Match Review by Guo Xian
The general feeling of all is that MFC didn't really deserve a 4-1 spanking by the joint league leaders as it wasn't particularly a poor performance from the div 3 strugglers. Stallions took their chances well when/where it matters and scored three inside the first half an hour to settle the match.
The match was well over when late comers Norris and guest player Hairul enter for some remaining minutes in the first half. MFC started the match with 12 players under the gloomy weather. MFC nearly didn't have the eleven to start the match as most players were unavailable due to a variety of reasons, but the team is also blessed with a few COMMITTED PLAYERS who came for the match despite having events before and after the 3pm league match.
MFC started the match with the traditional 4-2-3-1 formation - Calvin being the keeper, a severe lack of defenders see Eugene playing at CB and Augustine at RB. GX and Kartik made up the back four. Gerald, the destroyer, played alongside another guest player Eugene Lim, with Hakim in the playmaker role flanked by Abhi and Joel and spearheaded by Jeramy upfront.
With a lack of players and the rain getting heavier, MFC knew it was going to be a long day ahead. MFC suffered a further setback early in the first half when wing wizard Joel suffered an injury to his forth toe which probably look as big as his first toe now. Looks like a serious injury. Please get well soon Joel!
MFC has been warned before the match that No. 7 of stallions united will be the key player of the team. It is no coincidence he is currently the league top scorer and MVP. Despite the best efforts of all defensive players, the player was involved in almost all Stallions attacks. Eugene Lim put in a great shift and Gerald, as usual, committed his tackles hard to prevent the player from advancing.
MFC got a taste of this player early in the first half when he totally owned the left flank. An early corner conceded led to the first goal when Calvin spilled a routine catch and the rebound was bundled over for a one goal deficit. Stallions' second goal soon followed when No.7 was fed with a through ball and with a bit of trickery, scored his team second with a thunderous shot. The match was over when he fed his fellow forward, who was in an offside position, to score his team's third. By then, MFC was deflated and Capt GX introduced Norris and Hairul, who was MFC's only threat and bright spark throughout the rest of the game.
The half time team talk was all about damage limitation. As comeback kings of the league, the instruction was to soak the pressure and look for a goal through counter attacks. There wasn't any major incidents in the second half as the game was played under minimal visibility with the downpour making playing football difficult.
The second half saw a more familiar line up. Walter was installed to his RB position and together with GX and Norris, were tasked to keep No.7 quiet. Other notable changes were Yangde replacing Calvin as keeper and Jeramy playing at the right flank.
Hairul continued to display his silky touches and close control as he came close to breaking the deadlock for MFC. A free kick won just outside the 18 yards was dispatched beautifully into the top corner, leaving the keeper no chance. He nearly scored MFC's second with a clever turn which would have change the dynamics of the match. It was not to be as the keeper made an outstanding save to make up for his earlier blunder. That proved costly, as Stallions scored their fourth and final goal. Yangde made a wrong decision to come 30 yards out from his goal to make a clearance. No.7 (again) had an easy task of lobbing Yangde, who until then had a good game with a few accurate passes to the frontmen.
4-1 the final score and MFC slide down into the relegation zone with 5 points in 6 games. It was a score which did not really truly reflect the game. Stallions took their chances when it matters and MFC could have done better with the goals conceded, particularly the first and fourth goal. Until all our players stick together and are available to play some part in MFC's quest to attain a better position in the league, we have to be contented with just playing football on a Sunday afternoon.
Captain GX caught up with ex-vice captain Gerald to give his view on the match.
GX: What are your thoughts on today's league match against Stallions United?
Gerald: Credit to the players who played today. I felt we performed decently, with some good attacks especially the Kartik, Abhi, Hakim combination down the left flank. Hairul should have gotten a hat trick and Jeramy a brace as well. Credit to Eugene as well, having been played out of position at centre back for the first half, followed by a good display at centre midfield. The downside was that we were not strong enough to repel Stallions' attacks, especially from their No.7. Stallions' main threat seems to come from their No. 7, who really can score, close down and assist effectively. He reminds me very much of Rong An and I would reckon that the scoreline would have been closer if Rong An had played.
GX: MFC has lost two consecutive league matches and three overall. What do you think can be done to stop the rot?
Gerald: Our form has been dismal and it hurts to see us languishing near the bottom. We don't deserve this. However, we have ourselves to blame - schoolboy errors, missing key players, short of players, lack of aggression and drive to do well in games and most importantly, lack of attacking threat (no disrespect to MFC strikers). We need to stop the rot, we need to up our game play, have our key players like Rong An, Alan, Hakim, Thomas play more regularly. Maestro might need some new additions as well, given we have players like Jonathan, Big Eric and likely Jeffrey who will be out for long periods. Jin De and Eugene (the new Eugene) seem like quality to me so hopefully we can have more like them, in defence and attack.
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