Final Score: MFC 6 : 1 Ong Global (Alex 3, Gerald 1, Norris 1, Norris' Friend 1)
MFC continued the winning streak by beating opponents Ong Global 6-1 at Bukit Timah. Though it was a last minute arranged match as the Kovan field was waterlogged, Guo Xian did a great job to find opponents and get 11 MFC players down to Bukit Timah for a game.
With no subs available, the 11 had to play a slow game to conserve energy, rather than the usual fast counter attack style which MFC is so used to. The result was a good one as MFC players maintain possession for many parts of the game and dictated the flow of the match.
The first goal came early in the match when Gerald scored directly from a cross. With lady luck on his side, his cross became a shot instead, the ball curling high above the keeper before hitting the post and into the net. The goal gave MFC confidence to attack for more and Alex was next on the scoresheet, with another of his trademark freekick goals.
Ong Global soon hit back as they rallied an attack on MFC's defence. Though the goal might have been offside, the opponents did well to finish past keeper Gary. MFC was rattled for a bit but all nerves were settled when Norris popped up to score from a corner kick. Alex's short corner kick was flicked on by Gerald and amidst the scramble in the penalty box, Norris emerged tops to smash the ball into the goal.
The scoreline was 3-1 to MFC at half time and MFC was only playing with 10 men at this stage! Norris' friend joined in at half time to even the playing numbers and MFC never looked back.
Alex was in a rich vein of scoring and he scored again with an audacious long range lob over the goalkeeper. Ong Global was down and out but MFC never stopped pushing them. MFC's midfield of Silas, Alex, Gerald and Chris held the fort well to repel long ball attempts by Ong Global and with Guo Xian constantly reminding the team to play a passing game, MFC was able to control the game tempo and also played more on the flanks, with Abi and Silas doing very well on numerous occasions to get past their markers to deliver crosses into the box.
Norris's friend benefited from such a gameplay as he latched onto a short pass on the flanks and drove into the penalty box. From an acute angle, he shot past the keeper for the 5th goal. Alex wrapped up the scoring with his first hattrick after forcing the ball past the goalkeeper from close range. Chris Tan and Guo Xian also came close on several occasions; Guo Xian's clever run and shot was unfortunately deflected by a defender and Chris Tan's long range shot hit the post. Chris also got the ball in the net but the referee called for an earlier foul, unfairly ruling out the goal.
The final score was 6-1 to MFC and everyone played well and enjoyed themselves. MFC really showed that a short passing game was possible, if the players can hold their nerve and play more short passes than the usual long ball.
High Points
1) Alex's first hattrick
2) GOod gameplay overall by MFC as short passing became the style of the match. With a short passing game, more players such as the wingers can be brought into the match instead of just playing the long ball for them to chase
3) Guo Xian and Norris were good at centre backs
4) Gary produced 2 great saves in the match; one of which was almost a confirmed goal if not for Gary's great reaction to switch directions suddenly and produce a finger tip save.
5) Credit to Guo Xian for the effort to arrange a match last minute for MFC players. It would have been easier to call off the match than arrange for another one.
Low Points
1) The referee was a joke; many of his calls were dubious and unprofessional. We have to inform Sunsports to stop engaging this referee!
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