Maestro FC 2 : 0 China FC
(Hakim, Rong An)
Match Review by Eugene FU
No X-league
match this weekend… No worries… Friendly matches also can…
Today’s
match saw Maestro FC with a team of 18 players available to be fielded. It also
saw the return of Hakim after he took a short break to prepare for IPPT. With a
fine array of choices upfront in attack, it was any manager’s wet dream. This
being a friendly game, Maestro FC took it as an opportunity to experiment with
their formation and reorganize the players into different positions. It also
saw Augustine and Chris taking on the role as Captain to practice their
leadership skills.
Our
opponents China FC (Unfortunately we could not get their name but we will call
them China FC), were made up of a handful of players with good ball control,
and also well built players that towered most of the players on the field.
Player 99 bare resemblance with the Hulk from Avengers, or the Big Show from
WWE. That literally made China FC’s strength being their strength (in built).
The game
started in a hot, humid and sunny condition which could ignite any hot headed
person into a heated squabble. Within the first quarter of the match a
disagreement between one of China FC’s players and the referee over the taking
of their free kick resulted in a temporary interval, which nearly saw the match
being cancelled. After a couple of cool headed discussion and convincing from
both teams, the match eventually carried on.
Maestro FC
created few opportunities in the first quarter. The replacement of 7 Maestro FC
players in the middle of the 1st half provided the team with fresh
legs and also created a few chances from the wings.
The
substitution saw the first opportunity created. Walter “chiong-ed” from right
back into China FC’ penalty area to support in attack while Joel was flying down
the right wing. With a series of dazzling step-overs, Joel delivered a cross into
the penalty area which found Walter’s head. The ball flew across the goal and
went wide. A missed opportunity and the 1st half continued with few
goal scoring chances from both sides before it ended.
Not long
after the start of the 2nd half, a back pass within the penalty box
awarded Maestro with an indirect free kick at 3-4 feet away from the goal line.
Guo Xian set up Eugene for the indirect free kick which was blocked by the
Great Wall of China. Opportunity lost but it did not take long before Maestro
opened the scoring account.
With Hakim
being pushed forward to take on the left wing position after playing at left
back during the first half. A series of one-two passes allow Hakim to break
through the Chinese defense. With cool composure, he dribbled passed 3
defenders before leaving himself going one-on-one with the goal keeper. He calmly
delivered the ball to the right side of the goal keeper… 1-0.
China FC
created a couple of chances. The first chance was produced by their left
winger, who drew Maestro’s defense towards him before he sent a low cross
towards his striker who was loitering outside the centre of the penalty box.
The striker’s ball swerved towards goal and found the gloves of Brian deflected
off his palms and nearly crept into goal. The second chance was created yet
again by their left winger who dribbled and delivered the ball across the empty
penalty area.
With another
set of substitution done by Maestro, Rong An caused panic to China FC’s defense
as he dribbled in from the left wing. Nearly in similar fashion with Hakim, Rong
An’s precision control had him dribbled pass their defense before slotting
Maestro’s 2nd.
China FC
having no substitutes saw them running dry towards the end of the 2nd
half as they were swarmed with attacks and were muted by our midfield. Player
99 surprised many when he ran down the left flank like a raging bull.
Unfortunately he injured himself along the way and China FC lost their towering
defender. Not long after that, one of China FC’s players picked up a few knocks
and was on and off the field for most of the 2nd half, effectively
leaving them with 9-players.
Despite
having 9-players, they will able to tame Maestro and the match ended with the
score line 2-0.
High points
- 5 games winning streak… 6 games next week
- A couple of good saves from Brian gave us a clean sheet
- Man of the Match Jeffery - Adjusted well to his new found role in centre midfield from Jeffery’s usual position as striker. He showed composure as he let his good ball control and distributing do the talking… like a boss
- Chris has no lungs. He ran from defense to attack along the left side of the field for the whole of the 2nd half.
- All the defenders played well today. Our left and right backs were not fearful of venturing up the field as they provided support in attack.
Low points
- Fair play and less play acting strongly encourage to everyone playing football.
- Control of midfield was non-existent in some point of the game.
- More goal scoring should have been done. We must look into this issue.
- Abhi went out with a suspected shin splint after the first half.
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