Final Score: Sunsports Outside United 5 : 1 MFC (Kartik (1))
| Bruised bodies, bruised egos and a bruising defeat; that sums up this weekend's match against the physically formidable Nigerians of Sunsports Ouside United. With Maestro on top of the table, this match proved to be the most challenging of all the matches so far. With close to a full team and riding on a winning streak, Maestro was certainly up for an upset; they have never beaten Sunsports Outside in the previous 2 attempts. However, once kickoff started, the Nigerians showed MFC players the difference between African and Asian players. For all the industry showed by MFC players, they were no match for the Nigerians who were far superior with their fitness and aerial abililty. |
They bossed the midfield and were threatening to run MFC ragged with long balls into the MFC penalty box. The first real chance however, came MFC's way. Guo Xian and Calvin paired up to win the ball off a defender and Guo Xian's short cross was perfectly placed for Gerald to take a shot at goal. The finish however was disappointing as the goalkeeper claimed it effortlessly.
| That chance spurred MFC on, and just 10 minutes later, MFC got on the scoresheet with a fantasic goal; Norris's cross from the left flank found Calvin, who let the ball run for the oncoming Kartik who made no mistake with an excellent first time finish. The goal shellshocked Sunsports Outside but to their credit, they came back stronger. Thus it was no surprise that Sunsports Outside clawed their way back with a well deserved equalizer; a far post cross that was headed past Cross. The first half ended 1-1 but it was MFC who was on the wrong end of the deal. Sunsports Outside's physical presence was felt by many MFCians and at half time, many players were already feeling fatigued. |
The second half began in a smilar fashion as the first with Sunsports Outside confidently stroking the ball around. They got the lead shortly into the second half from a free kick set piece. Keeper Cross's punched the ball and it found its way to a Sunsports Outside player whose shot was cleared off the line by Walter. The clearance fell again to another Sunsports striker who put the ball into the goal. It was demoralising for MFC, especially the defence who did so well to keep the opponents at bay. MFC tried hard to find the equalizer but the Nigerians were a tough act to beat at ball possession.
The match was disrupted midway through the second half when 2 Sunsports Outside players decided to quarrel and fight each other. It was certainly drama as the football action on both pitches were stopped. The referees from both matches had to break up the fight which threatened to boil over. The match resumed after about 10 minutes of disruption and by then, the momentum MFC had built up for the equalizer was gone. MFC continued to leak in 3 more goals and by full time, Sunsports were leading by 4 goals.
The match ended 5-1 to Sunsports Outside and to be honest, Sunsports Outside deserved this victory; only inspired MFC defending and goalkeeping kept the scoreline down. However, what was more worrying is the internal conflicts within MFC which is threatening to rear its ugly head. As Vice Captain Walter put it clearly in the debrief, "If any of you is unhappy with another on the team, tell us or talk to the person directly, don't talk behind the person's back", MFC needs to overcome this hurdle in order for the team to grow more.
High Points
1) Kartik's first goal for MFC also broke the duck against Sunsports Outside United.
2) MFC players really played their hearts out with lots of running.
3) Cross's continued improvement in game reading. He also made a couple of good saves to deny the opponents
4) Firdaus and Big Eric giving a good account of themselves against a tough attacking line
Low Points
1) The fight among Sunsports Outside players; it disrupted the gameplay and made the game end later than it should
2) Guo Xian's early exit meant that we missed our playmaker
3) The internal conflicts between MFC players which could potentially tear the team apart.
4) A 5-1 scoreline does not do justice to MFC for all the effort put into the match.
5) The Nigerians' physical game play meant that many MFCians went back with bruised bodies.
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