Maestro collapsed after going 3-1 up.

Maestro FC 3 : 4 USSR United (Hakim, GX, Desmond) 

Match Review by Anonymous 

Today's last league game of the season marks the end of MFC's third season in a league. The result also see MFC relegated to Div 4 next season. The decision to continue playing in the X-league will be decided next week at MFC quarterly outing. It has been a steeping learning curve for everyone as we look forward to our next adventure in the coming months. The recent unavailability of players has crippled the team's strength to go for the 3 points in our last few league games. Thankfully, last minute inclusion of Wee Hian and Howard makes up the eleven players for today's league match against strong opponents USSR United. Also, Jeramy has helped to call three of his friends (Desmond, Keith and Josh who happened to be Howard's friends too) to strength the team today. 

The match started with two FRAS referees. Yes, it was 2 referees and yes, they are not FAS referees which was supposed to be part of the rules and regulations and which was suppose to be what we paid for. The third referee (linesman 2) casually walked into the school at 1512hrs with 22 players on the pitch waiting for him. The referee wore yellow which was exactly the same shade of yellow as MFC. For moments during the match, this writer thought that there were 12 MFC players on the pitch. Shouldn't the referee wear a different colour as the players? The 12th man for MFC certainly didn't turn up as the referee continued to make dubious decisions throughout the match. Worse, he was seen shouting at both sets of players when they asked him for some of the decisions made. We were also warned before the match that this referee is a strict one, but Navin, if you are reading this, a strict referee does not have to be a shouting referee but one who speak and explain his decisions well. But before all these are addressed, please tell your referee to be properly attired. 

MFC started with their usual 4-2-3-1 formation. The game also saw our keeper Calvin starting in goal after a 2 months absence. USSR started the match with more intentions and made several attempts on goal early in the game. Rusty Calvin was equal to the task, although was slow in getting off his lines. One long clearance from USSR captain from his own half saw the ball bounce over Calvin to give USSR a 1-0 lead. MFC did not let the fluke goal affect their morale as they went in search for an equalizer. A through pass and a lucky deflection from GX to Hakim saw MFC equalized just 5 minutes later. Hakim, who was playing in an advanced midfield role, continued to torment the USSR defense who were struggling to cope with the interchanging of passes between the frontmen.

Hakim was again through on goal when he was brought down in the penalty area. The referee pointed to the penalty spot to the surprise of both sets of players on the pitch. To many MFCians, it was a dubious decision but we would take the penalty any day. GX, who missed the penalty against Armanis two weeks ago, stepped up calmly for the penalty knowing that it will be a crucial goal to bring MFC into the lead just before half time. He made no mistake this time as MFC went into break with a 2-1 score line. The half time team talk was to contain their No. 10 who was one goal short of the top scorer award, currently held by MFC's very own Xu Rong An. The defense was doing well in the first half as USSR did not really threaten MFC apart from some shots taken from outside the 18 yards. 

MFC continued the second half with the same formation and within minutes, Desmond put MFC 2 goals ahead for a 3-1 lead after some fantastic play from the midfield. Immediately after the restart, Josh had a simple task of tapping the ball into an open net for a 4-1 lead, but it was not to be his day as the ball was trapped between his legs. MFC was certainly cruising in the first 15 minutes of the second half and should have been in a 5-1 lead. It went all wrong from there as MFC conceded from a well taken corner mid way into the second half. Shortly after, USSR got a free kick just outside penalty area. The first attempt was well blocked by the 3 men wall. But the referee blew and called for the free kick to be taken again. Another weird decision from a very incompetent referee. USSR scored from the retake as Calvin should have done better with the save. Both goals were scored by their No. 10 who will top the goal scorer chart now. 

USSR went from strength to strength after the equalizer as they went in search for the winner with waves after waves of offensive play. The defense, well marshaled by star defender Norris, continued to shut out the pressure. MFC season ended in heartbreak when they conceded late into the game as a USSR player was put through on goal and placed the ball neatly into the bottom right side of the goal. Despite the best efforts of Norris playing as a forward in a 3-5-2 formation in closing minutes to search for an equalizer, it was not to be MFC's day as they ended the season with just 3 wins. 

Player No. 3 of USSR (Michael Dalichau) can be seen and heard mocking at MFC's goalkeeper throughout the entire match. But sadly, the referee choose to ignore the whole incident. 

Good Points 
1. Positive play from Desmond, Keith and Josh. Showed nice footwork and very good technique.

2. Respectable opponents who are here to play football. Maybe one or two of them talked a bit too much.

3. Committed football match played by all MFC players today. Everyone want a share of the play, asking for the ball to be played to them.

Bad Points 
1. The referee.

2. The assistant referees.
3. The referee and the assistant referees.