Match Review: Singapore Vikings FC vs Hotspurs FC

• GK David Lee
• DF Matthias Berthelsen
• DF Jan van der Steins
• DF Scott Rankin
• MD Tomas Dubsky
• MD Ethan Lim Jun Wen
• MD Mike Hoej Soendergaard
• MD Hugh Lobsey
• MD Peter van Groenestijn
• MD Alexander Godfrey
• ST Joe Wright

• MD Aidan Potschull
• MD Ethan Gan

A True Battle on the Pitch

In a thrilling encounter between Singapore Vikings FC and Hotspurs that will be remembered for its intensity and heart, our team took to the field against a Hotspurs team ready for battle, and they should probably have been up with 1 or 2 goals within the first 5-10 mins, but Vikings keeper David pulled of 2 amazing saves incl. a penalty which he had no right to reach!! Vikings managed to ride out the storm and slowly got back into the game. About 10 mins in we got a lucky break with a in-direct freekick in the Hotspurs penalty box which we manage to convert... Joe pass back to Ethan and Peter located in front of the keeper managed to get the last touch... 1-0 up and game on... At the water break the school decided to turn off the lights in one end of the pitch so we ended up waiting 15 minutes for them to put them back on... This break favoured Hotspurs who regained some of their momentum but overall a very even 1st half with no major chances both ends... 2nd half first 25 mins was a battle for possession without anyone really getting the upperhand and while the feeling on the pitch and on the sideline was that of a friendly game, the referee did see a number of cards that we at the moment and in hindsight don’t quite agree with, this resulted in 2 x yellow to both Aiden and Mathias... 18 mins to go (25 mins with added time) and down to 9 men looked like mission impossible BUT the Vikings showcased extraordinary resilience and teamwork, fighting for every ball and supporting each other throughout the match. The determination displayed was nothing short of inspiring, as even with 9 men we pressed forward relentlessly, and kept on creating chances as well as defending resolutely against a talented Hotspurs side. Each player left everything on the pitch, embodying the very essence of team spirit. We must also extend our respect to the Hotspurs. what a thriller of a season opener with blood, red cards and missed penalties but especially for good sportsmanship. A draw would probably have been a fair result over 90 minutes. We wish the Hotspurs a successful season ahead.

• Michael Rhodes GK
• Tom Ruffles MD
• Ali Roseburgh MD
• Marco Oeggerli MD
• William Betts MD
• Jacob Hiscock MD
• Ross Cumming MD
• Addy Cutts ST
• Joseph Hughes ST
• Jack Skinner ST
• Nick Kouvaritakis ST

• Joshua Donavan MD
• Thomas Greene ST
• George Evans ST
• Sam Russell-Vick ST

It had been raining all day, but the torrential downpour couldn’t dampen enthusiasm as Hotspurs and Vikings were given the honour of hosting the annual curtain-raiser for the new season of the Singapore Cosmo League. A number of new signings had impressed enough during training to be awarded starts and settled quickly into the rhythm of the match with Bill composed at right back and Joe looking a real threat on the left wing. The game was only 5-mins old when a robust aerial duel resulted in a clash of heads with one of the Vikings receiving a nasty facial injury and having to head straight to hospital. A really tough way for someone to start the season and the whole squad wish him well for a speedy recovery - pleased to hear he's already had stitches and apparently it should heal up nicely. A few mins later our striker was chasing down a long pass the defender was trying to shepherd out for a goal kick and managed to flick the ball past the Viking who couldn’t move his hand out of the way leaving the ref no option than to point to the spot. Penalty to Hotspurs! Unfortunately, the resulting spot-kick, well placed low into the corner, lacked the power to deny the ‘keeper an excellent save – tipping the ball round the post at full-stretch. It would prove a pivotal moment both in the game and in the Hotspurs' post-match nominations for DoD. Hotspurs reacted well to this set-back creating a number of decent chances first with Ruffles striking a powerful shot just over the bar from the edge of the box and then with the dangerous Joe twice going close with good efforts well saved by the, now getting slightly annoying, goalkeeper. It wasn’t long until momentum shifted and the Vikings started a number of trademark raids down our left flank with their marauding striker pillaging the ball and flashing a few warning shots across goal. We were close to an unnecessary water-break when disaster struck and an innocuous back pass was inexplicably picked up by Hotspurs’ goalkeeper who was presumably blinded by the glaring floodlights. A short free-kick and wayward shot was asked to be retaken, and a yellow card brandished, for an early encroachment from the eager defence. The retake was not as kind with a slight variation on the first attempt taking a wicked deflection and the ball bobbled into the only empty corner of the goalmouth. Vikings 1-0. Vikings went into the water-break with the wind firmly behind their longboat sails, but this breeze wouldn’t last long enough given the school janitor took the opportunity to turn the floodlights off - clearly concerned they had done enough damage dazzling our GK. The match was finally able to resume after a lengthy break and the second period actually started much like the first with Hotspurs largely on top having regained control of the midfield battle and the impressive pairing of Marco and Jake looking assured in the centre of defence. Nick K was seeing a lot more of the ball in this period, rampaging down the right wing and winning a lot of free-kicks, but our final ball was lacking a touch of quality and we never really capitalised on possession with half-chances few and far between before the half-time whistle. Hotspurs used the break to make a number of changes handing a welcome debut to young George and blended his youth with some experience in the shape of Tiny, JD and Sam RV. In fairness, the second-half was initially fairly contested with very little to separate both teams who traded blows in the centre of the pitch without really threatening to break the deadlock again. However, this all changed with 20-mins remaining when the referee brandished a Vikings defender 2 x yellow cards in quick succession for dissent and, only a few mins later, issued a second yellow card to another young Norseman leaving us with a 2-man advantage for the last quarter of an hour. Hotspurs understandably dominated possession during this period and bombarded their box with crosses to create a few chances including a header from JD, who found some rare space in the penalty area, and Joe forced another top-notch save from their, now really annoying, ‘keeper right at the death. In summary, a disappointing start to the season in terms of the result, but plenty of reasons for optimism based on our overall performance and much credit has to go to the Vikings who played an excellent match in a fair and competitive spirit - good luck for the rest of the season and thanks as always to the team of referees!