Final Score: Kaki Bukit Hotspurs 4 : 1 MFC (Rong An - pen)
MFC started this week's league match against Kaki Bukit Hotspurs with full of confidence. Afterall, the last time both teams met, the score was a 1-1 draw and it was a game which MFC should have won, if not for a controversial goal scored by the Hotspurs in the final few minutes. As part of pre match briefing, Captain Guo Xian announced about the latest MFC initiative- the MFC newsletter (look out for it!) He also announced Player of the Month to be Gary, with Alan and Norris getting commendations as well.
With more than 20 players to choose from, Captain Guo Xian had his hands full, trying to figure out how to let everyone play. Having done his research on formations, Guo Xian opted for a new formation- 4-2-3-1, with the left and right backs being used in an attacking role to support the front 3 attacking midfielders (2 wingers and 1 playmaker) and the lone striker in a 6 man attack. On paper, it sounded like a good plan but in reality, with the Hotspurs coming out with guns blazing, MFC were second best in all departments for the opening exchanges.
The first goal came for Hotspurs after one of their wingers penetrated the left wing and latched on a long ball to shoot beyond a diving Gary. The goal deflated MFC and to be honest, the Hotspurs looked the hungrier of the 2 teams.
The Hotspurs were a constant threat to MFC as they poured forward with accurate short passes and good control over the mid field. This proves too much for MFC’s defence as the Hotspurs pull strings of through balls to their speedy striker. Soon, the second goal for Hotspurs came when their mid field unleashed a nicely placed through ball to their main striker (no. 7) who beat both Alan and Wee Hian with his speed for a shot on goal. The third goal was conceded in similar fashion.
There were times when MFC had a couple of good shots on the Hotspurs goal but was denied by the keeper. Rong An’s free kick before half time was one of the closet attempts on goal as he swing the ball towards the bottom right corner of the goal but was blocked off by the Hotspurs No.1. Almost immediately, Rong An triggered another shot on goal after some confusion in the Hotspurs defence and again, the keeper was there to clear the ball off the line.
First half ended. 3-0 to Hotspurs.
During the half time briefing, Captain GX pointed that the initial formation doesn’t prove to be effective against the opponent and decided to revert back to the more familiar 4-5-1 formation with Jeffery heading the attack alone, Chris Tan dropping back as Centre Back and Hakim back to his favorite Centre Mid position.
MFC started the 2nd half livelier with more passes and control over the game. The bees manage to gain more momentum as the match continue deep into the 2nd half.
The hotspurs got their 4th goal of the match during a fast counter attack which saw a nicely placed header fly pass MFC’s very own “Joe Hart”. The game went on with MFC hungry for more goals.
With an increasing possession gained by MFC, the Hotspurs starts to get frustrated and began to introduce “dirty little movement” to inflict pain and cause injuries to our player. One incident saw a Hotspurs player stamped on Rong An’s left foot after bringing him down in a challenge. Amusingly, the referee who was “busy looking at his shoe” didn’t saw the incident and the game played on without any bookings.
MFC didn’t walk home empty handed. A penalty was awarded to MFC after Rong An was brought down in the box. MFC’s top scorer added 1 more goal to a total of 4 goals for this season after slotting the penalty home for MFC. The match ended 4-1 and credits need to be given to MFC for controlling their temper really well during the game on/off the field and continue to play to their best.
High Points
- Lil Eric never fight (requested by him)
- Credits to Gary for making numerous 1-on-1 saves. Oh.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARY!
- Maturity shown in the game and off the game. The team did well controlling our temper.
- Jeffery did well as a lone striker up front chasing and putting pressure on the opponent.
- Everybody gets to play in the game! Who cares about rolling sub!
- Hakim did well as a left back but proves to be more effective as a CM!
Low Points
- Muddy field! what else can I say...
- Unfit and unsure Referee. Spend most of this time looking at his "shoe".
- Dirty movement from opponents trying to injured our players.
- MFC need to have more control in the mid field.
- Didn't manage to get any points back from his game.
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