Final Score: MFC Gold (Jonathan,Jason,Gerald(2),Guo Xian) 5 : 0 MFC Blue (Mixed)
Today's match scoreline was certainly no walkover if it was judged by efforts alone. Due to a lack of players to form 2 teams, about 5-6 other players from another team had to be asked to join MFC Blue for the training match between MFC Gold and Blue.
The lineups were as follows:
MFC Gold: Cross, Walter(c), Eric, Firdaus, Zirong, Gerald, Jason, Calvin, Howard, Guo Xian, Jonathan
MFC Blue: Chris Lau, Wee Hian, Small Eric, Norris, Alex(c), Terence(Small Eric's friend) + 5 other chinese players
| The match started right off as a lopsided match, with MFC Gold taking the game to MFC Blue and it was not long before the first goal came courtesy of Jonathan. A freekick was received by Jonathan and he expertly turned away from his marker to score with a close range shot. The second goal that came soon after was courtesy of Jason who made a run into the penalty box, avoiding 2 challenges before scoring with a low shot. For all their efforts, MFC Blue could not come close to scoring; strikers Norris and Terence could not find an understanding to make the breakthrough needed. |
The task was made all the more tougher with Terence's lack of match fitness. Alex was running the MFC Blue midfield but there was a lack of communication between him and the other midfielders. Wee Hian and small Eric were also having a tough day in defence, repelling waves of attacks from MFC Gold (think small Eric's sliding tackles). The other defenders were having a torrid time, with Howard giving their right back the runaround on more than a few occasions. Wee Hian put in a good shift though; his good ball control and skills getting him out of trouble on a few occasions.
The first half ended 2-0 to MFC Gold and the 2nd half began in similar fashion. MFC Blue made some changes, with Norris dropping back to defence and the chinese players moving upfront. That was a wise change as Norris thwarted MFC Gold's attacks time and time again.
| As time passed, MFC Gold players were getting more confident as they stroked the ball around more often than they did in previous games. There was a balance to their game, mix of long and short passes, fast breaks and slow buildups. MFC Blue also improved in the second half and they almost got on the score sheet when one of the chinese attackers broke through the defence but failed to score from close range. Cross also came kept them at bay when he won a battle of one-on-one with a chinese striker. MFC Gold's 3rd goal, thanks to a stroke of pure luck, came from Gerald. A deflected shot from Jonathan found its way to Gerald who was happened to be near the far post. His first time scruffed shot caught Chris Lau unaware as the ball trickled slowly into the net. |
If that was pure luck, the 4th goal was based on hard work. A fast break from the right flank by Calvin led to a brillant low cross from him into the penalty box. Guo Xian was nearest to the ball but with a defender marking him tightly, he could not reach the ball in time. Gerald, who ran from midfield, was next in line, shrugging off a shoulder challenge from another defender to toe poke the ball beyond Chris Lau from close range for the 4th goal.
Guo Xian then completed the rout with his first goal of the game (and his first goal wearing his green Nikes). Guo Xian was bearing down the MFC Blue defence when a mis-cued clearance from the goalkeeper was followed up by a persistent Guo Xian who made no mistake in drilling a low shot from a tight left angle into the net.
The match ended 5-0 but it was not a one sided affair. The better players in MFC Blue were the MFC players and all of them played their hearts out to get on the scoresheet. Besides that, they all showed professionalism when chosen to play for a mixed team and the whole team recognized this.
Well done MFC!
High Points
1) Professionalism and Sportmanship showned by small Eric, Wee Hian, Norris, Alex, Chris Tan
2) Good and confident passing by MFC Gold
3) Fast counter attacks by Calvin
4) The New Paper photographer! Look out for the next Weekend Warriors on Thursday or check back here for the article!
5) Finally! Guo Xian's 1st goal in his green Nikes!
6) Partnership between Guo Xian and Jonathan begining to show some progress
Low Points
1) Muddy field...hard to run and pass the ball around
2) We want Water! Half time drinks please..
3) MFC Blue playing in a mixed team with other players from other teams
4) Chris Lau can definitely play better! We want an improved performance from him
All photos courtesy of Rachel & Chris Lau (www.chrisjhpixels.com)
Album: http://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m392/maestrofootballclub/Training%20Kickabouts/22%20March%202009%20Training%20Match/
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