Maestro FC 5 : 2 Vipers FC (Rong An x4, Hakim)
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Match Review by Gerald Tan
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X league duties resumed for Maestro after a 6 week hiatus and the Bees continued the 3 match winning streak by beating a spirited Vipers FC 5-2. Top scorer Rong An did his Golden Boot ambitions no harm, with a strong performance rewarded with 4 goals.
The scoreline could have gone very wrong as Vipers drew first blood 10 mins into the first half when their captain scored a screamer from long range. Keeper Calvin could only helplessly watch the ball lob over him and it was not the start Maestro was looking for.
The Bees dug deep and soon punished Vipers for lax defending as Hakim was allowed too much space to ghost into the penalty area for a well placed right footed shot. Relief could be seen on the sun baked faces of Bees and they never looked back. Hakim had a second chance to bring Maestro into the lead when he found himself in a similar goalscoring position but this time, his shot was too high. Growing in influence, Hakim and his partner down the left flank tormented the right back continuously, winning throw-ins, delivering crosses and the occasional shots.
Although Vipers FC would go onto score a second goal in the second half, courtesy of a dubious penalty decision for a ball decision by the referee but truth be told, they were never going to get anything from the game. Not when the striker deemed the deadliest striker in the whole X League - Rong An, was on top form.
Perhaps it was the long hiatus from X League, the desire to win the league Golden Boot or the good teamwork which supported his forays forward, what can be agreed would be that words simply cannot describe the Rong An's talent when he hits top form. The Bees only need to watch in awe and appreciate the goals. 4 consecutive goals, 3 from open play and his first long range free kick goal effectively condemned any hopes of a Vipers comeback.
As talented as Rong An is, so was his determination to excel. Mid way through the second half, he was felled by a strike to his cheek resulting in a bloodied lip and what seemed like a broken tooth. Bleeding from the gum, he rinsed his mouth and requested to resume the game even though he had already registered a hat-trick. Nothing could stop his determination to reach his target of 4 goals, not even a broken tooth. Hence it was sweet rewards for him when he scored his 4th goal, ala a first long range free kick after what seemed an antagonizing long wait to score his first free kick this season.
Though it was the Rong An show, other players also cemented their status as key players with good performances. The Bees' most natural winger- Joel, showed his talent by consistently making the sure the Vipers left back had a torrid time. At one point, he beat 4 players, one after each other, as he strode down the flank. Big Eric and Jon also provided good support, tracking back and attacking from centre midfield. Kartik continued his recent rich vein of form as he combined very well with Hakim all afternoon while Norris, Wee Hian, Chris did well at centre back to marshal "Messiah". Efforts from Jeramy as a striker was also noteworthy as he closed down the Vipers' defenders down fast and gave them a jittery time throughout.
Another strong and fantastic performance from the Bees while the climb up what seems like a lopsided league table continues. Only 4 games remain of the season and should the Bees win at least 3 of them including Grampus FC, the return to the big time as Division 2 champions would be likely.
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High Points
1) Rong An scoring 4 goals and his first free kick of the season. He is now on 13 goals in 10 games.
2) Good overall team performance from every player.
3) Another win, time to climb the table
4) Hakim was outstanding once again, calm and excellent ball control
Low Points
1) Was it really a penalty or ball to hand?
2) Some jittery moments between Calvin and the defenders
3) Maestro still seem nervy passing the ball around; could it be due to nerves of losing the ball due to it being an X League game?
4) The new X League Umbro ball brought about some laughs including unexplainable falls by Captain and Vice
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