MCFC ends 2008 in resounding victory!

As the year comes to a close, one of the major highlights of my life would be the formation of Mount Carmel Football Club. I’m so glad I need not look any further to look for close brothers-in-Christ than in our team. For all the sweat, blood and tears shed, in addition to all the jokes and laughter shared, I’m glad we have grown- not only as players, but also as a group of friends in Christ. I’m encouraged to see that the Beautiful Game is not our common link, but by our God-centered friendship.

Here’s a tribute to each one of you. (Apologies if I’ve missed anyone out)
Keith
Impenetrable, Solid, Dependable

Tim Tay
Fearless, Strong, Perseverer

Mark Choo
Tough-tackling, Hard-hitting, Trigger-happy

Mattheus
Fast, Precise, Marauding

Kern
Swift, Skillful, Free-Scoring

Marcus
Visionary, Anchorman, Defensive

Aaron Lee
Feisty, Impulsive, Dangerman

Uncle Tai Wah
Forceful, Decisive, Resolute

Uncle Sam
Evergreen Veteran, Energetic, Limitless

Vincent
Creative, Ball Controller, Passer

Seng
Breakneck, Dribbler, Goal-Poacher




So MCFC ended the 2008 season with a marvelous trashing of an anonymous team 7-1. We thought that we were in for a long afternoon after conceding 10 minutes into the first half. But due to some intelligent play plus additional trial and error, the home team managed to find the opposition’s weakness- long aerial balls into the heart of the opposing defence.

They cracked. And MCFC was up 3-1 by half time with superbly placed goals from Seng and Kern. However, Carmel was counting their losses after a feisty first half. Seng who scored twice earlier had to be taken off the match as an opposing defender injured his right ankle.

Carmel was also buoyed by the return of their first choice keeper, Joel. His goal was impenetrable after the first conceded goal. The confidence grew with each save and parried made.

Shawn Poon replaced Aaron Lee at the start of the second half and paired with Vincent up front to good value.

Vincent, one of the substitutes on Carmel’s bench stepped comfortably in the striker’s role. Adding speed and depth were the two wingers of Jansen (left) and Kern (right). They tore up the opposition’s defence with finesse and with ease. The havoc they wrecked caused so much damaged that an additional 3 goals were pummeled past their helpless keeper.

Back down the field, Carmel’s central pairing of Tim Tay and Keith were rock solid. Magnificently covering for each other and closing down attack after attack. Marauding full-backs Mark and Mattheus showed that they had more reason to attack than defend as they poured forward to assist the midfielders.

Uncle Sam, Marcus, and Poh Heng were also having a good day in the office when they dominated possession. They also harassed the resisting team.

Late into the match, Mark had to be replaced by Poh Heng at right-back position due to a muscle cramp. Aaron Chong replaced Kern only for Vincent to drop into midfield.

A wonderfully through-ball from Shawn Poon split the opposing defence up. Aaron Chong latched onto Poon’s vision and added the icing on the cake for MCFC with a toe-poke placed finished past the demoralised rival keeper.

Soon a bust-up occurred between the frustrated rival strikers and Joel. The referee gave the instigating striker his marching orders for violent conduct and the game was abandoned for the safety of Carmel’s players. Nevertheless, this match would still go on record as a resounding victory for MCFC to end of a year of brilliant football.




Aaron looking forward to a brand new season of exciting football for MCFC in 2009 and reporting inthetopcorner!