Match review by Howard
For the second last game of the X-league season, Maestro FC
went to Bedok South Secondary School to face old foes Whining 11. Thankfully
for both teams, the sky was cloudy and not overly sunny with a good humidity in
the air. With Guo Xian absent, the responsibility for the line-up went to
Karthik and Abi.
MFC kicked off the match in red with 12 players in a
traditional 4-5-1 formation. Brian went in goal, with the defenders being
Walter, Chris, Norris and Jason (Norris' friend). The midfield was marshalled
by Gerald, Hakim and Howard in the middle with Abi and Karthik up front.
Augustine kept his position as the lone striker.
The first half was fairly uneventful with both teams
cancelling each other out. Maestros attempting to go down both flanks with
quick passes for the wingers to take on their markers. Whining 11 playing to a
totally different tune with less passes on the ground and more being sprayed
long via diagonals and crosses that were well cut out by the MFC defenders.
Brian made a couple of good saves from the forwards and got kicked in the ribs
in the process. First half ended 0-0 with spirits up in the MFC camp.
The second half kicked off with Brian, Walter, Chris, Norris
and Zirong in defence. Paul, Hakim, Howard, Abi and Karthik continued in
midfield with Jason playing up top. The second half again was mostly well
contained with Maestros doing well to close down shots and deal with the long
ball tactics of the opponents. A botched clearance gave a Whining 11 midfielder
the ball and despite the best efforts of the defenders to close him down, he
finished to the side of Brian for the first goal of the game. From here on end,
the game became a little scrappy with late challenges resulting in yellow cards
for both sets of players. Words were also exchanged between the players which
resulted in a heated match. The second goal came from a penalty that was
conceded by Howard. A long ball into the box went over the defence and in an
attempt to get the ball, he ended up kicking the number 24 of Whining 11.
Despite the foul, MFC were incensed at the theatrics that accompanied the foul
with him rolling on the ground like as if he had been taken down by a sniper
rifle. Within seconds, he jumped up to take the penalty himself. Brian managed
to get a touch to it but the power of the shot ensured that he could only tip
it into the roof of MFC's net.
Final score ended 2-0 with MFC disappointed with the result
and facing a real danger of relegation.
High Points
1) Good effort by the Bees! Special
mention for Norris who was playing with a fever and Abi who played with a shin
injury.
2) Most players kept their cool despite
the aggravation attempts by the opponents.
3) Jason (Norris' friend) looks a
potential addition to the team.
Low Points
1) Lack of a cutting edge in attack
without regular strikers Rong An and Guo Xian.
2) Referee is not an FAS certified one.
To feedback to the league organizers.
3) Real danger of relegation.
4) Lack of players for important league
matches. MFC started the game with 12 players.
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