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Match Review By Gerald Tan
Final Score: MFC Blue (Chris Tan) 1 : 2 MFC Gold (Guo Xian, Gifford)
MFC's players turnout has been exceeded again! This weekend, there were a total of 24 players available for soccer. Given the huge attendance, the only way to satisfy the football thirst of all players: A friendly between MFC Gold and MFC Blue.
Throughout the week, Captain Walter researched some tactics and before play, he briefed both teams on the tactics they should adopt and how they should be playing. It should be noted that the tactics are not irrelevant; they are to help prepare us for the upcoming league season.
With the team spilt into 2, here are the 2 sets of players. MFC Gold: Chris Lau, Wee Hian, Eric Ng, Howard, Kartik, Alex, Norris, Silas, Gerald, Daren Jay, Guo Xian, Gifford.
MFC Blue: Cross, Alan, Firdaus, Shaun, Walter, Zirong, Eric Tay, Jason, Hanrong, Jonathan, Chris Tan, Calvin.
The match started off brightly for both teams. Both teams displayed some good passing and had some decent chances to score. MFC Gold were faster off the blocks though; Guo Xian had an opportunity when put through one on one with the goalkeeper but Cross was on hand to thwart Guo Xian's effort. On the opposite side, Jonathan and Chris Tan's strike partnership was starting to bore fruit; they got into good positions on several occasions, only to fail due to diligent defending from Wee Hian, Kartik, Howard and Alex.
Some of the tactics preached were also put into play. MFC Gold tried to form a formidable attack line with Kartik, Silas and Norris and that partnership was showing some promise; Norris breached the opposite defence on several occasions with his pace and trickery.
MFC Blue had a glorious chance to go ahead when MFC Gold goalkeeper Chris Lau handled a back pass. The referee blew for a indirect freekick in the penalty box and MFC Gold was forced to line the goalpost with players to defend the goal. The resulting kick did not breach the defence and was cleared with relative ease. It ended 0-0 at the end of the first half.
The second half begun with the same team instructions but the game was in desperate need for a goal. Both teams had socring opportunities; MFC Blue were especially guilty of missing several good chances when they breached the MFC Gold defence on a few occasions. The first goal did come against the run of play. Guo Xian grabbing his 3rd in as many games since pre-season started when he latched onto a loose ball and drove a long and high shot over Cross.
MFC Blue was not disheartened as they poured forward for an equalizer. It soon came from a free kick. Alex's freekick was meant at the near post by Chris Tan who reacted the fastest among a static defence. From close range, he made no mistake in putting the ball home. MFC Blue was on a high and looked for the winning goal.
With time running out, MFC Gold got the winning goal with virtually the last attack of the game. Gerald disposessed Zirong to toe poke the ball into the path of an advancing Gifford who broke away from his marker. Cross duly came out to intercept him but Gifford's low shot evaded him and went into the bottom corner of the goal. There was calls for offside but the referee's decision was final.
The result hardly mattered though; both teams played their hearts out and there was several positives to take out from this training match. There can be nothing more to ask for from all the players who gave their all today.
High Points
1) Jonathan and his partnership with Chris Tan is begining to grow
2) Jonathan's good positioning in the attacking half of the field
3) The usual good performances from some players like Eric, Alan, Wee Hian, Firdaus and Zirong
4) Cross's kicking and reading of the game has improved; His one on one save against Guo Xian was a testament of his improvement
5) Norris' individual skill and trickery is quite a spectacle to see and was on display today
6) Dedication and willingness to learn displayed by all players today
7) A good pitch and fair weather despite earlier rain
Low Points
1) 1st runner up: Tampines Vista?
2) Some tactics taught have not yet been perfected
3) Did anyone realize the night lighting at the field has been taken down?
4) Some players felt the match should have been longer; suspicions abound that the referee cut the match time short to go off.
5) Was the last goal offside?
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