Goal!

Saturday, February 23, 2008

STROLL IN THE PARK FOR MUNJENS
It was a make or break match for Munjens who was on the back of a two match losing streak. It didn't take long for MPFC to satmp their authority over Terence Friend FC.

However, the final score of 6-0 was just an illusion as had it not been for the missed chances they had, the score would have been easily doubled.

Both sets of teams received a warm applause as the match kicked off on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

It was only in the fifth minute when Munjens had a clear chance on goal when Haris was sent a ball down the middle only to scuffle a shot towards the goalkeeper. Haris squandered another good chance on the left when his left legged shot was easily saved by the goalkeeper.

The match became more frustrating for the forwards as they found themselves wrongfully caught offside several times before finally making a breakthrough in the 37th minute.

A counter attack saw TFFC caught by surprise as they found themselves a man short in defence as a through pass by Adrian to Lucien tore the defence apart before he cooly slotted the ball past the helpless keeper. 1-0 to MPFC.

Munjens should have been up by another goal when a beautifully swung in cross by Siu Sing on the right met the unmarked Haris on the far post only for his header to graze the upright.

Half time score, 1-0 to MPFC.

Tactical changes were seen by MPFC during half time as Terence started out on the right and Firdaus on the left. Totally the opposite of their usual positions. However, this change proved to be vital in the second demolition of TFFC.

It was barely 20 seconds into the second half when a double effort by Haris in the centre proved that he was having an unlucky day today. He first smashed the ball straight into the goalkeeper and when the ball was in favour of being tapped into the empty net, he ballooned the ball sky high for a goal kick.

New trial debutant, Muru, quickly made his presence felt as he ran rampage giving the opposition feel like school kids.

In the 51st minute, Muru single handedly took on his oppsitions before slotting a nice through ball down centre to Lucien who had no trouble in smashing the ball into the net for the second goal. Surely he must have worn his scoring boots today.

It was pretty obvious by now that from the restart, the ball had barely crossed over to Munjen's side of the pitch, yet alone Wee Yang touched the ball.

The game grew more one sided with Munjens charging down both flanks with Terence and Firdaus constantly cutting in and causing trouble for TFFC defence.

As TFFC found it harder to climb back into the game, they were even broken when the third goal cam in.

A mazy run by Firdaus down the left and cutting in into the penalty box left a trail of defenders behind him. As he crossed the ball low into the six yard box for Adrian, defenders were able to clamp down on him fast but he managed to set up the ball to Haris who smashed the ball into the roof of the net with his outsole.

3-0 and sure no turning back.

With already two goals to his name, Lucien set himself up for a shot down low on the left from 25 yards only to see it going just wide.

His third finally came when Adrian's failed shot saw him regain posession and with a simple through pass to Lucien who was waiting in front of goal, the ball was easily converted for him to take the match ball home.

The introduction of Amin for Aaron in the 74th minute brought many an eye-raiser.

With critics on his back, he silenced them with a first touch of clearance that brought a huge sigh of relief to the Munjen fans.

In the 81st minute, a foul on Terence on the right saw Firdaus stepping up for the free kick which was swung in with inch perfect precision and also, an inch-perfect own goal by the TFFC defender who seemed in a daze.

As of now, left back Kenneth has stepped further upfield in search for more goals.

The sixth and final goal came from no other than Lucien who was firing hot today.

Another nice through ball by Adrian after receiving it from Darius in defence, saw Lucien lose the ball. However, a failed clearance by TFFC which hit Luucien's butt saw the ball trickle towards goal and Lucien made no mistake in tie-poking the ball into the back of the net.

The game ultimately paced down with TFFC never did terrorise MPFC's defence except for a solitary shot off target that ballooned over the goal with only Wee Yang to beat.

The final whistle came with a rupturous applause from MPFC's fans who might be wondering, will this be the turning point for MPFC?

Man of the Match - Adrian C

-MPOM/haris

11:32 PM