3/5/2009 MFC Vs Sino CHN FC Match Review & Photos

Match Review by Gerald Tan
Final Score: Sino CHN FC 3 : 2 MFC (Guo Xian, Chris Tan)

Riding high on confidence from a 2 match unbeaten streak, Maestro went into this weekend's league match with high expectations against familiar opponents Sino CHN FC. Possessing arguably the league's fastest, trickiest players, Maestro knew they had their hands full for this game. After the pre match training and warmup led by Guo Xian, Maestro was briefed on team tactics. Playing in a 4-4-2 formation, the team had a familiar look to it, barring the absence of regulars like Alex, Norris, Daren, Cross and Alan. The first half begun with Sino Chn stroking the ball around confidently, maintaining possession and trying to hit MFC through their pacy right and left wingers.

Warmup & Match action

That strategy bore fruit as they got a goal early on. A seemingly routine interception by keeper Calvin from a left flank cross turned into a blunder after the ball bounced off Calvin's hands. Zirong, on the goal line, tried to clear the goal bound ball but his clearance bounced off the cross bar and into the goal.

The rest of the match action

Maestro's reaction was almost immediate courtesy of Guo Xian's current rich goalscoring form. Gerald got possession in midfield and spotting Guo Xian's run into the opponent's penatly box, he lofted a weighted long ball into his path. Guo Xian shrugged off a defender's challenge and calmly put the ball past the keeper with a well taken shot from just inside the penalty box. Sino Chn got back their lead again when they floated in a cross from the left flank. Miscommunication between Calvin and the defenders led to failure to quickly clear that cross. The ball fell to one of the opponents to score from close range.

With halftime approaching, Maestro pressed on for the equalizer and they got it. Guo Xian, this time the provider, played a great pass into the path of Chris Tan, who charged into the penalty box. Chris Tan did well to score with a well placed shot at the bottom right of the goal.

So with the teams tied 2-2 at halftime, MFC went for a 4-5-1 formation which would provide more midfield cover in the second half. With confidence to get the win, MFC started the second half with renewed vigour but they were quickly brought down to earth as a third goal was conceded just a few minutes into the second half. Sino Chn played a clever through ball down the middle which caught MFC's defence by surprise. The ball was chased by a striker, who won the one on one challenge with Calvin.

Though Maestro was on the back foot again for the third time in this match, they tried their best to create more chances. This was made harder by the fact that Sino Chn's wingers were giving the right, left backs and the midfielders a hard time with their pace and skills. Credit to the defenders Walter, Eric, Firdaus, Zirong, Lil Eric who put in an extra shift to keep them out.

Maestro also received no favours from the referee of the day; Mr Koh. He was effectively the "12th man" as put by one MFC player as the effects of his refereeing decisions ranged from inconsistent to dubious.

Upfront, Guo Xian was leading the way but with Sino's defence quick to clamp down any possible attacks, chances were far and few. As the clock wound down, Maestro pressed harder for the equalizer. They almost got it from Guo Xian, who cut in with the ball from the right flank and blasted it towards to top right of the goal. Sino's keeper did well to deny him with a brillant one handed diving save. Kartik also almost earned the equalizer right at the death. A low cross from the right evaded the entire Sino defence and goalkeeper but with an open goal at his mercy, Kartik's slide in shot was bundled out for a goal kick.

The final whistle came soon after and the faces of the players spoke of disappointment and dejection. After 2 wins, Maestro was finally brought back down to earth with a narrow defeat. It should have been a third win fro MFC but as aptly put by Guo Xian during the post match debrief, "It was a game of mistakes". With this defeat, Maestro will learn from the mistakes made and emerge stronger, starting from the next match with EASB GTR.

High Points
1) MFC's effort in coming back twice to equalize showed how much the team wanted to win
2) Guo Xian's well taken 4th goal means he continues his mean goal scoring streak
3) Chris Tan finally broke his duck for his first league goal
4) Extra shift put in by the Maestro defence: Walter, Eric, Kartik, Firdaus, Howard, Zirong, Lil Eric

Low Points
1) The inability to cope with the threat from the right and left flanks
2) Referee Koh's behavior to MFC players and his decisions. Nuff Said!
3) Kartik's missed opportunity for the last minute equalizer
4) Defensive errors resulted in 2 unnecessary goals conceded

All photos courtesy of Charlotte
Album: http://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m392/maestrofootballclub/Match%20Pics/3_5_09%20MFC%20VS%20Sino%20CHN%20FC/