Maestro FC 2 : 3 Budak Pondok (Hakim 2x)
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Match Review by Gerald Tan
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3 straight losses, 3 straight games on the same problematic pitch, 3 straight games where some players did not play much, 3 straight wasted chances to prove our title favorites credentials. Is this the beginning of the end for Maestro?
A Sunday late afternoon kickoff against familiar opponents Budak Pondok gave Maestro the chance to snap a 2 game losing streak. This was the same Budak Pondok which Maestro played last season in a thrilling 3-3 draw which saw Hakim equalized with virtually the last kick of the game, followed by an excellent 5-2 win under Augustine and Chris' leadership.
Though Maestro players were all geared up for the game with another large turn out of players, it was Budak Pondok's day as they avenged their loss last season by edging out a 3-2 victory over the Bees. Prior to kickoff, Captain Walter addressed the team and explained each player's role in a 4-3-1-2 formation which held up well against previous opponents Grampus FC. However, the half time result was the same as well, with Maestro trailing by 1 goal due to a lucky cross shot which found stand-in keeper Norris off his line.
Even with 2 out-and-out strikers and 1 supporting striker, the Bees were strangely muted in their upfront presence, only threatening from long range shots and half chances. The centre midfield battle was also lost when Budak Pondok focused their play on the flanks. With no Maestro wingers to protect the left and right backs, the 3 man centre midfield become too stretched as centre midfielders Hakim and Eugene drifted wide to cut out the marauding wingers.
The half time score of 1-0 soon became 3-0 after a quick double from Budak Pondak in the second half. First, a Budak Pondok corner was poorly defended as one of their shortest player faced no resistance getting past his marker and heading the ball into the net. The third goal was reminiscent of the first goal conceded against Grampus FC the week before. There was a sense of deju-vu when a low shot crept its way into the far left post beyond the diving keeper Chris Tan, who kindly volunteered to take up goalkeeping duties to allow Norris time upfront.
Just when it seemed downhill from here, Maestro once again proved to be comeback kings, only this time, just like the past 2 games, its "nearly comeback kings". Just as he did in the past game, Hakim was once again the nearly hat-trick man, netting a brace to send pulsating nerves down the Budak Pondok team. Both goals were well taken, low shots placed beyond the Budak Pondok keeper and they were provided through great play between Thomas, Rong An and Norris.
With time winding down, Maestro threw bodies forward but the elusive equalizer never came as the referee blew the final whistle to confirm the third loss in a row for Maestro and further demoralized the team spirit. Is this the end for Maestro's season which seemed to promise so much at the start but is now starting to derail?
The season is not lost, we are not even at the half way mark. We were 3 goals away from 3 deserved points, 3 times we scared our opponents into time wasting, 3 times we nearly came back into the game. The difference between Maestro and other teams is the never-say-die attitude, team spirit and our sportsmanship. If we lose these qualities, then Maestro is truly on its way down. However, from what this writer has seen, every player, whether on the pitch or on the bench, wants to contribute to the team through be it with their cheers or on the field. With every Maestro goal cheered and every conceded goal cursed, all Maestros need to remember that we celebrate our wins as a team, we motivate each other to improve when we lose as a team.
Maestro FC is beyond a team of footballers. We are connected to each other beyond footballing terms, many of us have known each other for so long and we are friends, brothers. As long as these qualities are not lost, a victory is always on the cards. As the saying goes, "the ball is round". We will get our chance to shine and there is always a next game to enjoy with our brothers.
Now who is ready for the next game?
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High Points
1) A third thrilling comeback from 3-0 down
2) Hakim being prolific once again with his second brace in as many games.
3) Norris and Chris offering their help to stand-in as keeper for the absent Brian and Calvin
4) This marks the last game of June of which all 3 games were at the problematic Khalsa pitch. Hopefully next week onwards we get new pitches
5) Centre back pairing Alan and Chris did well with well timed headers throughout
6) Good refereeing today
Low Points
1) Absent goalkeepers, who knows we could have prevented some goals conceded
2) While majority of the Budak players were well behaved, some could be better
2) Of the three conceded, the second goal was particularly disappointing when the shortest Budak Pondok player scored
3) Insufficient playing time for Lil Eric, Augustine, Abhi, Jeff and Howard. This will be addressed to the team next week before the game
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