Match Review: Singapore Vikings FC vs Gaulois Sports Club

• DF Henrik Synnes
• DF Scott Rankin
• DF Therkel Iversen
• MD Thomas Domino Andersen
• ST Ales Melechovsky
• -- Michael Dragsbaek
• -- Tjalfe Paulsen
• -- Joe Wright
• -- Tobias Gravesen
• -- Martijn Van den Berg
• -- Jonas Truelsen

• DF Matthias Berthelsen
• -- Nikolaj Horneman
• -- Henry Mosely
• -- Morten Hansen

Fight for the right, to party!

An extremely determined Vikings squad showed up for the encounter with OG and the result was testament to hard work, grit and resilience. Pre match talk focused on individual and group responsibilities and frank reminders of what was required to get results in the Cosmo league. Our painful loses in previous games were still raw but this acted as driver to get something from the game with the unbeaten French. The early exchanges were even despite a number of chances falling to our strike force and it wasn’t until around the 30 min mark before Meli unleashed a shot which was saved and then turned in by Young Gun Tobias. A second goal came our way just before half time when Meli dispatched a free kick from the left edge of the box after being wrestled to the ground by a OG defender. The whistle sounded for the recess with the raucous Viking following delighted with the teams first half spirit. Coach and Captain both reminded that calm heads and a need for equal amounts of effort in the second period were key to securing victory. Again, we started well and looked to press on but the French had their own ideas as to how the script might play out - they pushed higher and looked to get behind with a number of balls aimed down the flanks. After winning a corner on the right a beautiful delivery was met with a well timed header which came to rest in the back of our net. This buoyed the boys in blue and ion another day could have acted as a catalyst to retrieve something from the game. Fortunately for us this was not the case as 10 min later Domino scored a contender for goal of the season, he collected the ball just inside his own half and looked up to spot the keeper off his line - he nonchalantly drifted the ball high into The Cage sky and over the, back-pedaling, keepers head to secure our two goal cushion. Real confidence was now flowing within the group and for the next twenty minutes any remaining shackles were cast aside as wave after wave of Viking attacks became evident. Meli secured his second in the game when he calmly tucked away and the job was complete. Thanks to OG for a tough game, always the way and to the officials who we have the utmost respect for as they make these games possible. To my boys, thanks for a memorable match and one that cheered me up no end - remarkable what hard work, confidence and belief can achieve!

• Mohammed Keraine GK
• Nordine Talhi DF
• Francois Bazin MD
• Javier Calvo MD
• Jean-Baptiste Bois MD
• Enrique Sanchez MD
• Inaki Moreno MD
• Francois Pannetier --
• Hugo Tauler --
• Maxime D’Inca --
• Pablo Rodríguez Aracil --

• Unni Kazhakkumara MD
• Eric Clermont ST
• Inigo Bonilla --

A game to forget

After 3 consecutive wins we gathered on Saturday hoping to bag the 3 points. Few players missing but still a competitive squad to do so. First 25 minutes were for the Vikings which had a better control of the game and mainly through long balls managed to score the first goal. Despite better intentions and some Interesting situations again we got sanctioned by the lack of aggressive game. 2-0 at half time We came back with better intentions and quickly scored with a great header from Eric. Unfortunately our hopes for a come back quickly disappeared after a great lob goal. We then could not find the energy to come back in the game and suffered waves of Vikings attacks throughout the second half. 4-1 final score. Well deserved victory from Vikings and a good wake up call for us