Matured performance from MFC earned team an exciting 2-2
draw.
Match review by Guo Xian
Maestro FC 2 - 2 Tsubasa FC (Xu Rong An x2)
Perhaps it was the big size, well respected and experienced opponents. Perhaps it was a new pitch. Perhaps it was the on and off rain. Or perhaps, maybe, it was the first match under a new leadership. Somehow, today's league match against new opponents Tsubasa FC feels different. No energy, no movement, lethargic and very afraid, especially in the first half.
MFC started their second league game under the hot afternoon sun. New vice captain Rong An have a good mix of players to select from, starting with the ever safe 4-5-1 formation.
Starting 11: Calvin, Walter, Norris, Chris, Howard, Gerald, Big Eric, Jonathan, Abhi, Joel, Rong An.
Substitution: Guo Xian, Eugene, Alywin, August, Kartik.
Both teams started cautiously exchanging passes in their own half, getting to know each other better. Tsubasa FC had a good share of possession and started to stamp their authority on the game with good wing play after mid-first half. For some unknown reason, MFC were chasing shadows as our play become static and lethargic. It was one such incident when a good exchange of passes found a Tsubasa winger at the byline. Ever reliable Norris, in an attempt, to prevent the cross, went sliding in and conceded a penalty. Calvin makes a soft save and the rebound was converted by the Tsubasa penalty taker. Tsubasa continued to apply pressure on MFC defense, but the core of defensive players, Norris, Chris, Big Eric, Gerald, Jonathan and Eugene took turns to break down the promising attacks. It stayed this way until the end the half.
Captain GX made a few changes at the half and asked MFC to start the second half with more purpose. MFC started in an attacking 4-4-2 formation with the sole purpose of finding the equalizer early. It came via a Gerald through pass to Rong An (just like last week when Gerald made the through pass to Rong An to score the winner). However, this time, Rong An was brought down and the referee gave no hesitation to award the penalty. Rong An stepped up confidently to convert the penalty to bring the game back to MFC.
It began to rain shortly after which may have change the course of the game. The game nearly became a disaster for MFC as crunching tackles came flying in thick and fast. Misplaced passes were aplenty as both teams failed to adapt to the wet conditions quickly. Kartik, playing at left back, play a back pass to Calvin and miscommunication between the two players result in a silly own goal conceded. Morale within the MFC camp was low and it seem like the result will stay this way till the end of the match. However, a through pass to Rong An by Guo Xian was met with three defenders surrounding him. Just like how he has saved MFC on several occasion, Rong An did it again with a snap shot which the opposition keeper can only push it into his own goal. MFC attack came alive after the goal and the team feels that with probably abit more time given, they would have scored the winner. It was a strong and matured performance by MFC as they see out the game under the pouring rain.
It was a good tough fight from two very competitive team under two different extreme weathers. Tsubasa FC is probably one of the friendliest opponents MFC has met in a while. With their composed passing and good techniques, Tsubasa FC will be a team to watch out for. While for MFC, 2 games into the new season against worthy and tough opponents. 4 points from a possible 6. Not a bad start as MFC push for greater honors this season.
As for Big Eric, it was his last game for MFC as he embarks on his career attachment in the USA and maybe going to trials for LA Galaxy. MFC wish him all the best and hope that he will be back soon (next July) to wear the legendary No.5 jersey again.
Also, today marks the last game of the year for Chris as he prepares to make a little Chris (quoted from Eugene). MFC wish him all the best for his wedding and wish Chris and Zephyr happiness.
Good points:
- Mature performance at the end of the second half.
- When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Many players stepping up to the occasion when it seem like the match is lost midway through the second half. Walter playing above his usual standard, August returned despite saying he heard a crack in his knee (LOL), the core defensive players as mentioned above stuffing out Tsubasa attacks time and time again.
- Another splendid performance by our indispensable striker, Rong An.
- Friendly opponents and clean fair play.
Bad points:
- Poor weather conditions. The field became a swimming pool at 3.30pm.
- Regrettable decisions that Alywin, Abhi and Howard play less than a half. Playing time even itself out throughout the season.
- Communication still seem like a problem for MFC on the pitch. Perhaps we need to do some communication games?
- Static, lethargic and afraid performance in the first half.
Match review by Guo Xian
Maestro FC 2 - 2 Tsubasa FC (Xu Rong An x2)
Perhaps it was the big size, well respected and experienced opponents. Perhaps it was a new pitch. Perhaps it was the on and off rain. Or perhaps, maybe, it was the first match under a new leadership. Somehow, today's league match against new opponents Tsubasa FC feels different. No energy, no movement, lethargic and very afraid, especially in the first half.
MFC started their second league game under the hot afternoon sun. New vice captain Rong An have a good mix of players to select from, starting with the ever safe 4-5-1 formation.
Starting 11: Calvin, Walter, Norris, Chris, Howard, Gerald, Big Eric, Jonathan, Abhi, Joel, Rong An.
Substitution: Guo Xian, Eugene, Alywin, August, Kartik.
Both teams started cautiously exchanging passes in their own half, getting to know each other better. Tsubasa FC had a good share of possession and started to stamp their authority on the game with good wing play after mid-first half. For some unknown reason, MFC were chasing shadows as our play become static and lethargic. It was one such incident when a good exchange of passes found a Tsubasa winger at the byline. Ever reliable Norris, in an attempt, to prevent the cross, went sliding in and conceded a penalty. Calvin makes a soft save and the rebound was converted by the Tsubasa penalty taker. Tsubasa continued to apply pressure on MFC defense, but the core of defensive players, Norris, Chris, Big Eric, Gerald, Jonathan and Eugene took turns to break down the promising attacks. It stayed this way until the end the half.
Captain GX made a few changes at the half and asked MFC to start the second half with more purpose. MFC started in an attacking 4-4-2 formation with the sole purpose of finding the equalizer early. It came via a Gerald through pass to Rong An (just like last week when Gerald made the through pass to Rong An to score the winner). However, this time, Rong An was brought down and the referee gave no hesitation to award the penalty. Rong An stepped up confidently to convert the penalty to bring the game back to MFC.
It began to rain shortly after which may have change the course of the game. The game nearly became a disaster for MFC as crunching tackles came flying in thick and fast. Misplaced passes were aplenty as both teams failed to adapt to the wet conditions quickly. Kartik, playing at left back, play a back pass to Calvin and miscommunication between the two players result in a silly own goal conceded. Morale within the MFC camp was low and it seem like the result will stay this way till the end of the match. However, a through pass to Rong An by Guo Xian was met with three defenders surrounding him. Just like how he has saved MFC on several occasion, Rong An did it again with a snap shot which the opposition keeper can only push it into his own goal. MFC attack came alive after the goal and the team feels that with probably abit more time given, they would have scored the winner. It was a strong and matured performance by MFC as they see out the game under the pouring rain.
It was a good tough fight from two very competitive team under two different extreme weathers. Tsubasa FC is probably one of the friendliest opponents MFC has met in a while. With their composed passing and good techniques, Tsubasa FC will be a team to watch out for. While for MFC, 2 games into the new season against worthy and tough opponents. 4 points from a possible 6. Not a bad start as MFC push for greater honors this season.
As for Big Eric, it was his last game for MFC as he embarks on his career attachment in the USA and maybe going to trials for LA Galaxy. MFC wish him all the best and hope that he will be back soon (next July) to wear the legendary No.5 jersey again.
Also, today marks the last game of the year for Chris as he prepares to make a little Chris (quoted from Eugene). MFC wish him all the best for his wedding and wish Chris and Zephyr happiness.
Good points:
- Mature performance at the end of the second half.
- When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Many players stepping up to the occasion when it seem like the match is lost midway through the second half. Walter playing above his usual standard, August returned despite saying he heard a crack in his knee (LOL), the core defensive players as mentioned above stuffing out Tsubasa attacks time and time again.
- Another splendid performance by our indispensable striker, Rong An.
- Friendly opponents and clean fair play.
Bad points:
- Poor weather conditions. The field became a swimming pool at 3.30pm.
- Regrettable decisions that Alywin, Abhi and Howard play less than a half. Playing time even itself out throughout the season.
- Communication still seem like a problem for MFC on the pitch. Perhaps we need to do some communication games?
- Static, lethargic and afraid performance in the first half.
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