing from Barcalavaii. MaestroFCians outplayed their opponents today and rested any demons from the 7-0 drubbing.
High Points:
1)Guo Xian's screamer of a goal
2)Debutant Daren Jay in his first match for MFC
3)Gerald's equalizer
4)Alex and Hanrong pulling midfield strings
5)Small Eric's overlapping runs with Howard providing cover
6)Big Eric's usual 5 star performance
Low Points
1)Defensive miscommunications
2)Studs up challenges and rough tackles
3)The referee who was hesitant in some of his calls
4)Barcalavaii FC goalkeeper's antics on Guo Xian
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