Final Score: Star FC 2 : 2 MFC (Norris 1, Kartik 1)
| "If you want to fight, I have a boxing ring here at the side. You can go to the boxing ring to fight" ~ League Owner Koh | |
With a brilliant quote from everyone's favorite league owner Koh to begin this week's friendly, MFC was ready to face Star FC, a chinese team wearing Argentina colors with pride. For the unaware, the last time Star FC and MFC played, it turned out to be a verbal slagging and punching affair between some MFCians and a few Star FC players as well. Under the hot scorching weather today, MFC had about 17 players available. Rong An made his 2nd consectuive appearance and Han Rong also returned after quite a lengthy period. Kartik brought his cousin as well, with the hope of giving him some playing time and to show MFC what he can do. Vice Captain Alan started MFC in 4-5-1 formation and the early exchanges showed that Star FC was fast and comfortable on the ball, playing passing among their players. Their star playmaker, number 7, was good at shielding the ball and distributed the ball well to his team mates. MFC chased and closed down as they should but Star FC somehow maintained an edge over MFC's play. They struck first as well, with a long ball down field that keeper Gary missed when he tried to clear with a karate kick. The loose ball was chased down by the Star FC attacker to the wing and he did well to turn his way into the penalty box. Holding off the MFC defenders, he finished with a low shot, just beyond Gary who got back on his line. The goal deflated MFC but what was more frustrating was that the referee was not consistent with his calls. MFCians felt disadvantaged as this as he frequently gave fouls to Star FC while keeping his cards when Star FC players committed persistent fouls. With the first half running out and MFC losing possession frequently, the game slowly turned on its ugly head when Alex lashed out at the Star FC number 7 with a deliberate (and rather unneccesary) kick from behind after he had lost possession of the ball. Having been booked earlier, it was his second yellow and hence a red card was inevitable. As he left the pitch, MFCians must be wondering how to get back into the game, with 10 men and 1 goal down. For the remaining 10 mins, MFC dug deep to defend and not concede any more goals and it lasted to half time. Alan did his best to rally the troops and he adopted a 4-4-2 formation in the second half, in hope of overturning the deficit to a victory. The second half started well for MFC as the players pressed forward, each bearing in mind Alan's mantra "defending starts from the front". Star FC started to show some cracks, with wayward passing and panicky clearances. MFC took advantage of the momentum and had serveal good half chances which went begging. The equaliser came courtesy of a corner kick. This writer dispatched a routine corner close to the goalkeeper as both Norris and Rong An were near the goal line. Norris did well to get a nod just ahead of the goalkeeper and his header ripped into the goal. However, the equaliser was shortlived as MFC found themselves trailing again, this time due to the referee not noticing that the goal scorer was offside. Despite protests from MFCians, the referee awarded the goal. Shellshocked, MFC almost went further behind if not for the goalpost which kept out a goalbound shot. The final goal of the game came for MFC from Kartik, who has been in a rich vein of form. His runs from wing back position ala Ashley Cole was one of the main sources of attacks for MFC hroughout the match and he was well rewarded for his good runs when he latched on a through pass to strike a long range shot which lobbed the Star FC goalkeeper. Seeing the ball float in the air, past the despairing fingers of the Staf FC keeper and into the net was pure enjoyment. The team celebrated Kartik's equaliser and continued to press forward for more goals until the referee's final whistle. The final score was a draw and it was probably a fair result given that both teams did not play their best. The gameplay can be described as scrappy and filled with rough tackles and unhappy retorts. However, what cannot be refuted is the determination shown by every player who contributed in the game. C'mon you Bees! High Points 1) Kartik's goal was a beauty. 2) MFC fighting back from trailing, twice. Low Points 1) MFCians must learn to keep tempers in check. Deliberate kicks (by Alex) andsarcastic words (by this writer) do not resolve the issue and in fact they set a bad example for younger MFCians. 2) The unhappiness between Star FC Number 7 and Alex continued even after the final whistle. 3) The referee was poor at best, with several misjudged calls. 4) This is time 3,567th time I am saying- MFC needs to learn how to keep possession and pass the ball well 5) Kartik's cousin only came on for 1 min and did not get to touch the ball at all and some other MFCians only played a few mins. MFCians should always think of others as well as themselves. If tired, request for a sub so that everyone gets some playing time. |
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