Club M are Champions!!!

 

Marina South – Club M secured the Championship (RS League) after a thrilling end to the game against Tsunami Ravens winning 4-3. It was a very entertaining match; full of drama, anxiety, frustration, joy and jubilation. The dodos knew how crucial this match was as anything less than a win would put great pressure on them in their last match against BIFC , who were also in contention for the title before Club M's win.

The dodo's keeper was definitely the most relieved player on the pitch after a blunder in the first half resulted in a goal. The built-up to this game was, indeed, very encouraging as most players responded positively to the call-up. A full squad was in the horizon for the first time this season. However, it was ‘trop beau pour être vrai' as we would say in French – only 16 players turned up after a couple of last minute withdrawal.

With Charles being side-lined because of an ankle injury, Sandi and Alwyn were back in the front-line. It was obvious from the start of the game that Club M had a too long break. The flow of the dodo's game was somewhat disorganized and the dodos were struggling to re-discover their rhythm and form, especially in midfield. Tsunami Ravens were a well-disciplined defensive side and they were playing really well, trying to open up the dodos' defense on the break. The dodos enjoyed much of the possession in the first 15 minutes of play and exerted enormous pressure on Tsunami's goal.

However, against the flow of play, it was the Tsunamians who took the lead after a long ball fell behind the dodos' back-line to land on the opposing striker's feet on the left flank. He took off like a small rocket and hammered a powerful ground shot, just outside the six-yard box, across the face of the dodo's keeper, who was slow to react. The title hopes of the dodos took a severe blow after conceding this goal. But the players never gave up and continued relentlessly to assault Tsunami's goal. The Tsunamians were indeed defending very deep with three central defenders.

Five minutes later, Alwyn was brought down in the penalty box and the referee awarded a penalty to the dodos. Sandi stepped up to take the penalty kick and scored in style, sending the keeper in the wrong direction. Tsunami had another chance to take the lead mid-way through the half when a free-kick just outside the penalty box crashed against the bar and bounced on the line. The dodo's keeper was quick to seize the ball under pressure from Tsunami players.

Club M deservedly took the lead after half an hour of play thanks to a comfortable header by Sandi, who beat the Tsunami defenders to the ball after Alwyn's attempted lob, from outside the penalty box. From this point, the dodos were in control of the game before the unthinkable happened. Tsunami equalized 5 minutes before the interval after a blunder by the dodo's keeper, allowing a straight-forward shot slip off his hands to land behind the line. The dodos were stunned and tried to add some pressure towards the end of the first-half. Tsunami Ravens defended really well and it was all-squared at the interval.

The second half took off with another blow to Club M's title aspiration, conceding an early goal that resulted from a corner kick. With the keeper staying on his line and the dodo's defense unable to clear the danger, a Tsunami player, who was unmarked at the far post, volleyed in a superb goal. There was nothing that the dodos could do about that. Tensions were high on the pitch from this point in the game, with Club M feeling the urge to score goals committing unnecessary fouls and losing the ball too easily while trying to push forward.

With the scourging noon sun, the dodos were feeling the heat from not only their opponents but from the sky as well. A number of substitutions had to be made as the players were chasing every single ball. Charles had to be brought in mid-way through the second half and his valuable contribution to the team was instantly felt when he dribbled past the defender on the right side of the pitch, who brought him down in the penalty box. The referee again instinctively pointed to the penalty spot. Sandi confidently took charge and beautifully dispatched the penalty for his hat-trick. He had a great chance to put Club M in front minutes later when he was put clear of the defense by a clever long ball from Patrick Choo. His chess ball control was excellent but he messed up everything after he pushed the ball too hard giving the keeper enough time to collect the ball comfortably.

Towards the end of the match, the dodos were exerting tremendous pressure on Tsunami's defense that was indeed extremely difficult to impregnate. The goal of deliverance came from ‘l'incontournable' Charles three minutes before the final whistle. Alwyn did a fantastic job on the right flank, dribbling past a defender and sending in a perfect cross, with Charles waiting at the far post. The Tsunami keeper got a touch to it and the ball fell behind Charles who managed to turn around to control the ball and unleashed an unstoppable shot past the despairing keeper. The dodos were ecstatic! All the players surged towards him as they were all in a state of joy and jubilation. Minutes later the referee blew the final whistle and the dodos celebrated their first trophy in the Club's history.

The dodos showed great character, determination and a ManU-like ‘never-say-die' attitude, playing the match until the very last second. It was an extremely difficult win that can be attributed to the fact that the players had a too long rest and therefore, the team's momentum took a beating. It's been an unforgettable year for Club M and the long-awaited celebrations can now begin and will definitely last until Christmas and New Year!

 

Thierry Chue

----- :: Squad