6/2/2011 MFC Vs Indian Team Match Review

Match Review by Gerald Tan
Final Score: Indian Team 1 : 3 MFC (Guo Xian 1, Rong An 2)

On a record breaking BPL weekend whereby the most goals were scored, MFC looked to emulate the goal scoring trend by winning this weekend against new opponents "Indian Team" (apologies, could not find their team name). MFC did not disappoint as they found the back of the net thrice! With a strong lineup consisting of Rong An, Guo Xian, Walter, Wee Hian, Alan, Howard, Hanrong, Gerald, Chris, Alwyn, Augustine, Gary and fresh faces back from NS Kartik and Jonathan, Captain Guo Xian had the oppotunity to field a strong team to earn a first win in a long time. There was even a new player, Kartik's friend Logan, who looked an interesting prospect to say the least. The opponents were new to MFC but from past matches where they played, they don't seem to be able to pose a threat to MFC as fitness wise, they are not as match fit as MFCians. However, Guo Xian cautioned the team to not underestimate the opponents and also warned the team about their "verbal habits". The match started off but there were no sparks on the pitch; the gameplay was scrappy and the only incident worth mentioning in the first few minutes was the yellow card dished out to this writer only after 5 minutes of gameplay. Slowly, MFC begun to stamp their authority by being the first to the long balls and launching waves of attacks on the opponents. The attacks were in vain, until Rong An broke the deadlock with a brilliant goal. Taking on 3 defenders in the attacking half, Rong An dribbled his way through and found some space just inside the penalty area to unleash a low grounder from the left of the penalty box. Though the shot lacked the usual power, Rong An had compensated the shot with deadly accuracy which left the goalkeeper for the dead as the ball found its way into the bottom right corner of the goal. The goal elated MFCians and MFC continued to launch attacks albeit at a slower pace. The Indian Team also had their chances; the closest they came to scoring was when they capitalised on a riochet from Chris' quickly taken freekick. The ball was swung into the right wing as the opponent striker ran onto the ball but the best he could do was to finish into the side netting. The half time whistle soon signalled the end of the first half. In the second half, MFC started the match in similar fashion as the first. More goals were needed and to assist that aim, Logan made his appearance in place of Kartik at the left flank and he certainly did well. He posed a threat down the left wing as he showed good link up play with leftback Howard and striker Rong An. Though MFC continued to attack, the opponents also improved on their first half showing by maintaining better possession and taking the ball back into the MFC half. They got their equaliser due to a defensive lapse by the MFCians. As a ball was played into the MFC defence, the players thought the Indian Team striker was offside but the referee never blew for it. Despite the equaliser, MFC continued to keep their heads up to regain their lead but with Rong An finding it hard to get past 3 markers, the attacks drew blanks. In an astute substution, this writer was substituted for Captain Guo Xian to take to the field to add more penetration and verve to the attack. He certainly did not disappoint. Guo Xian's driving runs from the attacking midfield line were a constant threat to the opponents and one such run bore fruit as he blazed down the right flank past the defenders before finishing from a one on one position. It was just the spark of inspiration the team needed! Back in the lead, MFC continued to press for more goals and it could have been 3 for MFC had the referee not blown a goal bounded effort as an offside. It was a piece of brilliant interplay between Rong An and Guo Xian which resulted in the goal but sadly, the referee had blown for offside early. However, MFC was not to be denied a 3rd goal, courtesy of Rong An's impressive finish. Running onto a quick long throw, Rong An took the ball well on his chest and from an acute angle in the left flank, his volley lobbed the goalkeeper and found its way into the top right corner of the goal. It was an emphatic finish and one which deserves to be in the "Hall of Fame". The final score was 3-1 to MFC and it was the first victory for a long time. The match was a good test of MFC's strengths but really, it was done to the individual brillance from Guo Xian and Rong An that won the game for MFC. The rest of the team also did well to support and make the victory happen. Hopefully, the next victory won't take too long too! High Points 1) Brilliant goals from Guo Xian and Rong An. Our strikers are back! 2) Gary did not have much to do; a testament to the good defence in front of him especially from Alan who dealt well with the opponents' physical presence 3) Kartik's friend Logan did well for the team. He displayed good ball control and no unneccessary show-boating from him Low Points 1) The referee made some contentious decisions 2) The opponents were trying to get MFCians sent off and also tried to dive for a goal on 1 occasion.