Final Score: MFC 2 : 2 Aang Wolf (Augustine 1, Own Goal 1)
It was a first for MFC, playing at the Kovan field for the first time and it was a good pitch, with a relatively good playing surface and clear line demarcations on the pitch. The opponents were old foes Aang Wolf and this was their home ground after moving from Katong. With a good group of technical players, MFC was in for a surprise right from the first half.
Playing 4-4-2, Aang Wolf came out guns blzing with their slick and incisive passing threading MFC like a hot knife through butter. The defence was nervy, with make shift leftback Gerald making a few mistakes to allow the left winger to penetrate through on a few occasions. 5 minutes into the match, Guo Xian made it known to Gerald his mistakes and he subbed himself out to allow a proper left back Lil Eric to play. MFC was non the better as Aang Wolf continued their onslaught at MFC.
Aang Wolf got their first goal via a well taken free kick; the ball took a bounce in front of keeper Cross and went in off the far right post. MFC continued to be pulverised by Aang Wolf and did not have any possesion as Aang Wolf's midfield totally overtook MFC's midfield. Save for a good performance by Chris Tan who redeemed MFC with several good interceptions, MFC was lucky not to concede more goals.
A second goal soon came via a good long range lob which caught Cross off his line. It was a brillant goal and that left MFCians down and out. However, a lifeline was presented when MFC got a goal just before half time. A corner kick by Gerald found Augustine in the penalty box and his first time volley was sweet as he hit the ball with such power that left the defence and goalkeeper dumbfounded.
2-1 to Aang Wolf in the first half and the belief to recover was present. MFC reverted to a 4-5-1 formation in the second half and it paid off as the midfield begun to starve Aang Wolf's possession. With good interceptions by Hakim, Chris and Gerald, Aang Wolf struggled to play with the same tempo as the first half. Scrappy play aside, MFC was thriving and had several good half chances which went begging. Rong An was a constant threat upfront and so was Suffyan who put Aang Wolf's defence on the backfoot on several occasions.
MFC's equalizer came ala a David James classic howler; a backpass to the Aang Wolf keeper was miskicked and the ball rolled under his feet and into the back of the net. Both Aang Wolf and MFC pushed on for a winner but it was a little too late as the time ran out for both teams.
It was a good experience with Aang Wolf and the Kovan field. Certainly MFC will be back for more matches in future.
High Points
1) Augustine's first time volley goal!
2) Good pitch, good opponents and good weather
3) Alan Chiang is back for good! Cross' first appearance in a long time is also very timely as he made some good saves today!
Low Points
1) The referee was a little bit dubious though he was much better than other referees MFC had in the past
2) Nervy gameplay from MFC especially in a 4-4-2 formation
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