Final Score: Eastchester View 3 : 1 MFC (Alex (1))
| After suffering a defeat to heavyweights Sunsports Outside last week, there was no respite for MFC this week, as the opponents were certainly no lightweights. Eastchester View, a team full of seasoned players with technical ability and pace was looking to extend their unbeaten run so far by repeating their 7-0 performance last season against MFC. For MFC, this was a match for redemption. Due to the Adidas Sundown Marathon, MFC started the match without key regulars like Captain Eric and Alan. Without them, the defence had its work cut out for them. TP make up for their absence, Hanrong had to drop back as a centre back. |
The first half started in hurried fashion, with Eastchester pushing for an early goal. MFC did well to hold them off with a series of clearances. Eastchester were especially threatening from the right and left flanks where they had 2 lurking wingers awaiting for the cross field pass. That move paid off for Eastchester; their first goal came courtesy of a long cross field ball which found its way to the right winger who beat the MFC defence and sent his shot into the top left corner of the goal.
The second goal came again for Eastchester; this time, via a corner kick which was not cleared out quickly enough. The cross was headed back into the penalty area and it somehow beat the keeper at his far post. It was not all Eastchester though; MFC had their chances too via Norris. Norris had 2 great chances to put MFC level but due to great goalkeeping, MFC remained scoreless.
MFC were also lucky on several occasions; thanks to goalkeeper Chris Lau who pulled off a few good saves. 2-0 down during halftime, it was clear that many MFCians lost the drive to fight back. Guo Xian, together with Eric and Walter, decided to employ different tactics in the second half. In a bid to wrest back control of the centre midfield and to stop attacks, MFC placed 3 players there.
The second half was much better; with a 3 man midfield and Calvin, replacing Augustine in the Destroyer role, dropping deeper to protect the defence, MFC was able to hold onto possession for periods in the second half. Sadly, the third goal for Eastchester came; a poor call from Referee Koh who failed to notice the goalscorer was offside.
3-0 up, Eastchester was in their domain, stroking the ball around their players and frustrating MFCians who were trying their best to win possesion. TO MFC's credit, every player did not give up; everyone was trying their best to stop Eastchester's attacks but with the clock winding down, surely it was too late for a sensational comeback.
MFC did eventually get on the scoresheet in the last 5 minutes of the game. Guo Xian was brought down in the penalty box and Alex duly converted it to make it 3-1. That's the way the match ended. With 2 defeats in a row, MFC must now win the next match to stop the rot and resume the title aspirations. Though the final scoreline was more respectable compared to the 7-0 thrashing last season, Eastchester View showed MFC today that they too will fight for the title till the very end.
High Points
1) Lil Eric was very effective as a left back. He shut out theit right winger and made several important interceptions
2) Augustine's man marking in the first half was good; the striker hardly got a shot in between
3) Chris Lau played well; He made some good stops and his reading of the game has also improved
4) Captain Eric's involvement in the game even though he just completed the 42km Sundown Marathon
Low Points
1) Referee Koh makes it to our Low Points list again; his neutrality and professionalism can be called to question as he was encouraging Eastchester players during the game
2) Confusion over the formation in the first half which was caused by miscommunications
3) MFC players starting to go against each other. More restrain and control towards your teammates need to be shown
All photos courtesy of Rachel & Chris Lau (www.chrisjhpixels.com)
Album: http://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m392/maestrofootballclub/Match%20Pics/31_05_09%20MFC%20VS%20Eastchester%20View/
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