Maestro FC 7 : 0 Atlas FC (Rong An x3, Guo Xian x2, Kartik, Howard)
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Match Review by Gerald Tan
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The weather in Singapore these past few weeks is when it rains, it pours. The same can be said of Maestro's recent dramatic decline from title favorites to strugglers and even possible relegation contenders. However, no matter how heavy the rain, it has to stop someday. Today, the rain stopped for Maestro as an encouraging display saw the Bees put 7 past Atlas FC.
What caused the reversal of fortunes? It could be the nice (and larger) Bedok View pitch, the weaker opponents with their solo substitute, the pre-match talk on formation and where players should stand during attacking and defending or even the slightly breezy weather. Whatever the reason, it does not hide the fact Maestro played very well from the first kickoff throughout the entire game.
In a game where everyone did well, it is hard to pick a key player. There were good contributions from everyone. Kartik helped Maestro draw first blood when he struck a long shot from the left wing just after the half way line. The attempt caught everyone, including Atlas keeper off guard as the ball sailed over everyone, into the goal. It was still early days in the game and that baboomza of a goal geared everyone up for more.
The left flank was abuzz with more action as left winger Abhishek was tormenting the Atlas FC players with his surging runs. Along with him, he took on 2-3 players each time but was unlucky to miss out the killer assist when needed. The pre-match instruction for midfield paid off handsomely as Big Eric in the destroyer role was first to almost all loose balls. His assured presence allowed the wingers to spread wide each time he was in possession. With Maestro on a high, it was a matter of time before the flood gates opened.
Shrugging off his poor form of late, Rong An was back to his usual clinical self as he grabbed a first half hat-trick with 3 superb finishes which left the keeper no chance. Each time, when through balls were passed to him and he obliged, sashaying past Atlas defenders before putting his lethal left foot to good use. Supporting him was Thomas who was immense throughout be it with his great off the ball movement or vision to shift play / bring others into play.
4-0 at half time, it was a refreshing change from the past 3 league games when the Bees were trailing. Any fears of complacency was erased as Maestro took to the field again and completed the job by scoring another 3 goals.
The second half belonged to Guo Xian who was mesmerizing to watch as he was in the right attacking positions every time. Linking up well with both right and left wingers Joel and Abhi, Guo Xian was at the centre of all the attacks. If not for timely challenges from Atlas, Guo Xian could have helped himself to more goals.
Sensing the danger man in Guo Xian, Atlas FC gave him a hard time, marking him closely and in the process subjecting him to some hard tackles. The game is fair though as Guo Xian got a brace with 2 well taken goals, of which the first was an absolute beauty. A corner was weakly punched out by Atlas keeper and the ball fell to Guo Xian whose turn-volley resulted in a perfect shot down the middle, with the keeper out of position. His second was cheeky, sneaking from behind an Atlas defender to steal the ball before being put through one on one with the keeper to beat.
In between Guo Xian's goals, Howard got his maiden X League season 2 goal with a well taken free kick. When Norris was felled just outside the penalty box, regular free kick taker Rong An lined up his shot. To everyone's surprise, he dummied the ball instead and Howard duly flighted his free kick to the far right post of the keeper. It was an excellent goal, a reminder of the good free kick takers we have within the team.
There were some nervy moments in the game too when Atlas threatened briefly to score but centre backs Norris, Wee Hian and Chris were always on the alert to thwart the attacks. Chris, who has always played in midfield, is starting to prove a versatile player (in the mould of former Mancunian John O'Shea) with his outstanding contributions at left back or centre back.
Even at 7-0 up, Maestro wanted more. Joel, Jonathan, Abhi all put in good shifts in ensuring Atlas stays on their back foot the entire game. Both Joel and Abhi's runs down the flanks made it hard for Atlas' tiring defenders to do anything. Jonathan himself had a half volley which should have at least hit the target rather than over the bar. The whistle soon came, signaling the end of Atlas' misery.
It was an emphatic win, a good performance of short, simple passes, clinical finishing and good tactical positioning from the whole team. What a way to end the 3 game league losing streak!
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High Points
1) A clean sheet, 7 beautiful goals. What more could we ask for?
2) Good overall team performance from every player.
3) Outstanding mentions - Alwyn, Abhi, Rong An, Thomas, Guo Xian, Big Eric, Chris
4) Beautiful field, great location
5) Kartik's goal was a beauty and morale booster
6) Short simple passing. I don't think we played many long balls today
Low Points
1) Referee was suspect with some decisions including missed fouls on Guo Xian and throw-ins
2) Players still turning up late even though it was explicitly mentioned that the meeting time was 2.30pm. No player deserves to come on time and then have to wait for late-comers.
3) Players not waiting to stay to the end, even though the subs have been used up. We play as a team and support each other, be it on or off the pitch. Leaving just because you don't get to play for the rest of the game goes against what our team should be
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