Final Score
Munjen Portuguese Club de Futebol regained its winning senses with a 15-5 thumping of Haogang Ashburton FC yesterday.
The match was played in swelling hot temperature, but on a pitch still evident of the heavy pouring rain the day before.
Fans saw the return of left winger Terence in the squad after a series of absence. Needless to say, the pressure was on him to deliver the goal promised.
Skipper Wee Yang was missing in action, and so too were the senior players Jiewei, Darius and Jeremy. Much to the relief of the eager fans, Adrian Chua did report on time to be available for first eleven selections.
Starting line-up: Haris (GK) Wen Xiong (RB) Von (CB) Izzat (CB) Hithaya (LB) Siu Sing (RW) Salman (MC) Aaron Ng (MC) Terrence (LW) Firdaus (FW) Lucien (ST)
Substitute: Adrian Chua / Peter / Adrian Teo
The match had barely warmed up when Lucien bagged his first of the day after neat interplay with supporting striker Firdaus.
The two combined again for MPFC’s second. Firdaus this time slotting in from the tightest of angle after a couple of one-two’s between them.
An own goal by the opposition defender after constant pressure from Lucien saw the score 3-0 up in favour of MPFC.
It seemed to be turning into a day out sun tanning for stand-in goalkeeper Haris, but that wasn’t to be the case. A break in play saw Ashburton storming forward, and the opposition midfielder Khabir popped up to lob the ball over Haris to open the scoring for Ashburton.
Some goalkeeping woes then saw Ashburton clawing yet another goal back. 3-2 to MPFC.
Munjen Portugal stormed back to life, and the introduction of Adrian Chua replacing Salman brought much firepower upfront. It was however, about to be a harsh day for the lethal centre forward.
Peter came on soon after, and so did Adrian Teo who was making his first appearance in MPFC’s colours as part of his two-week trials. And it was this two who combined to give MPFC yet another goal in the first half. A sleek through ball from Adrian released Peter, whose deft turn saw him losing his marker. His swerving shot that followed smacked the upright and went straight into goal. His first goal donning the MPFC colours was truly a goal that any striker would have been proud of!
Lucien and Firdaus then added another goal to their tally each, and the scoreboard showed 6-2 to MPFC.
Ashburton FC got a golden chance later to narrow the gap, but Haris’ agility saw him diving at the feet of the onrushing striker to claim the ball.
Aaron Ng then got his first of the day, to conclude it at 7-2 at half time.
The second half got underway, and Ashburton FC went into a dramatic start, banging in two quick goals following some goalkeeping woes by Haris.
Undeterred by the goals conceded, MPFC went on a determined search for more goals.
Siu Sing bagged in a goal, and Lucien grabbed his hat trick soon after.
Terence then saw a goal ruled off due to offside, and it was evident that he was feeling the added pressure to get a goal of his own.
He got his inevitable goal soon after, and the celebrations that followed showed his relief and joy for the fans.
Adrian Chua, a thorn in the opposition defence throughout the day with his physique and exquisite ball control, dribbled through the defence and presented Aaron Ng with his second, AND third goals.
Adrian nearly got one for his own, after winning a clear penalty following a desperate foul by the opposite goalkeeper in the six-yard box. Khabir chose to stand in as keeper for the penalty kick, and pulled off a fantastic double save – first from Adrian’s thunderous penalty, and later form Haris’ lobbed rebound. Haris certainly felt more comfortable attacking in the opposition's box rather than defending his own.
Five minutes later, Ashburton's playmaker, Khabir, threatened to come back as he slipped passed a napping MPFC defence. His toe-poke shot which seemed destined for the back of the net was parried away by Haris with a fine one handed save - even after slipping due to muddy conditions - for an Ashburton corner.
Another own goal that followed further summed up Ashburton's woes for the day.
Adrian Teo, who was composed and impressive the whole match, sent in a long searching throw which found the hands of a defender – and it was a penalty again to MPFC. Haris claimed to take it, and this time sending the ball into goal despite Khabir diving the right way.
Haris, who had said before the match that his goal today would be dedicated to PHG, then switched roles with Peter, and grabbed a goal of his own from open play following yet another assist from man-of-the-match Adrian Chua.
A goalmouth confusion late into the game between Lucien and Peter saw Peter handling a back pass from Lucien, and an indirect freekick was given in in the six-yard box. The free kick was taking quickly (EHM!) as the MPFC was busy parking their team bus on the goal line. The shot was parried away by Peter’s diving hands, but their second attempt saw the back of the net.
15-5 was the final scoreline, and it was a pretty good game for both sides. Apart from goals galore, MPFC players had positions galore too, and the likes of Hithaya, Izzat, Salman, Wenxiong, Siu Sing, Firdaus and Lucien all tried out different positions throughout the match.
In a post-match interview, Terence shunned away reporters eager to get his comments on his goal, choosing to reserve his comments due to his natural shyness.
-fir
