Match Review: Hotspurs FC vs Singapore Vikings FC

• GK Michael Rhodes
• DF Zach Godfrey-Plews
• DF Simon Hearn
• DF Tom Hine
• MD Kieran McLaughlin
• MD Ross Lando
• MD Ali Roseburgh
• ST Jack Skinner
• ST Nick Kouvaritakis
• ST Addy Cutts
• -- Ng Zhiwei

• DF Craig Hotchkiss
• MD Ross Cumming
• -- Gael Guedia

• David Lee GK
• Henrik Synnes DF
• Therkel Iversen DF
• Tomas Dubsky MD
• Ales Melechovsky ST
• Lasse Koch Jensen --
• Tjalfe Paulsen --
• Martijn Van den Berg --
• Jesus Del toro Garcia --
• Mathias Fiischer --
• Jonas Truelsen --

• Scott Rankin DF
• Morten Hansen --
• Tobias Gravesen --

Clean Sheet - Every Mothers Dream!

There are two primary choices in life: to accept the conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them. This was the crossroad that Vikings found themselves at only a few weeks ago after a run of heavy defeats - in order to right the wrongs honest reflection was needed and long stares in the mirror undoubtedly took place. Winning is a thing of beauty but it is not an entitlement, rather something that is to be earned and continually worked towards. Singapore Vikings were determined to build on the maximum points they had taken from the previous two games and a strong line-up ensured that this was to come to fruition. From the off we were on the front foot and pressed Hotspurs high up the pitch, determined to rush them into unwanted errors. Young Gun Jonas proved an early threat as his pace and wizardry down the right side posed the opposing defence significant difficulty. Our pressing game was rewarded shortly into the game when a sliced clearance fell at the feet of Joe wright who casually curled into the top right corner. Joe doubled his tally shortly after, steering home another just before the water break after a fine ball from the impressive Dubsky. Obviously delighted to be two goals to the good our brief O2 chat focused on staying resolute and to build on the bedrock we had carved out. Hotspurs had their own interpretation of what was going to happen and decided to press higher up the pitch and try to get our defenders turning, this almost gave instant reward as they went clean through against Keeper D Lee - only a last second outstretched hand denied them a foothold back in the game. In honesty, that was the closest Hotspurs came to pegging us back. The remainder of the half was played out with chances here and there but the scoreline remained the same at half-time. Raven and Captain Tjalfe both called for calm, control and a clean sheet during the mid way briefing and that’s exactly the way it played out in the second period. The first 20 min became a bit of a stalemate as Vikings were intent on playing keep ball and Hotspurs played deeper, determined to cut out the space behind. As is often the case in Cosmo games the last quarter of the game always opens up and chances present themselves to those who are patient, we managed to capitalise during this period with four more goals, Mathias and Jonas both scored good headers from well delivered set pieces, Tobias deservedly netted (his all round display was excellent when he came on - good feet for a big fella) and Meli rolled in for his 10th of the season just before the end. The scoreline was harsh on Hotspurs who didn’t let their heads drop all afternoon, we know that they will come again and will want to reverse the result in future meetings. Vikings were delighted with the 3 points but the real highlight was not conceding for the second game running - this is testament to ALL players involved and their tireless efforts to ensure this. We thank Urs and his fellow officials who did a great job - nothing contentious in this one at all, just as we like it. Until next time…….