Final Score: CSB Marine 1 : 4 MFC (Guo Xian 1, Gifford 1, Jonathan 1, Chris Tan 1)
MFC faced CSB Marine again, for the second straight week. However, the CSB Marine team that was put out was about 80% different from the team MFC beat last week. This time, it was a mix of chinese and probably some vietnamese or thai players.
Norris and Alex made returns to the team and with about 2-3 substitutes, the morale was relatively high among MFCians especially with the knowledge that CSB Marine were beaten by MFC last week.
The match begun and it was similar to the CSB Marine match from last week. CSB Marine were fond of playing long balls, to which Eric and Norris did well to clear away with their headers. MFC drew first blood when Jonathan scored from long range. Jonathan picked up a loose ball in midfield and driving forward, he spotted the keeper off his line. Jonathan seized the chance and his long range shot just lobbed over the goalkeeper.
1-0 to MFC and the match become alive with CSB pushing higher and testing MFC defence on a few occasions. Keeper Calvin also did well to intercept the long balls pumped into the MFC penalty area to keep CSB Marine at bay. Over at the other end, MFC almost extended the lead via Gerald's long range shot which failed to lob over the goalkeeper.
The half time whistle blew and MFCians rested well from the hot afternoon sun. Gifford was to start the second half upfront in place of Guo Xian along with some other substitutions made during the half time briefing.
It was dangerous, living on just a 1 goal lead. MFC went pushing for a second goal and almost got it from Gifford who beat a defender and smashed a low shot past the goalkeeper from outside the penalty box. His shot however went just inches wide of the goal. Nevertheless, Gifford did not disappoint when a similar second chance came his way. This time, Gifford opted for a high shot; his shot beat the goalkeepers and went in off the top right crossbar to extend MFC's lead.
CSB Marine clawed back with a goal courtesy of a long range free kick but MFC held on and went from strength to strength in scoring twice after CSB's goal. First, a CSB Marine defender miscued his clearance from an MFC corner and the ball fell nicely to Chris Tan whose tame shot just beat the goalkeeper at the far right of the goal post.
Next, Guo Xian got on the scoresheet with a well taken goal which the CSB keeper got a touch to but failed to keep the ball out of the goal. With CSB players getting a bit tired, MFC continued to seek for goal scoring opportunities. Vice Captain Walter went on a mazy run from defence all the way to CSB's penalty area. He set up the ball for Alex to deliver his long range speciality but his shot was deflected off a defender.
The final whistle signalled the end and it was 4-1 to MFC, a scoreline which indicated the dominance of MFC over CSB Marine. However, there were many aspects of the game which MFC needs to improve on as other stronger team might be able to exploit those loopholes in future.
High Points
1) 9 matches unbeaten!
2) MFC defence of Howard, Norris, Eric, Walter, Lil Eric did very well to restrict CSB to long range shots
3) Calvin's passion for soccer is clear for all to see; though he just got discharged, he offered his goalkeeping services and did well
Low Points
1) MFC needs to learn how to spread the gameplay across the pitch, not just on a single flank
2) MFCians need to respect the decisions made by the Captain or Vice Captain, this writer was guilty of that.
3) MFCians need to learn to rotate among themselves to ensure that everyone has an equal playing time.
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