Match Review: Aioli Monkeys FC vs Singapore Vikings FC

• GK Daniele Pacella
• DF Anthony Tongson
• DF Philip Scharff
• MD Attilio Ferrari
• MD Juan Jose Velaz Sanchez
• MD Eneko Goya Lujambio
• MD Harry Shaw
• ST Joe Wright
• ST Javier Torrano
• ST Mark Addy
• -- Matthieu Ginestet

• DF Jeremy Langsvatah
• DF Sebastien Grand
• MD Rafael Pavan
• ST Peter Besselink

That’s more like it

After a feisty encounter with the Vikings towards the end of last season, the Monkeys prepared themselves for a battle on Saturday afternoon against the in-form Scandies and that’s exactly what we got. Proudly boasting no less than 8 nationalities in our matchday squad (9 including the coach), our game plan was to keep the game tight at our end and wait for the gaps to open up at the other. The oppo’s main threat was evidently coming from the league’s top scorer but the back four did an excellent job of restricting him to only a couple of half chances in the first half. As the half wore on our attackers became more involved in the game and we were unlucky not to go in at HT ahead after both Matty and JJ came close. We started the second half well but it took a goalkeeping error to get ourselves in front when the otherwise excellent Vikings keeper fumbled a JJ shot that looked like it would be a routine gather. An unexpected bonus that we were more than happy to take. The second came shortly after from a wonder goal, and it was that man JJ again. Picking up the ball a good 35 yards out, he saw the keeper slightly off his line and unleashed an absolute beauty to make it 2-0. Pick that one out! With the Vikings looking a bit shell-shocked at being 2-0 down they set about finding a way back, relying on long searching balls from the back for their attackers, who were gradually increasing in number as the clock ran down. After last week’s collapse against the French we were determined not to let this one slip and were holding firm against the aerial bombardment until a soft penalty gave the Vikings a lifeline and set us up for a nervy last 10 mins. We had chances to kill it off but wayward shooting or poor decision making let us down. A couple of free-kicks in precarious positions kept us on our toes but they came to nothing and the whistle blew for a well earned victory and a reward for the hard work that the boys have put in in recent weeks. A number of good performances across the team from us but MOM goes to Phil Scharff, returning to top form with a commanding performance at CB. Special mention to Eneko for putting his head where others wouldn’t (I have a strong suspicion this applies off the pitch as well). Fortunately his good looks are still intact after getting a boot to the face and receiving several stitches. Cheers to the Vikings for a good, fair fight and to Rob for controlling the game well in the middle.

• Matthias Berthelsen DF
• Henrik Synnes DF
• Casper Toennesen MD
• Thomas Domino Andersen MD
• Tomas Dubsky MD
• Ales Melechovsky ST
• Michael Dragsbaek --
• Maahin Bose --
• Tjalfe Paulsen --
• Magnus Mernild --
• Mark Van Dalen --

• Magnus Walling Hansen DF
• Mark Crouch --
• Andreas Hoffmann --
• Marko Samora --
• Leslie Andersen --

Not To Be!

An extremely spirited effort from Aioli put pay to any hopes that we had of extending our winning run at Turf City in the 5pm encounter. Both teams were fully committed in the first half an hour with some tough tackling all over the pitch. Aioli looked bright from the start and they looked to get the ball wide and forward at every attempt, Joe Wright who was superb all afternoon led the line well and was at the crux of all things good for our opponents. For us, we didn’t seem to get started and found it difficult to get the ball down and play – something we have been much better at this year. Mele managed to work a few chances with Domino but unfortunately his finishing was not of his usual quality and Aioli had a few chances that were excellently saved by our star performer Dragsbaek. Level at the water break and still goalless at half time it was going to take something special or a howler to separate the two teams in the second period and that’s exactly what we got! The game remained relatively tight for the most part of the first 20 min until a speculative shot from the little fella JJ found its way through the legs of our keeper and into the back of the net – harsh on Drags as he really was very good all afternoon. We tried hard to get ourselves up and at it again but we were further deflated when JJ hit a wonder strike from 35 yards out to double Aioli’s lead. Only at this point did we really start to show the strength and desire that has served us so well this season, sure we put numbers forward and occasionally got caught lacking numbers at the back but we really did give it a go. We could see that Aioli were tiring and the heat had started to take its toll on a few; Mele was adjudged to have been pushed in the box and the ref pointed to the spot. The striker made no mistake in tucking the penalty away and giving Vikings a vital lifeline. We huffed and we puffed but we couldn’t blow the Aioli house in, they remained strong and determined and held out for the final few minutes to take the points. Congratulations to Aioli for a very strong performance and to the referee who managed the feisty contest very well. For our boys, we need to make sure that we start every game the way we finished Saturdays – in Viking fashion we will learn from this and come back stronger. Special mention to Lightning Leslie who played his final Cosmo game – he has been a true Viking & gentleman over the past 6 years, he will be missed but not forgotten!