Match Review by Gary Khoo
Final Score: Maestro FC vs Kaki Hotspurs (0-0)
This weekend opponent was Kaki Bukit Hotspur, a team that is very good on the ball and with good passing and movement. Coupled with the fact that they get 4 goals passed Mastro FC the last time we met, Captain Guo Xian decided to adopt a cautious 5-1-3-1 formation with Walter and Howard as wing backs, the 3 centre backs composing of Wee Hian, Alan, Guo xian and Rong ah upfront.
The match started with Maestro having the majority of the possession, spraying good passes around the midfield. The decision to play 5 defenders proves to be a good tactic by Guo xian, as Hotspur finds it very difficult to break down a resilient and well-organised Maestro Defence. Indeed, this led to several bad passes by Hotspur. Despite playing with 5 defenders, Maestro were the first to threaten Hotspur, with Rong Ah unleashing a venom shot at goal, requiring a brilliant stop by the Hotspur’s keeper to keep the scoreline at 0-0. Maestro continue to pile enormous pressure at the Kaki defence, with a series of passes between Chris and Han Rong ended up with Norris having a good shot at goal, which just flow pass the top of the bar. It was frustrating that despite the good share of possession and multiple shots on/off target, Maestro did not find themselves with a goal.
However, the first half was not just about Maestro attacking. Hotspur did rally, with a cross field pass by one of the midfielders finding the Hotspur’s striker with a one on one chance. He unleased a low shot pass Keeper Gary (despite having a slight touch on the ball) but Guo Xian was on time to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. It was all credit to a superb defending by Guo Xian(though it might have pass the line) to keep the score at 0-0. First half ended with the score at 0-0 ,which Maestro deserving at least a goal for their numerous efforts at goal.
The second half started with Hotspur having the majority share of the possession, very different from the first half when Maestro dominated. Guo Xian opted to play young Jeff as a lone striker with Rong ah dropping at left mid. Hotspur’s movement and passing were much better than during the first half, managing to spray the ball and control possession at the final third of the field. This eventually led to several fouls committed by Maestro, giving Kaki several good free kick opportunities. One of the free kicks was well struck, but Gary was right behind the ball. Despite the heavy bombardment by Kaki Hotspur, Maestro kept their cool, clearing ball after ball. However, Maestro did have one clear cut chances, with Gifford having a one on one chance with the Hotspur’s keeper, just to find his effort being well blocked by the goal keeper. It should have been 1-0 to Maestro FC!
The game went on with Kaki Hotspur certainly looking the hungrier of both sides. However, it was not professional of them with their smelly tactics as they unleased several bad challenges, throwing their studs in during tackles and injuring some of Maestro’s players. The corner counts for Kaki was also rising, which was threatening as their tall striker(no 23) proved to be a nuisance to the Maestro’s defence. However, it was again down to this well-organised Maestro/Liverpool defence which managed to keep the scoreline at 0-0. The match ended at 0-0, which might be a fair result to both sides, considering the chances that both sides have created. During the post match talk by Guo Xian, I heard someone (possibly Alan) mentioned about playing like Liverpool with this 5-1-3-1 formation. Perhaps we could really deploy this tactic against opponent who are very fast on the ball in the future!
High Points:
1. Nice weather neither the scorching hot and rainy mud.
2. Good tactic by Guo Xian to play 5 defenders which proved to be very effective against this Kaki Hotspur team.
3. The shape and composure of the defence was good, which enable Keeper Gary to be a spectator for majority of the game.
4. Rong Ah was not shy when it comes to taking shots from distance, which showed his level of confidence at the moment!
Low points:
1. There are several bad challenges by Hotspur! Some of their players should have been sent off!
2. Glifford should have converted the one on one chance.
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