All photos courtesy of Chris Lau
Album: http://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m392/maestrofootballclub/Match%20Pics/19_1_09%20MFC%20VS%20Eastchester%20View/
Match Review by Gerald Tan
Gold might have been the color of the jerseys MFC players wore today but it certainly did not bring out the championship qualities in the team. In this weekend's match, MFC faced Eastchester View for the 2nd time after an earlier 7-0 thrashing by them a few months back.
The team lineup was a familiar one, with defensive rock Firdaus making his return along with midfielders Norris and Alex. Some players were also playing in new positions; Silas took the goalkeeper role and Guo Xian started on the left flank, with Hanrong and Gifford as strikers in a 4 - 4 - 2 formation.
Eastchester View started the match from where they left off. They played with 3 strikers and they proved to be more than a handful for MFC. After a first few jittery minutes, Eastchester View scored from an excellent looping shot from the right penalty box into the goal's top left post. Guo Xian, suffering from thigh strain, was withdrawn soon after and without him leading the attack, MFC looked toothless upfront. Guo Xian's replacement, Chris Tan missed a glorious chance soon after coming on, giving the opposing goalkeeper something to think about in a match which rarely called upon his services.
The pace and technical ability of Eastchester View players is well known among MFC and their poise, control and speed enabled them to extend their lead twice in the first half, pegging MFC players back into their own half.
The first half ended in a 3 - 0 loss, a scoreline which could have been larger had Eastchester been more proflic in front of the 6 yard box. Vice Captain Eric's half time team talk addressed important issues but it was hard to lift the morale of the players who saw little hope of a revival, especially in the scorching afternoon sun.
The 2nd half begun with the same players but in a more attacking formation: 3 - 1 - 4 -2 as there was nothing to lose from adopting an attacking stance. The formation worked as MFC crowded out the midfield. With the extra man in midfield, MFC's left and right wingers were freed to freeze out Eastchester View's pacy right and left midfielders, restricting them to long balls which were easily intercepted by center midfielders Hanrong and Alex.
MFC also had more attacking chances but with the final ball being poor most of the time, clear cut chances were still far and beyond. In defence, the combination of Eric, Firdaus and Brian restricted Eastchester's chances. Eastchester did extend their lead again however, through a poorly cleared corner but the last goal of the game went to MFC's Norris, whose late long range shot went in off the left goal post, leaving the Eastchester View goalkeeper helpless.
Though the last league game of the season ended in a 4 - 1 defeat, it is encouraging to note from MFC's display in the 2nd half that the players are capable of matching their opponents but only if they work hard for each other.
High Points
1) Norris' goal. It was by far the best goal of the match
2) Return of defensive rockbed Firdaus
3) The tactical switch to a 3 - 1 - 4 - 2 formation leading to a better 2nd half
4) Gifford's versatility meant that he played in all the positions, except goalkeeper, in this match!
Low Points
1) Guo Xian's early exit
2) MFC's 1st half performance
3) No substitutes in the 2nd half which meant MFC had to play with 10 men on 1 occasion
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