12/7/2009 MFC Vs Eastchester View Match Review

Match Review by Gerald Tan
Final Score: Eastchester View 3 : 1 MFC (Eric Ng)

Eastchester View was next on the roster for the league season and MFC looked forward for this match, in the hope of avenging previous losses. MFC had almost a full team for selection, barring regulars like Alex, Silas, Chris Tan and Hanrong. Against the backdrop of perfect weather and a windy breeze, Captain Eric conducted the team briefing. MFC adopted the 4-5-1 formation, with leading marksman Guo Xian spearing the attack. The match started with Eastchester going on the offensive from the start of the whistle.

To MFC's credit, the team held the formation relatively well and repelled all attacks for the first 15 minutes. However, MFC's staunch defending came to naught when Eastchester took the lead via a well taken long range shot.
Goalkeeper Cross was caught too far out and the Eastchester midfielder took his chance well, lobbing the ball over Cross.

That goal deflated MFC and Eastchester continued to press on and got the second goal which looked suspiciously offside as Eastchester played a clever one-two before sending in a low cross for an easy tap in. MFC got their fair share of luck as well; Guo Xian breaking the Eastchester defence and as he went one on one with the opposing goalkeeper, he accidentally jarred his ankle when put under pressure from an Eastchester defender. The referee awarded a penalty which Captain Eric converted.

Just before halftime, MFC suffered a scare when Ben from Eastchester managed to dribble past MFC players in the penalty box. Thankfully Firdaus stuck to Ben and prevented him from scoring from close range. The second half begun in similar fashion as Eastchester looked to put the result beyond MFC. However, MFC was up to the task, pressuring Eastchester's gameplay and forcing them into playing quick one-twos and long balls. MFC was also looking good on the fast breaks; Guo Xian proving just why he is MFC's top scorer when he stole the ball away from an Eastchester defender and broke away on a solo run past the defence for half the length of the pitch.

His finish was also perfect, except for Eastchester's goalkeeper proving more than equal to the finish.

Eastchester would go on to score another goal, ala a deflected shot past Cross and as hard as MFC tried to get back, it was just a little too late as Eastchester controlling the gameplay.

The final whistle came and the score line was 3-1 to Eastchester. With an identical scoreline in the previous meeting, this match showed an improvement in MFC's overall gameplay. For periods of the match, MFC was almost equal to Eastchester and even gave them a scare on more than a few occasions. MFC defintely made it harder for Eastchester to win this match.

High Points
1) MFC played well, the midfield had more passes and the defence defended staunchly, Guo Xian added much needed bite to MFC's attack
2) Alan's stamina is second to none as he was almost everywhere.
3) A clean match for MFC, with no yellow cards accumulated compared to Eastchester's 3 yellow cards.
4) Guo Xian's second half run from the half way line, way faster than Eastchester can catch up.

Low Points
1) The first goal for Eastchester deflated the team's morale
2) More communication needed between players during gameplay
3) MFC flanks lacked the penetration. There was hardly any crosses into the penalty box
4) Some MFC players need to voice out for substitution especially when they are tired. They need to remember that there are other players who are waiting for their turn on the sidelines.

All photos courtesy of Chris Lau (www.chrisjhpixels.com)
Album: http://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m392/maestrofootballclub/Match%20Pics/12_07_09%20MFC%20VS%20Eastchester%20View/