Friendly ended in stalemate

19 August 2012

Maestros FC 0 : 0 Blue FC

Match Review by Howard

On a relatively warm and humid day, Maestros FC took to the field for a friendly game after the learning a few lessons from the previous game. The opponents were guys in blue, who, despite not having a team name, gave a good game to MFC. MFC started with a full squad of 19 players and  started of with the traditional 4-5-1 formation. Calvin in goal, with Norris,Alan,Chris and the returning Zhirong/Brian forming the back line. The Midfield was held by Augustine, Eugene,Gerald,Jeffrey and Joel with Guoxian in attack.

The match kicked off to a decent tempo with both sides content to probe without giving too much away. The MFC defence was particularly well-marshalled with through balls being kept out well and no shots were fired at Calvin. Due to the tempo of the game, MFC players started to look a little lethargic with a few loose first-touches allowing the opponents to intercept. Then came the first incident of note with the striker from the opposing team making a rash challenge resulting in the first yellow card of the game. A few MFC substitutions were also made to keep the players fresh as well as to add a few new ideas into the game play, but to little avail with both teams cancelling each other out.The first half ended 0-0 without further incident.

The second half began with MFC in the favored 4-5-1 formation again but with a greater focus on trying to get the all important goal that would seal the outcome of the game. MFC started to take control of the middle of the park with the midfielders putting more effort to keeping the ball and spreading the play around. Guo Xian, in particular, put in a good shift leading the line and trying to get the all important goal. 2 shots were taken in quick succession after good feet led to him getting a shot at goal. But unfortunately, the shots went agonizingly close to hitting the target.

With more and more challenges being attempted in the middle of the park, a player in blue got hit in the face and was on the floor for an extended period of time. Jonathan also got a boot in the face which, though accidental, left quite a big bruise on his forehead. More substitions were again made by both sides to push for the win. MFC in particular upped the tempo and tried to get more balls into the box for a finish but just could not get the breakthrough. More fouls and rash clearances by the men in blue were a sign of the degree of desperation with which they were hanging on. Given more time, MFC would have surely made the breakthrough. Unfortunately, the final score of the friendly was 0-0.

Plus Points

1.Good field, referee as well (mostly) sporting opponents

2.Decent composure and passing by most players

3.Most players got good playing time

4.Good play by the defence in keeping a clean sheet

5.Worried the opposing keeper a few times with shots at his goal

Things to improve on

1.Need to improve on first touch as well as finishing

2.More passing needed

3.With only a reported 15 players swelling to 19 players in all, please do remember to indicate your attendance to the Captains earlier to make their work easier