Club M's Great Escape! - Part II

 

PUNGGOL – The match against Uncle United should have been a ride in the park for Club M. However, the dodos were kept at bay for almost the entire game. From the start of the game, it was obvious that ‘The Uncles' were evermore determined not to concede an early goal in this match. They put nearly every player in defense and frustrated the dodos attacking play.

‘The Uncles' gave little space to the dodos and closed them done quickly. Club M had numerous half chances early in the game, but failed to score. Charles produced a moment of brilliance 15 minutes into the game when he deflected the ball past the last man with a delicate touch and headed for goal. The keeper was fast to rush out to claim the ball. Five minutes later, Dickson scored a sublime free-kick from the left edge of the penalty box, giving no chance to the keeper. The dodos' celebration was cut short after the goal was ruled out as the free-kick was taken before the referee actually blew his whistle.

Christopher also had a chance to break the ice for Club M when he was sent clear of the defense from a high ball by Charles with only the keeper to beat. He tried to dribble the helpless keeper and it was too much for him as the defense closed him down quickly. In the end, his shot was blocked and saved by the keeper. Frustration was beginning to build up in the minds of the dodos. They just could not find a way through the lip-tight defense.

Uncle United did have a couple of chances in the first half as well forcing the dodo's keeper to make some awkward saves. The dodos had to be vigilant in defense as they kept pushing forward in the search for the first goal of the evening. The first half ended goalless and we could see the satisfaction on ‘the uncles' faces during the interval. It was, indeed, a heroic performance keeping the dodos at bay for 45 minutes.

Club M stayed with the same formation and tactic in the second half and they were literally camping in Uncle United's side of the pitch. ‘The Uncles' lack of stamina was compensated by lining up 7 defenders in the second half. Their mission was to hack the ball as far as they could and gun down the dodos with their fat bodies.

As the clock was ticking, the dodos were running out of options. Chances were uncountable in the second half. The dodos tried everything to score and even the dodos' defense was upfront to try their luck at goal. Numerous long-range shots from Dickson, Nicolas, Charles, Ravi, Desire, Mehdi and Goolaup were either slightly off-target or saved by the keeper.

The dodos also had a couple of chances to score from corner kicks. Charles came the closest as he saw his well-timed header crash against the bar half way through the second half. The dodos had the biggest scare of the game 15 minutes before the end when the defense was taken by surprise and one of the ‘uncles' found himself alone with only the dodo's keeper to beat. He managed to lob the keeper and, luckily for the dodos, missed the target by just a few centimeters. It was relief in the dodo's camp as the ball sailed out for a goal-kick.

With just 10 minutes left on the clock, tension was rising high on the pitch. One of the ‘uncles' could not handle the pressure and deliberately kicked Brian after they both challenged for a high ball. The referee had a clear view of the incident and had no other choice than to send him off. The dodos were hoping to make their numerical advantage count in the dying minutes of the game and it did. Five minutes before the end, it was great relief and jubilation for the dodos as Patrick Choo scored following a meddle in the penalty box. As Ravi sent in a low cross from the left, the ball was stuck in the mud infront of goal. Charles and Goolaup were first on the ball, but both failed to slide the ball past the despairing keeper and then Patrick Choo surged from nowhere to chip the ball over the keeper for the golden goal!

This goal was, indeed, the most important one he ever scored for Club M! Final score Club M 1 Uncle United 0. This is, without doubt, Club M's greatest escape so far in the competition.

Thierry Chue

----- :: Squad