Final Score: Loyalty FC 4: 6 MFC (Norris, Guo Xian(2), Silas, Eric, Alex)
Illustration of the action on the pitch | MFC came into the 2nd league match of the season not knowing what to expect from Loyalty FC as there were no previous encounters between the two teams. The match started after the scheduled 3.30pm kick off due to a heavy downpour earlier but this was the start of a great game that MFCians would remember for a long time to come. MFC began the first half with 4-4-2 formation consisting of Cross, Kartik, Captain Eric, Firdaus, Silas, Daren Jay, Jonathan, Han Rong, Augustine, Guo Xian and Gifford. MFC started off nervously and allowed Loyalty FC to dictate the pace. MFC gave away two early goals due to poor defending. A Loyalty FC corner was poorly cleared and an opposition player bundled the ball from close range. Soon after, Loyalty FC doubled their advantage. |
Down but not out, MFC came back strongly and pulled a goal back. A beautifully weighted through ball over the Loyalty FC’s defence by Alex released Guo Xian and with only the goalkeeper to beat, he kept his cool and lifted the ball over the on-rushing goalkeeper. MFC continued to press for the equalizer but minutes before halftime and against the run of play, Loyalty FC got their third goal. Alex was unfairly robbed of the ball just outside the penalty box and in the resultant scuffle, a Loyalty FC player managed to slot the ball into the top right corner. Soon after, the referee blew for half-time. 3-1 down, MFC knew they had a lot of work to do in the second half.
During the half time team talk, Guo Xian and Captain Eric highlighted that MFC was giving too much time and space to Loyalty FC and urged MFC to go for every loose ball and close down Loyalty FC every time they had possession. Finally they urged the team to show more commitment and belief in themselves.
With a rousing team cheer, MFC took to the second half with a more determined look on their faces.
The second half started with MFCians responding to the team prep talk. MFC’s second goal came when Gifford chased a long ball down the right and crossed it low to Guo Xian who laid it off to Silas. Silas’s first shot was initially saved by the keeper but he made no mistake with the rebound. MFC continued to pile on the pressure but a defensive hiccup allowed Loyalty to score their fourth goal to make it 4 - 2 to them.
What happened after that was truly one for the ages. Instead of admitting to defeat, MFC astonishingly scored four consecutive goals that showed a never-say-die spirit within MFCians. First up, Eric got on the score sheet by firing home a low shot when Loyalty FC failed to clear the ball during a corner kick. Alex equalized when he scored a gem of a goal from way out of Loyalty FC’s penalty area. From a poor clearance by Loyalty FC, Alex deftly controlled the ball and let fly with a first time shot that dipped in the top left corner leaving the keeper stranded.
MFC finally took a well deserved lead when a quickly taken set piece by Alex was struck low and hard by Guo Xian which went through a sea of bodies and into the back of the net. MFC moved 2 goals ahead when another set piece taken by Alex was met at the back post by an unmarked Norris who volleyed into the net to make the final score 6-4 in favour of MFC.
For MFC, this was a game of 2 halves. The first half was lacklustre and was not typical of the MFC’s spirit. The second half truly showed the determination and team spirit of MFC. The never-say-die attitude propelled the team to a remarkable 5 goal feast in the second half and helped overcome a 2 goal deficit at half time. This thriller will be firmly etch in MFCians’ minds for a long while.
6 points from 2 games – what a start to the season!
High Points
1) MFC’s much improved second half performance that showed a never-say-die spirit
2) Alex’s three assists and one goal proved what an influential player he is
3) Guo Xian’s 2nd and 3rd goals of the season
4) Silas’s first goal for MFC. Keep it up!
5) Good turnout by MFC players despite the earlier downpour
Low Points
1) The lacklustre first half
2) Better team communication in the future matches
All photos courtesy of Chris Lau (www.chrisjhpixels.com)
Album: http://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m392/maestrofootballclub/Match%20Pics/26_04_09%20MFC%20VS%20Loyalty%20FC/
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