Brian's First Goal for Club M!

 

Punggol – Brian scored a sensational header to give Club M a 2-1 victory over title-contenders Four Lions in the dodo's 18 th game of the league. It was a first for Brian in his Club M career and what a way to open his account for the dodos. The game between the top 2 teams in the League provided great drama and suspense until the end. It was indeed a very close and exciting encounter between two well-organized and disciplined teams. The pitch was, however, in a deplorable condition after some heavy rain prior to the match. There were huge patches of water almost everywhere, as any drainage system was seemingly non-existent, thereby spoiling the flow of the game.

The captain had a very good response for this highly anticipated game with 17 players responding to the call. Club M had the first scoring chance of the afternoon when Charles was sent clear of the defense from a through ball by Alwyn, only to miss his shot as the ball ran through a patch of water and came to a complete halt. Had the pitch been in a better state, it would have surely been a goal for the dodos. The dodos dominated the proceedings in the initial stages of the game, keeping the ball in Four Lions half.

However, against the flow of play, it was the lions that went in front in the 20 th minute. A long throw-in from the right, was deflected into the dodo's goal by Dickson, who was trying to head the ball out for a corner. It was a severe blow to Club M who started the game so brilliantly and were so unlucky not to have taken the lead earlier in the game. The players, however, kept their spirits high and focused on breaking down all the lion's attacks. Four Lions were pumped up after the goal and were hungry for more. Lady luck was also on the dodo's side in the 30 th minute when a lion attacker found himself free in the penalty box and he drilled a ground shot towards the left-hand post. The ball completely lost its momentum thanks to a huge patch of mud in front of goal, and in the end was an easy save by the dodo's keeper, who was rarely called into action in the first half.

The dodos obtained a few well-positioned free-kicks in the first half. Our free-kick specialists – Dickson & Ravi, however, could not find the back of the net. Four Lions were very strong defensively and it was very hard for the dodos to break through the defense. The half-time score remained at 1-0 in favour of the lions.

After some team talk during the interval, the captain decided to re-shuffle some players on the pitch and the dodos started the half on the offensive. Club M had the majority of possession in the second half and were in control of the game. Alwyn had a very good chance to equalize early in the half when he inherited a pass from Charles and found himself alone in the box with only the keeper to beat. The lion's keeper was fast to rush out to close Alwyn down and deflected his shot for a corner.

With Club M's dominance over Four Lions, an equalizing goal was imminent and Charles was on target once again for the dodos in the 55 th minute. A pass from Nicolas found the new dodo's marksman in the penalty box on the left. He dribbled past his marker and unleashed a well-struck shot past the left-hand of the helpless keeper directed at the far post. It was joy and relief for the dodos, who clearly had the upper hand at this stage of the game. They pushed forward for a second goal and the midfielders were fighting for every single ball. Nicolas was outstanding in midfield, controlling the game and holding the ball well. Club M used the flanks numerous times to send in crosses, but the lions' defense was better in the air. The dodos played fantastic football in the second half with some wonderful passing.

The moment that sent the dodos into ecstasy took place 10 minutes after the equalizing goal when Brian appeared at the end of a Dickson's corner to head home his first ever goal for Club M at the near post. There was nothing that the lion's keeper could do as Brian surged from behind to beat him to the ball. The dodos deservedly hung on to their slender lead to eventually clinch victory although the lions added some late pressure on the dodos' defense.

Club M has now opened a five-point gap at the top of the league over Four Lions. However, the title is far from being in the bag yet as the dodos will face the lions again in two weeks' time and they will surely look for revenge. This game will be of utmost importance as the dodos must win in order to safeguard themselves against any late charge from Akashi Devils which has two games in hand and could reduce the dodos' lead to just two points, looking at their recent performances. Four more games are left for Club M and only four victories can guarantee that the dodos will be crowned champions of the RS League!

Thierry Chue

----- :: Squad