Final Score: MFC 2 - 1 MIX (Norris, Kartik)
Venue: Katong Field
After a 5-1 defeat to Aldersgate last week, MFC was geared up to win this week’s game against Team Mix. It was also a morale boosting game with the return of our star striker Rong Ah. Captain GuoXian decided to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation, fielding Alan and Wee Hian as centre backs, Howard and Walter as fullbacks, Jonathan and Alex in the middle of the park and our young star striker Jeffrey as the lone striker up front.
The match started with Team Mix gaining the majority share of the possession. Their passing was precise and their movements tormented the MFC midfield, which reminds me of how Barcelona always play against their opponents. This match seems to resemble that of Liverpool (MFC) vs Tottenham (Team Mix), as Team Mix has 2 players in the disguise of Huddlestone and Luka Modric which gave the MFC defence a hell of a game throughout the first half. The combination of these 2 eventually resulted in a goal. Modric dispossess a loose ball by Howard and passes it to Huddlestone, which unleased a venom swirling shot which ended up at the top corner, leaving keeper Gary Reina speechless. What a superb goal and what a way to start the match. MFC was chasing the ball for the majority of the game as Team Mix continues to pile up more pressure on the MFC’s defence, pinging long through balls over the back four of the MFC defence. This pinging of long balls by team Mix resulted in Gary having to perform numerous 30-60s to collect the ball and deny the opponent from increasing the scoreline. Gary commented that it was actually quite shag.
It was not long before Captain Guoxian decided to introduce Rong Ah into the game to replace Jeffrey. Our star striker’s effort was immediately recognized as he skipped past numerous defenders with his trickery and unleashed a shot which almost resulted in a goal due to bad goalkeeping by Mix’s keeper. There are several appeals from the MFC’s players but the referee was not interested.
What is commendable in the first half is despite being 1 goal down, despite chasing the ball for the majority of the 1st half, MFC has tremendous fighting spirits by encouraging each other to stay focus and get back into the game. I could see Jonathan, Augustine and Khatik chasing and closing down defenders with great determination and Alan, Howard and Alex shouting words of encouragement to the team. The 1st half son ended with MFC trailing by a goal.
The second half started with Captain Guoxian making a few changes to the lineup, having gerrald and Norris at the middle of the park. The half started with Mix piling immense pressure on the MFC defence for quite a long period of time before MFC managed to move the ball out of their own half. However, due to the tremendous desire to clinch 5th place for the Europa spot, MFC gave all their energy through the persistent markings and resilent challenge for loose balls.
This eventually tired the hell out of Mix’s players and MFCs started to get more into the game by spraying beautiful one-twos and passes throughout the park. It was a “never say die” attitude exhibited by Team MFC and this eventually led to the equalizer as khatik managed to win the challenge of Huddlestone and slot a pass to Norris which is aided by the dummy of Rong Ah. Norris skipped past the goalkeeper confidently before he slot into an empty net. The goal resembles that of Louis Suarez ‘s goal against Fulham last week, absolutely brilliant.
If Team Mix feel that MFC is satisfied to end the game with a draw, they were absolutely wrong. MFC was looking for nothing less than a win from the start of the game. The winner eventually came with a superb floating ball, and one in which Khatik managed to get the better of his defender before firing it past the helpless keeper.
What a comeback by MFC!. Everybody was cheering for joy while Captain Guoxian still demanded the team to stay focus till the end of the game. Team Mix did rally in search for an equalizer and they won many free kicks. However, Huddlestone was unable to score from the freekicks, credit to the towering MFC’s wall. The game eventually ended 2-1 in MFC’s favour-a game that MFC thoroughly deserve after a “Never Say Die” displayed by the whole team. So my prediction is Liverpool will overcome Spurs tonight to clinch 5th place for the Europa league.
High points
1. Our “never say die “ attitude is commendable
2. Several players was chasing and closing down opponents with great determination
3. Shouts of encouragements by MFC players throughout the game
4. MFC won the game!
5. Referee was excellent for most of the game
Low Points
1. MFC could have scored more- reminder to be more clinical in front of goal.
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