Final Score: British Exiles 0 : 2 MFC (Rong An 1, Norris 1)
In a week whereby Lebanon beat a fake Togo team in an international friendly (click here to see report), MFC similarly beat a "fake" British Exiles team in the 3rd league game of the season.
Starting with only 11 senior team members and 2 junior players Pom and Jeffrey, MFC played possibly the best game to date, with a wonderful display of defence, game possession and fine finishing. Captain Guo Xian started the game in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Gary between the posts, Vice Captain Alan, Wee Hian being central defenders, Hakim and Howard as left and right backs. Midfield regulars Gerald and Alex (with an injured foot) took centre midfield roles while speedsters Abi and Augustine took the flanks. Norris played just behind top scorer Rong An.
Though British Exiles fielded a weakened team, there was enough talent and skill within their ranks to pose a tought test for MFC. They fielded a few youngsters who showed real promise and good techniques.
Once the match started, MFC took control of the match and never looked back. A walkover might be too exaggerating but the truth was that British Exiles never really threatened MFC's goal. That however, was also due to MFC playing extremely well throughout. With limited substitutes, Guo Xian stressed that MFC play a short passing game to conserve energy. The team did just that and with a good balance of passing and incisive through balls, MFC wingers Abi and Augustine saw plenty of the ball to create havoc on the wings.
Rong An was also a menace upfront, causing the Exile's defence to panic on many occasions. His relentless chasing was rewarded after he chased down a loose ball, cut in from the right flank and finishing well from an acute angle to make it 3 goals in 3 games.
Soon after, Norris scored MFC's second with a well taken goal. A half cleared ball fell to Norris just on the edge of the penalty area. With no opponents to close him down, Norris had ample time to aim for the low left corner of the goal and with an excellent toe poke, he prodded the ball beyond the Exile's keeper who could only watch the ball float in.
MFC players were elated and continued to push forward. Thai youngster Jeffrey showed glimpses of improvement as he held his own well upfront against Exiles' defenders who were much bigger than him. Alex, with his injured foot, was also getting into good scoriong positions. His closest effort just shaved the top of the cross bar after Gerald had played him clean through.
The halftime whistle could not come sooner, with the scorching heat beating down on the pitch. Morale was very high, given that MFC went into the break with a 2 goal lead.
The second half begun in the same manner as how the first half ended, with MFC continuing to play well to intercept passes and control the game. Howard and Hakim did extremely well to venture forward and support Abi and Augustine. Not that both of them needed any help- Abi and Augustine's pace were too much for the Exile's defence and they did well to get past their markers and deliver some good crosses into the box.
MFC suffered a scare within 10 minutes of the second half when the Exiles wanted to substitute their top striker in from another British Exiles match going on in another pitch. The MFCians protested and thankfully the referee listened and decided to check on the Exile player's eligibility. As it was hard to verify if the player was registered for the match with MFC, that substition never materialised.
The Exiles were frustrated as the minutes ticked by, with many fouls being committed on Norris, who posed a threat with his dribbling. The referee must have given MFC more than 5 free kicks within Alex's scoring range. Alex's free kicks all came close to extending the lead further for MFC. On one occasion, Rong An's freekick, that was clearly going into the top left corner of the goal, was expertly tipped away by the Exiles' keeper.
To the Exile's credit, they tried to string attacks but each time, Wee Hian and Alan's reading of the game served them well in clearing the attacks. The referee's whistle soon signalled the end of the match and it was cheers all round for MFC players! The Bees have defeated the mighty Exiles once again!
High Points
1) Credit to the 13 MFC players who played today!
2) 1st clean sheet for Gary
3) This match really showed that MFC can really play a good posession and passing game if they wished to.
4) Rong An and Norris' goals were very well taken
5) Hakim's performance in left back was commendable as he controlled the ball very well, combining with the midfielders to move attacks forward.
6) We have a Rory Delap in Howard!
7) Credit to the referee to check on the controversial substitution.
Low Points
1) The weather was very hot!
2) Would have been good to play against the full British Exiles team
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