Club M 0-3 The Blues : FT Report

 

Fresh from their 4-3 win over the 3rd division NFL team 2 weeks ago, the dodos were highly motivated for this match. The starting line-up was, however, very much different from the side that defeated the NFL team. There were three main absentees in Club M side namely Anwar, Sandy and Ravi.

The match started with both teams trying to impose their dominance in midfield. The battle was hard fought between two very determined sides. The dodos created the first scoring chance of the game when Nicolas was put through by a pass from Alister and found himself alone infront of goal with just the keeper to beat. His shot was, however, off target. An avalanche of scoring chances followed thereafter for club M. But our strikers lacked the killer instinct to finish off the other team.

The Blues played a very defensive game and attempted to break Club M's defence by occasional counter-attacks. In the 25th minute of the game, the 'angmo' striker of the Blues was brought down in the penalty area after a tackle from behind by Brian. The referee, however, awarded an indirect free-kick a few metres from the goal. The keeper did well to block the shot and the dodos could breathe a little. A few minutes later, the No.10 of the Blues was brought down outside the penalty area by the dodo's keeper after a mis-timed tackle. He was lucky to escape a booking after that challenge.

The first half ended with a stalemate with both teams unable to break each other's defence. The second half showed how football can sometimes be cruel. Club M started brilliantly exerting constant pressure on the opponent. Nicolas had a chance to score early in the half but once again his shot was off-target. The Blues responded with a dangerous counter-attack with their No.10 finding himself one-on-one with Thierry. He tried to dribble the dodo's keeper but the latter was fast enough to stop him with a well-timed tackle this time around.

Club M continued their dominance and Alister almost scored after a thundering drive with his right foot, just outside the penalty area, struck the post and was put to safety by a defender. The dodos had a couple of chances to score during corners, which proved to be a real headache for the Blues' defence and keeper. However, the dodos were unable to exploit this weakness in the opposing team.

The turning point of the game occurred after a mistake in the Club M's defence lead to the first goal of the game the 70th minute. The 'angmo' striker was put through the defence with a through ball and escaped a challenge from Brian to send in a square ball. His pass found No.17 who was unmarked at the far post and scored with an easy tap in.

The dodo's defence cracked completely after conceding that goal with their two central defenders finding themselves on a collision course. Bernard asked to be substituted immediately and tensions were high on the pitch. The dodo's morale was dealt with a severe blow, especially after having so many scoring chances.

The Blues were fast to capitalize on the downfall of the dodos and scored a second goal minutes later when the 'angmo' striker was once again put through the defence, under the challenge of Brian. The dodo's keeper was slow to leave his goal posts and his hesitation was punished with the 'angmo' having the better of both Brian and him to score the second goal of the afternoon.

Club M was constantly under pressure from this point onwards and a third goal was inevitable. The second 'angmo' forward added to the dodo's misery by scoring a third goal 5 minutes to the final whistle when he was once again sent past the dodo's defence with a through pass.

It was a game that Club M did not deserve to lose especially after creating numerous chances to score. Lady luck was not on the dodo's side this time. But one thing for sure is that the dodos will need more discipline and team spirit during tough matches like these in order to boost the team's morale during the match.

Reported by Thierry

 

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