Final Score: British Exiles 1 : 3 MFC (Guo Xian 1, Kevin 1, Gifford 1)
| MFC secured another 3 points for the league, this time against table toppers British Exiles. British Exiles were tough opponents; having not lost in the league yet and beaten MFC 2:0 in the 1st game at Bukit Timah, MFC knew that they have a tough game ahead. Turning up for MFC was about 19 players and it was good for MFC as frequent rotations could be done as part of the strategy to wear the opponents out with hard running. Calvin was between the posts with Khairul making his return alongside Eric in defence. Silas made a return to MFC as well and red hot Guo Xian was available too. |
Starting in a 4-3-3 formation, it was a hard start for MFC as British Exiles showed MFC their grit and direct passing. MFC was on the backpedal for most of the first 20 minutes. Captain Eric made a decisive change, with the 2 flank attackers dropping back to adopt the familiar 4-5-1 formation. With 5 men in the midfield, MFC slowly crept back into the game with more possesion and interceptions.
It was not long before MFC took the lead. Norris tore down the left flank and managed to keep the ball in when a defender tried to shield the ball out for a goal kick. His persistence paid off as Norris slid a cross ball for a well placed Kevin to tap the ball into the net for his first goal.
British Exiles were surely not disheartened as they picked up the pace and put MFC under pressure. It paid off as they were awarded a penalty from a corner. One of the MFC players was adjudged to have pulled down the opponent and the referee gave the somewhat dubious penalty which the British Exiles scored.
Shortly after, another penalty was awarded to the British Exiles for a tackle just at the byline of the penalty box. This time however, British Exiles missed the chance to go ahead as the penalty was blasted wide.
The stars were certainly shining on MFC and with the scores tied at 1-1 during half time, Eric and Guo Xian urged the team to play harder, with more tackles and interceptions.
Their message was not unheeded as MFC terrorized the opponents from the start of the second half. MFC had many opportunities and interceptions as the centre midfielders did a wonderful job of marking the opponents and being first to the ball. This sort of determination created the second goal for MFC. Gifford chased down a seemingly lost cause with the opposing keeper the favorite to catch the ball. However, he missed and Gifford was on hand to tuck the ball away.
MFC went hysterical but did not sit back to defend. Alan and a few other players all had decent chances to score more but failed to do so. At the other end, Khairul, Eric, Wee Hian, Walter, Howard and Lil Eric all did well to subdue the aerial threat of British Exiles who seemed to rely solely on long balls to score.
Guo Xian then killed off the game as his dazzling speed took him past tired legs of the defenders and beat the keeper from close range. His goal celebration was also definitely a worthy "call" and that effectively sealed the win for MFC.
At the final whistle, MFCians felt an immense sense of achievement, having beaten the previously undefeated table toppers and putting some of their trash talk in place.
BEES!!!
High Points
1) MFC responded well in the match where the opponents were quite vocal, no rough tackles or arguments from the players.
2) Khairul did well in centre midfield. He helped to opened up the game at the start of the second half.
3) Beating the table toppers and avenging a defeat..sweet sweet victory!
Low Points
1) Some players tried to raise some racist remarks. Reminder to all, this is Singapore.
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