Match Review: Singapore Vikings FC vs Olympique Gaulois Singapore

• DF Peter Boe
• DF Lasse Lund
• MD Thomas Domino Andersen
• MD Casper Toennesen
• MD Tjalfe Paulsen
• ST Ales Melechovsky
• -- Thomas Elbo Andersen
• -- Gustav Jorck
• -- Michael Dragsbaek
• -- Jules Busser
• -- Magnus Mernild

• -- Maahin Bose
• -- Jacob Stabel
• -- Mark Crouch
• -- Mark James Raven
• -- Michael Jorgensen
• -- Marck Madsen

A Bitter Pill To Swallow

A 5pm kick off at Turf City offered both teams respite from the recent blisteringly hot 3pm alternative; it did not however bring the 3 points that we tried desperately hard to secure. The scoreline looks a bad one but in all honesty this was an extremely close game where Vikings should have been out of sight in the first half. For the second time this season OG were extremely lucky to not have their goalkeeper sent off. The decision to just award a free-kick when the OG keeper hand-balled outside the box, denying a certain goal, was a poor one and one which had it gone our way would surely have changed the outcome of the match. That said, we had numerous chances in the first period but none of our five one-on-ones proved fruitful. We played some of our season's best football in the first half and the 4-5-1 set up looked competitive and composed, the on-pitch rotation of Domino, Tjalfe & Casper worked a treat and the effort and purpose of the team was clear for all to see. OG are a lovely side to watch and their team is filled with inventiveness and endeavour and one which has good strength and resilience in abundance. The first half closed with the scores level at 0-0 and with Vikings seething at the crucial event of the opening period. The script that was to unfold during the second was both unjust and painful to watch for all Vikings present. Three wonder strikes from distance all rippled our net and a couple of poor clearances leading to further dents on our goals against column secured our fate. Only a directly converted free-kick from our departing veteran Stabell offered any consolation. As the players all departed the pitch after our 5-1 loss I tried to think of a game where such a result had occurred after such a competent performance - still none spring to mind. Congratulations to OG on securing the three points and for playing the game in such good spirit and thanks to all of the guys who turned out to watch this entertaining match. To the Viking team I applaud the performance and only hope that our rewards will come if we continue to play at this level. Next week sees us take a break from Cosmo League and instead participate in the SCC 7, let's hope that we put on a good show down at the Padang!

• Nordine Talhi DF
• Enrique Sanchez MD
• Francois Bazin MD
• Remi Tache --
• Hugo Tauler --
• Adrien Dambre --
• Anthony Hernandez --
• Guillaume Jeannerot --
• Bertrand Mametz --
• Yohann Guilloux --
• Mathieu Debrand --

• Joaquim Bellmunt --
• Marc Sans --

A great result for OG against a solid Vikings side. Results is flattering and does not entirely reflect on the game as both team battle hard for 80min before OG manage to wrap up the win with 10min where every single shot turned into gold. I believe it was a good game to watch for the few spectator as game was engaged and quite open for the first 45min. Vikings were the first one to hit as we have a sloppy starter reputation to keep, and we were lucky that our Keeper did not see red on a handball just outside the box. Slowly OG started to create some chances on their own with their front 4 Kike, Remi, Hugo and Anthony, each of them testing the keeper who did really well to keep a clean sheet in 1st half. 0-0 HT. The second part saw the same game play, OG mostly dominated for a good part of it, but Vikings always being a threat to our defense with Mili up front and Domino dispatching the balls. However we were the first to convert a chance and score the crucial opener. Kike was released by Matt and manage to dribble the keeper before finishing in the small angle. He ultimately double our lead 10min later after a bad clearance for Vikings keeper that gave the ball straight to Kike. The latest did not need more to score a brace of goal. Viking then pressured for a good 15min playing a bit higher and enjoy most of the possession. OG seat at the back and taking their chances in the counter. Vikings got 1 back on the 75th min from a 30m free kick that ultimately ended up in the opposite lower corner after everyone missed to give it a touch. OG reacted really well straight from the kick off to hinibit any Vikings hope for a come back. Kike kick off went to Remi on the left who cut back inside to pass the ball to Hugo who lifted the ball and "just" superbly volleyed the ball into the opposite top corner from the outside of the boot. 3-1. Minutes later it was Anthony s turn to shine with a massive shoot from just outside the box that went straight into the top corner leave no reaction to the keeper. And finally Joachim for his debut with OG cosmo, chested a clearance from the keeper on the 30m mark, and volley the ball again that lobbed the keeper. A very good game of football played in a good spirit, competitive but fair.