MFC triumph in friendly

MFC 2 - 1 White FC (Jinde, Norris)

Match Review by GX

As the year comes to an end, it looks like everyone is in festive mood. Even our league organiser, X-league, remains uncontactable as MFC looks for the final details to this weekend league match against table toppler Armani FC. However, our usual MFC match organizer, Brian, once again arranged a friendly match for us to keep up our momentum after last week's fantastic draw against Stallionz FC. MFC would have preferred to play a league match today with a strong and balanced turnout of players in all areas of play. However, our opponents (we call them White FC since they are in white) in this friendly is not a pushover too. MFC arrived at Shu Qun Secondary School with a light drizzle already finding the opponents setting up cones and warming up. From the first whistle, MFC knew that today's friendly is going to be a good fight between the two teams - which is what MFC is looking for - to build on match and physical fitness.

Starting XI: Calvin, Howard, Alan, Norris, Hakim, Gerald, Guo Xian, Jinde, Kartik, Jonathan, Alywin.

Substitutes: Walter, Brian, Joel, Gary.

The light drizzle didn't help at all as both team misplaced passes and shots early on in the game. Both teams started cautiously but it was MFC who settled faster and playing the better football mid way through the first half. However, White FC defended resolutely and were quick to repel MFC's attack. What's impressive is White FC would use this to their advantage and launched multiple counter attacks. However, with MFC defending as a collective unit, they were limited to just one goal attempt in the first half.

Jinde was starting to be the star man of MFC in the first half as he calmly held up play and waited for his teammates to join in the attack. One of those attacks resulted in a corner awarded to MFC. A poorly cleared corner allowed Jinde to sneak an opening goal (the goal looks like Van Persie's goal against Fulham) for MFC. MFC begin to play with more passes to dominate the first half. Sensing another goal coming, captain GX substitute Walter for Alywin, with Norris playing the lone striker upfront. Within a couple of minutes, Norris duly scored after some good play by Jinde. It was a nice top corner tap in (just like Van Persie's goal (again) against Sunderland yesterday) for a man who has such potential as a forward but has not delivered regularly. 2-0 to MFC.

As a team, MFC was tiring towards to end of the first half. As mentioned, White FC launched fast counter attacks and it was one of those towards the end of first half which resulted in White FC halving MFC's lead. It was White FC first goal attempt which resulted in a goal. However, everyone on the field would have given an applause to the strike as the shot was hit with such a technique that it was almost impossible to save it. However, keeper Calvin managed to get a hand on it, but it was not enough to keep that ball out. Should Calvin managed to divert it past the post, the save would have been better than the shot. We all agreed that the goal was the best of the match.

MFC started the game in the second half just like the first - to play a pressing game in the opponent's half. Captain GX emphasized that there is no need for any panic button as White FC have only one goal attempt in 45 minutes of play. MFC continued their 4-2-3-1 formation in the second half. There were rare few chances for both team in the second half as MFC contents to see out the game. It was a collective effort with all MFCians putting in a good shift in their respective positions. Special mention goes to Jinde who continued his role of calming the play whenever is needed.

The game ended 2-1 in favor of MFC. It was a technically challenging match to play in as MFC continues their assault in the X-league. Some interchanging of passes between the defense and midfield could be seen and our defense performed admirably to restrict White FC to only one goal attempt and some half chances. There should be no match next week as almost the full team will be attending Chris' wedding next Sunday.

High points:

1. Collective efforts from all MFCians, with all tactically disciplined and playing well in their roles. Good communication too with defense and midfield.

2. Great weather and nice field for a Sunday kick about.

3. Special mention to Jinde, who will/should be a key component of MFC play.

4. Norris finally scoring a goal. Has been a long time.

Low points:

1. White FC perhaps talking a little too much after a few hard (but clean) tackles from MFC. Some wanted to referee (who is one of the Malay referee at Katong) to issue yellow cards.

2. Could have scored one or two more if we are more clinical in front of goal.