Match Review: Singapore Vikings FC vs 1TM Latini FC

• DF Scott Rankin
• DF Henrik Synnes
• DF Matthias Berthelsen
• MD Casper Toennesen
• MD Thomas Domino Andersen
• ST Ales Melechovsky
• -- Michael Dragsbaek
• -- Tjalfe Paulsen
• -- Mark Van Dalen
• -- Jules Busser
• -- Magnus Mernild

• DF Magnus Walling Hansen
• MD Jan Mariboe Nielsen
• -- Mark James Raven
• -- Maahin Bose
• -- Mikkel Madsen

Not the start back after the Christmas break that we were looking for. Both teams appeared to be carrying a number of minor injuries or the the excesses of the festive season but it was 1TM who came out on top in this 2020 opener. As I'm rushed for time this morn, I'll make this quick! 1TM started the brighter of the two teams and a number of their older/experienced heads began to pull the strings and looked for opportunities to get the returning youngster Pizzano, he really is a very good player, doing his stuff high up the field. The first 10/15 min were bossed by the red and white stripes and only in the 5 min before the water break did Vikings string anything together. 1TM took the lead on the half hour mark when the galloping right back was allowed to run from his own half into the heart of the Viking defence, the ball landed at the feet of JS (I believe) and he was allowed an age to poke the ball into the net. Vikings drew level on the stroke of half time when a neat pass from Mathias was gratefully received by Meli who skipped away from his marker and squared the ball to an unmarked Busser who duly dispatched with ease. The second half started well for Vikings and it looked as though fitness would favour the men in the away blue strip but this was not to be. The major turning point in the game arrived around the 60 min mark when Henrock saw red, while there is no doubt the pull back merited the card but the foul on Casper that led to the situation, and saw him have to come off injured, was completely missed by the referee. Sometimes they go your way and sometimes they don't - today it was the latter. 1TM handled the situation really well and started to use their extra man, it was only a matter of time before they opened us up and took the lead. As Vikings started to chase the game huge gaps became apparent and 1TM punished us a further two times, making the score line an unwelcome 4-1. Congratulations to 1TM who deserved the victory and thanks to the officials too! We will regroup and come back ready for our next outing against GSAS next time!

• Pete O'Brien GK
• Charlie Stark DF
• Jonathan Baker DF
• Tim Mellet DF
• Ben Tomlinson DF
• Jamie Roberts MD
• Ethan Pizano MD
• George Parrott MD
• Luke Townsend ST
• Jacob Saurin ST
• Mark Raven --

• Harry Falconer --
• Aansh Raiyani --
• Charlie Furlong --

You Don’t Win Games with Salmon

Latini returned to Cosmo action with a strong squad, and very happy to welcome Ethan Pizano back to the group. Missing gaffer Tally meant that Pet Shop took the reins for the afternoon. A few moans and concerned voices in the warm-up as the Christmas break effects began to bite into some of the players the lungs and legs. Fear that our Scandinavian opponents had been out mountain running every day and enjoyed nothing more than a bit of lean baked salmon for their Christmas dinner was discussed as kick off approached. Latini started brightly, keeping possession well and defending smartly. 15 minutes in our first real chance is created and finished. A marauding run from right back, Ned, to the Vikings penalty area, the ball was cut back accurately to a goal hungry JR who picked out the right corner with a decent strike. 1-0. The first half continued at a similar tempo with both sides doing their best to create the next real chance. This was eventually realised by the Vikings just before half time. A clearance from their right back managed to pick out the Vikings attackers who combined well to slip the ball through the Latini defenders and past goalkeeper POB. 1-1. Fairly content with the first half performance, the Latini message was to “keep doing what you’re doing” going into the second half. More good defending from the Latini back four and some good possession play from the midfielders meant that the dangerous front three of Ethan, Duplo and Flat White got more time on the ball than in the first half. Just before the second water break Ethan was picked out with a counter attacking ball on the right and turned on the gas to get by his marker. He was duly taken down with a clumsy challenge from behind, and as the last man the referee had no choice but to produce a red card for the Vikings defender. After a good breather at the water break the Latini boys then really made the extra man count keeping possession well and started creating more chances. It did not take long for the next goal to arrive. Ethan started and finished the move for the goal to put us ahead by brilliantly switching the play to Flat White from right to left and was there to collect the returned pass at the back post and finish well. 2-1. Substitute Aansh then got in on the action with a great run down the left flank picked out by JR, cut in and with fantastic composure dinked the ball over the on-rushing goalkeeper to put us 3-1 up. To wrap things up, JR added to his first goal with a tidy back post finish after some more stellar work from Ethan down the right. 4-1. Delighted to start the year with a win, salmon will remain off the Christmas menu for the Latini squad. Thank you to the Vikings for a good game. MoM Latini - JR MoM Vikings - Domino DoD - Didge