Final Score 1:4 (Howard)
The venue for the relegation fight for suvival was Marsiling Secondary School, a field boasting a decent grand stand and an immaculate field, allowing teams to play good passing football on the ground. Maestros had a grand total of 13 players for this match which is not a lot against a team like Arima where a lot of hard work and dogged defending was necessary.
The match began with Gerald in goal; Walter, Alan, Chris and Jonathan in defence; Abi, Augustine, Karthik, Howard and Jeffrey in midfield; and Alwyn (I scored last night) in attack. The match began in the sweltering sun with Maestros kicking off. Arima were stroking the ball around confidently with Maestros content to just soak up the pressure and try to hit on the counter attack.
Calvin arrived late and took up his place between the sticks and replaced Gerald. Maestros were still hanging on when first blood was drawn by Maestros. A loose ball in midfield came to Howard in the centre circle, who took one touch, spotted the keeper slightly off his line and volleyed a dipping shot towards the goal. The ball dipped just underneath the crossbar, giving the Arima keeper no chance at all. What a way to break the deadlog and drive a spear into Arima's heart!! Abi and Jonathan of Maestros honoured their word and gave his right boot a kiss. A contender for goal
of the season maybe? =)
The match restarted with Arima again holding the ball in midfield and using the pace on the flanks to exploit the Maestros defence. The equalizer came via a mix-up between the goalkeeper and the covering defender, allowing the Arima forward to poke the ball into an empty net. 1-1 was how the score was going into half time, with heavy rain pouring down onto the field. Good defending by Maestros in the first half.
Second half started Calvin in goal; Walter, Wee Hian, Alan and Jonathan in defence; Abi, Karthik, Gerald, Chris and Alwyn in midfield; Howard in his preferred striker's role. The game was scrappy with both sides not being able to get the ball down to play with pressure being put on both sides.
The second goal from Arima came via a long through ball with the pacy Arima winger latching onto it and finished past Calvin. The third goal came via a deflected freekick with the Maestros wall not organized yet and the Arima player using his quick thinking to score. The last goal came via a tap in after the ball hit the cross-bar. Maestros, to be fair, had their fair share of positive plays, with a few attempts at countering the Arima's slow defence. There were also some one-twos played
between the players. The only thing missing was the finishing touch or the shooting of Star Forward Rong An.
A match that ended in defeat for Maestros meant that the team was relegated from the division and now look forward to winning the division below. We will win the league and come back up after one season. Come on BEES!!
Positives:
1) Players putting in their heart and soul to defend today
2) Not much disciplinary problems on the field today with the fierce refree keeping a hold on the game.
3) Howard's goal =)
Negatives:
1) Players coming late giving the Captain a headache due to lack of players
2) Heavy Rain....
3) Relegation (Shall bounce back fast BEES!!)
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