Final Score: Korea FC 3 : 2 MFC (Norris 1, Guo Xian 1)
|
For the last game of Guo Xian's reign as MFC Captain, MFC faced a hard and fit looking Korean team. Not all the players were from Korea though; some were from China. This writer certainly could not understand how they communicated, given the Koreans and Chinese spoke in their native languages. Nevertheless, the lack of a common communication language did not hinder them much as they stormed to a 3-0 lead by half time. The first goal was conceded due to MFC defence being caught flatfooted by a Korean striker (who was suspiciously offside) running onto a through ball. The striker finished calmly beyond keeper Randhal. The first blow came in the early stages of the game and MFC then shipped in 2 more goals. The second was a good finish from the same Korean striker as he won the ball (illegally) from defender Guo Xian and held off the challenge from Walter to score. The third came courtesy of a penalty after a poor first touch from Zirong played the opposing striker into a one on one challenge. Lil Eric then attempted to put the striker off course via a tackle from behind, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty. The Korean team goalkeeper blasted his penalty down the middle to put them up 3-0. Throughout the first half, MFC had not shown the tenacity required to put pressure on the Korean team. Captain Guo Xian's half time team talk held to motivate the team again as MFC went out in the second half to play some good football. MFC did not disappoint as the players did their best to close down the attacks faster in the second half. With big Eric and Alan at the back, the defence looked assured. Up front, Rong An and Norris troubled the Korean team with their trickery; Rong An in particular was tricky throughout and his tendencies to attempt long shots almost resulted in a goal. Awarded a free kick about 5 metres outside of the penalty area, Rong An's long shot shot was parried onto the cross bar. With the Korean team looking more tired as the game wore on, Rong An turned provider when his side pass released Guo Xian into a one on one position. Guo Xian duly slotted home the goal and with more than 10 minutes left, MFC turned the heat up. Long balls rained on the increasingly weary Korean team and they could not deal with them. Alex, Abi, Rong An all took turns to trouble the Korean team and MFC pressured the Korean team into their own half with waves of attacks. The pressure intensified after Norris got the second goal. Norris met a cross with the slightest of touch from his head and though it seemed like a routine save for the keeper, somehow he fumbled and misjudged the ball as he allowed it to roll into the goal. Alas, the fightback ended there as the time for MFC's fightback ran out. It was a good game, one that MFCians can all say that they were proud to have played in. It also signalled the end of Guo Xian's reign as MFC Captain. As he said at the end of the match, a new Captain and a new committee would be elected next week. For all the hard work that Guo Xian, Alan, Jonathan, Augustine and Zirong put in for MFC over the past 1 year, lets show them our appreciation by turning up next week for Cage soccer as well as the elections gathering! High Points 1) The second half fightback 2) Good friendly play overall though the match threatened to turn ugly at some times. Luckily MFCians managed to control tempers. 3) The weather was good 4) Good turnout today and some moments of good play from the team including Alan, Eric, Rong An, Norris, Jonathan and Walter Low Points 1) We need more than 1 referee for the league! 2) The match started late; can the league organiser be more professional and put in place some rules aboiut punctuality? 3) MFCians tend to come late these days. At 4.45pm there were only 4 players when the match was to start at 5pm. |
No comments:
Post a Comment