Maestro FC 3 : 1 Buffalo Wings (Abhi, Norris, GX)
Match Review by GX
Today's friendly match against Buffalo Wings was one that has everything you can ask for - drama, controversy, a 10 second goal conceded by MFC and some comical actions and exchange of words from the opponents.
The 1pm match under the super hot sun quickly drained the energy of all players even before the kick off. Maestro started the match with some of us still changing into our boots. The impatient referee blew for kick off as MFC quickly get themselves ready for the match. Before anyone of us touched the ball, Buffalo Wings scored their first goal after a hopeful long ball from the defense left the forward with a simple loop over keeper Calvin.
The goal conceded in the first 10 seconds certainly shocked MFC, who knew that they have an opponent ready to give their all. MFC started in a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Norris and Wee Hian playing as centre backs, Walter and Kartik as wing backs supporting wingers August and Abhi up front. Eugene was tasked to protect the defense and did really well today in the absence of Maestro hard man Gerald Gattuso Tan. Jinde, Joel and GX made up the first XI, while Norris' two friends Jason and Elton sits on the substitution bench.
MFC always knew that they are good enough to equalize. After the conceded goal, MFC launched waves and waves of attack on Buffalo Wing's goal, only to be stopped by their Ang moh defender who was their obvious top performer of the match. The first drama happened when GX tried to get the ball of the Ang Moh's defender leg. It was a good intense battle by the two players which ended with a handshake. Suddenly, number 00 came over and asked GX not to play rough and challenged him for a fight outside the school. What a childish mindset as even his own teammates was embarrassed by his actions.
MFC waves of attacks on the opponent goal paid off when Abhi toe poked the ball home after running past the right back. It was a result of creating chance after chance as Jinde hit the post with a header, Joel shot went wide after some ambitious running from the centre of the park, and GX left the keeper injured after sliding in to reach for Joel's through pass. 1-1 was the HT score as MFC knew that if they continue to play the same way, it will be another victory.
The instruction at half time was to play patient football and create as many chances as possible. Captain for the day, Norris, made the decision to start with a 4-6-0 formation and give the midfielders the license to interchange position. The second half started with the Ang Moh playing as a forward for Buffalo Wings. MFC discussed at the end of the game that it was that decision that gave MFC attackers the license to get into the opponent 18 yards relatively easy. Wee Hian was tasked to mark him out and did a fantastic job he was reduced to only a short from outside the box as far as I can remember.
Norris made a series of substitution and interchanging of positions which worked wonders to an extent. It was he who scored the crucial second goal to calm the nerves down as MFC increasingly got frustrated with the inability to convert chances into goal. The goal that Norris scored was somehow unexplainable as the ball just rolled slowly into goal with the keeper making no effort to even dive at all. It was actually redemption for Norris as he missed an 1-on-1 effort only 5 minutes before his goal.
The intensity of Buffalo Wings play slowed down when the game entered the final 10 minutes. Every players from MFC was having a crack at goal as play got increasingly stretched. Walter even had a open header from a corner which was missed by a few inches. GX scored the final goal of the match after a long bursting run from right back Kartik. He made a good pass to GX who finished calmly to end the game. Referee ended the game at 3-1.
The game ended with some additional drama as player No.8 Kane came over to Maestro bench to ask Alywin for the ball as he has sky the ball over the gate after an attempt at goal during the match. When Alywin replied that he has attempted to retrieve the ball, Kane replied: "It's okay, I'll ask my captain for the cost of the ball." Hahahaha. What a joke la!
High Points
1. Many passes can be seen in today's game. Improved play overall.
2. Abhi scored another equalizer which was much needed after that goal was conceded.
3. Joel's play and fitness still there despite missing from action for a few months. Good effort.
4. The comeback kings (as always described by xleague) has scored yet another victory after being 1-0 down after only 10secs. This sounds like Man Utd! GGMU!
Low Points
1. Very very hot weather at 1pm.
2. Goal conceded within 10 seconds after KO. Complacency? Lack of concentration?
3. Some childish comments from opponents. Challenging to a fight? Asking us to pay for a ball?!
4. Lack of players in recent games. We hope that once our league season kick off in August, we can have at least 15 players for each league game.
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