Goal!

Sunday, December 07, 2008

IMPORTS SHINE FOR MUNJEN'S HAULING
venue:bukittimahsscarena

Munjen Portugal made a shocking addition to their starting line-up with three of their first foreign loans from Japan. One was loaned from Albirex Niigata while the other two from Singapore Japanese Football Club (SJFC).

Two new additions for the Munjens were Alif on the right wing and Randy flanking the left.

It didn't take long for Munjens to open their scoring when one of their imports struck a poorly cleared ball right on the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net.

With SJFC barely having any time to recover from the early lead, Haris struck on the far side of a Firdaus cross to end his goal drought and bring the score up to 2-0.

With Munjen dominating the half from kick-off, it was no surprise when Munjen added two more with the likes of Guang and Randy.

SJFC however manage to pull one back just before half time to end the first half at 4-1.

Second half saw Kenny and Hithayatullah introduced to bolster the left side of the field. Although it was a relatively slow start, it turned out to be an entertaining half.

SJFC was clearly more rejuvenated than the Munjens and it paid off with a low curling shot that was beyond Wee Yang's reach.

Sensing that they could somehow claw back into the game, SJFC pushed on and almost added a third if not for Wee Yang's heroics, one tipping a header just over the bar and the other turning a far post shot round the upright.

Munjen then stepped up a gear and pushed forward with more purpose and found their fifth through Alif after fending off several SJFC players down the right and slotting the ball coolly past the keeper and into the far post.

A sixth was inevitable as Munjens continue to press the game in the depleted defence of SJFC as Mr Albirex caught the goalie off his line and stung an unstoppable 45 yard strike over the helpless goalkeeper.

As Munjens looked to add the tally, Wee Yang decided to step out of the comfort of his goal and unto the opposing side. He somehow managed a header but as the ball was quickly cleared away by SJFC, the lone striker waiting in the middle of the park had all the time in the world to walk the ball into the empty net.

Munjen fans must be scratching their head thinking their skipper might have lost his marbles.

Five minutes later, Munjen had a corner and were awarded a fantastic own goal any striker would have been proud off with the ball skimming off a defender's head in the near post and the ball bouncing off the far post and into the net.

With the score in Munjens favour - something they have not tasted for a very long time - they surged forward in search of more goals.

A quickly taken free kick by Mr Albirex found Guang flashing down the right flank, cutting in to the penalty area and squaring the ball at the far post which found Haris lurking and smashing home his second of the night.

With the clock ticking down, Guang and Haris made another perfect pairing effort as their perfectly executed run beat the offside trap leaving Guang to square the ball for the unmarked Haris in the centre before taking his time to slot the ball for his hat-trick, tributing it to someone special he lost the day earlier. Despite his goal drought, he certainly has not lost his predatory instincts.

Commented skipper Wee Yang, "Everyone played very very well today. The team can gel very well and we are looking forward for the next match. Kudos to Amin whom I think must be applauded for being the most improved player so far. I hope he can better himself in defence the next time around."

With a field that is as solid as it can get, weather as cooling as ever and imports as good as gold, who could have asked for a better win?

Final score, MPFC 9-4 SJFC.

-haris/MPOM

10:39 PM