Match Review: Singapore Vikings FC vs Hotspurs FC

• GK David Lee
• DF Scott Rankin
• DF Magnus Walling Hansen
• MD Thomas Domino Andersen
• ST Ales Melechovsky
• -- Joe Wright
• -- Therkel Iversen
• -- Martijn Van den Berg
• -- Fred Devantier
• -- Michael Dragsbaek
• -- Tjalfe Paulsen

• -- Erik Jensen
• -- Younes Benjnouh
• -- Lasse Koch Jensen
• -- Mathias Groenbech
• -- Philip Ryfos

• Simon Hearn DF
• James Keane DF
• Oliver Roberts DF
• Zach Godfrey-Plews DF
• Kieran McLaughlin MD
• Ross Lando MD
• Ali Roseburgh MD
• Lionel Kong MD
• Tom Ruffles MD
• Jack Skinner ST
• Nick Kouvaritakis ST

• Philip Waters DF
• Sam Russell-Vick ST
• Gael Guedia --

A strong performance across the park

A strong performance across the park It felt like a spring day in the UK - wet, windy and mild - but great conditions for a tough battle at Turf City as Hotspurs took the points against a strong Vikings team. Despite several late drop outs due to illness, Hotspurs fielded a decent starting 11, as well as reverted back to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Club legend Ali Roseburgh donned the gloves, in the absence of Martyn and Mike. And it wasn’t long before he was called into action, making a finger tip save from a header in the opening 5 minutes. But beyond this, he wasn’t really tested for the rest of the game. Vikings dominated possession in the first half, but they failed to really break down the Hotspurs defence, which showed superb shape throughout the game. A welcomed return at half time for Sam RV, who suffered an ACL in pre-season. He was menacing up top, but had to come off in the latter stages of the game. Hotspurs looked most dangerous on the counter, creating a few chances in well worked moves. Their persistence was eventually rewarded with a goal around the 60th minute. Skinner whipped in a corner from the right hand side, which the Vikings defender swiped at, clipping it into his own net. 1-0. The intensity of the game picked up - solid tackles, fiery 50/50’s and a lot of emotion coming from both sides. Hotspurs continued to press which resulted in a second goal. A well worked team move saw Nick K, who came back on as sub, slip Skinner into the box. A composed dummy sent the defender the wrong way, and Skinner cooly slotted the ball into the bottom corner from 12 yards. The opposition rallied, and their pressure eventually took its toll, as Vikings striker and Cosmo top goalscorer, Ales, headed home after Hotspurs failed to clear the ball from a free kick delivery. A nervy last 10 minutes as Vikings pressed for the equaliser. In the 90th minute, Mele skipped past 2 Hotspurs midfielders, and with the ball there to be won, centre back Hearn launched into the tackle. Despite cleanly taking the ball, the referee considered the studs up dangerous, and showed Hearn a straight red - a decision he later admitted was maximum an orange card, but he was worried for the Vikings “Riot” if he didn’t hand out a punishment. The resulting free kick was blasted over the bar, and the final whistle went. Cue the celebrations as the boys relished in a rare victory against a good side. Hotspurs were solid across the park, and it was a real team effort to get the 3 points. The back 4 of Keane, Roberts, Hearn and Zach held the line and defended well. McLaughlin and Kong were assured and fierce in holding mid, sweeping up everything that came their way. Lando, Ruffles, Kouvartitkis and Skinner put in a fantastic shift and looked threatening going forward. Substitutes Waters, Guedia and Russell-Vick were also great legs off the bench when needed. Another break next weekend, but the boys will be back on 11th Feb looking to get something against top of the table Latini - a team they have have certainly deserved something from in both meets earlier in the season. Let the 2023 winning streak continue!