| Match Review by Gerald Tan Final Score: MFC Blue (Gerald, Guo Xian(2)) 3 : 3 MFC Gold (Zeng Yi, Gifford, Daren Jay) After a few close scorelines between the MFC Blue and Gold, today's draw was surely not a surprise. What was different however was the turnout. Today's attendance was the largest so far; a total of 25 players turned up, partially to attend a New Paper interview which did not materialise:0( On the bright side, MFC welcomed back Zeng Yi after a long time away due to NS committments. There was no pre match briefing, no tactics discussed today, only freedom to play in whichever style fancied by the players. |
| MFC Blue: Cross, Eric, Firdaus, Zirong, Walter, Gerald, Alex, Jason, Shaun, Augustine, Guo Xian MFC Gold: Calvin, Chris Lau, Small Eric, Alan, Wee Hian, Howard, Kartik, Hanrong, Chris Tan, Jonathan, Daren, Gifford, Norris, Zeng Yi The match started off with MFC Gold doing well to command possesion and play some good football. MFC Blue was lucky on several occasions; Zeng Yi's pace and trickery was posing a huge threat on the right flank. After going close several times, Zeng Yi announced his return to MFC with a well taken goal. His pace and control of the ball took him past Zirong and Eric before a cool finish past Cross put the MFC Gold 1-0 up. |
MFC Blue was struggling to find their rhythm, the usual communication was absent and the ball was constantly lost in midfield, leaving the Blue's defence vulnerable to the Gold's attacks. It was a blow to MFC Blue when Gold scored their second from Gifford. He broke away from the defence and his well taken shot found the back of the net to put MFC Gold in a comfortable position.
| Gerald soon pulled one back for MFC Blue with a half volley which beat keeper Calvin at the far left post. Guo Xian was the creator as his persistence to chase a lost ball led to the ball finding its way to Gerald. The goal renewed some confidence in MFC Blue who played better to find the equalizer. The second half began with some player changes; Augustine reverted to MFC Gold while Jonathan and Norris came over to MFC Blue for a 4-4-2 formation change. MFC Gold continued where they left off with some good midfield control from Howard, Hanrong, Chris Tan. Also, MFC Blue still had not found a way to stop Zeng Yi, who looked dangerous each time he ventured deep into the Blue's penalty box. |
The third goal soon came, for MFC Gold. A cross which resulted in an unlucky header blunder by both Zirong and Eric somehow found its way to Daren who made no mistake from close range. It was a wakeup call to MFC Blue and their search for the second goal came soon through a penalty by Guo Xian who was bundled over by Kartik's attempt to block him out. A search for an equalizer ensued and Guo Xian was the scorer again. After receiving a low cross, his quick turn around the defender and a well placed low grounder shot was just missed by Chris Lau.
With the score locked at 3-3, both teams had chances getting the winning goal but a draw was probably the fairest result to settle the game. With next weekend's match against East Boyz being probably the last friendly before the season starts, MFC still needs to improve on various aspects of the game such as passing and team communications in order to bring up the playing standard.
High Points
1) Zeng Yi's performance showed that he never really left, did he? A few players were praising his performance today
2) MFC Gold's good midfield possesion by midfielders Hanrong and Chris Tan
3) The biggest attended match by MFC, we should have more of this in future
4) Agu, Agu!
5) Improvements in play from Augustine, Kartik and Jonathan
6) 2 free cartons of water from League Organizing Office, Ivy!
Low Points
1) The scorching heat left us sunburnt
2) Referee Xiao Li's "2 mins"
3) New Paper reporter's no show.
All photos courtesy of Rachel & Chris Lau (www.chrisjhpixels.com)
Album: http://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m392/maestrofootballclub/Training%20Kickabouts/8%20March%202009%20Training%20Match/
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