Jan 9, 2012 ... The reds now feeling very confident started playing the game in their own half.
Celil rolls the ball out which was intercepted by Has then gets a ...
ISSUE 331
2012 SEASON: WEEK 1
CELIL GEE THEMSTA ANDY RAMBO SERKSTA MATT E COS SENIOR
9 JANUARY 2012
6
5
GK
GK
1 1 1 3
3 2
ROBOCOZ PRASH LUM PAN HAS ALPAY PETE
Goodbye 2011 Hello 2012
As the new season prepares to kick off both the yellow team and the red team were wondering how their fitness will stand up n ext to the other team, with some players having a longer absence due to injuries or personal issue. This could have been just another one of those games. Which way would the wind blow? The MNLF does not disappoint! 8:05pm both static keepers were ready hopping on their lines to keep warm. Our winter resident referee Onur blows the whistle to start the new MNLF year. Wrapped in extra layers the ref general made it clear no sh1t will be taken. The slippery surface and ball was a challenge al ong with the extra layers all the players accumulated over the long festive period. The game started with a surprisingly fast pace with neat passes here and there. It was not long before the goals arrived with players like Cos Snr running around like Usain Bolt receiving pin point long passes from Matt E whom was holding up the centre and the back fearing yellow counter attacks. Cos Snr makes a run from the middle to the left, Matt gets the ball to his feet Cos Snr takes on a couple of players and slots the ball in passed Robocoz’s inside post. 1-0 Reds. A minute went by and there seemed to be opportunities to be taken on the left wing which Cos Snr was now gladly exploiting. Cos Snr loses his marker darts to the left nut megs Alpay and now runs free to the goal but choosing the tightest of angles shoots and scores. Robocoz unable to compute why the left wing was so exposed demanded his defenders to sharpen up on that side 2-0. The reds now feeling very confident started playing the game in their own half. Celil rolls the ball out which was intercepted by Has then gets a wakeup call with a scud missile in the back of the net 2-1. Has now feeling good starts to cause havoc in midfield finding Alpay in acres of space in the middle. Alpay smacks a cracker in the top left corner just before half time 2-2 Game on! Half time talks over team formations stayed the same with neither team daring to change anything after a great first half display. Has opens up the second half scores with some nifty footwork against the right wall twisting around Themis and running in at a sharp fast pace blasts the ball nearly taking the keepers head off to make it 2-3. Moments later Has finds himself one on one with the yellow keeper after a perfectly placed pass by Pete whom was struggling t o get on the score board mainly due to tight marking on the fella. Has picks his spot and scores to complete his hat-trick. 2-4 Reds are now feeling devastated but that did not stop them regaining control by playing as a great team. Matt E now wanting to get more involved upfront links up well with Lil Serk and Cos Snr running rings around Prash with some clever one twos and a cross into lil Serk who blasts in a left footer to make it 3-4. The reds now committing themselves forward to get back in the game left themselves exposed in the middle with the ball finding Alpay who finds a clear path through blasting the ball past Celil. The villain does not stop there, with the Turkish roots kicking in it was a scene out of some ugly Galatasary fan like intimidation. Thumb between the knuckles Alpay signals to Celil how he would like to continue fisting the Red keeper who was now feeling down and let down by his team mates lack of closing down. 3-5. The reds were now ready for war thanks to the villains antics. With some amazing passing and movement by the reds found Cos Snr upfront and with some nifty footwork managed to floor the keeper then cheekily chipped the ball over the static Robocoz to get his hat-trick. Excellent play F’ing av it yellows 4-5. With 10 minutes of the second half now played it was all to play for, shots were coming from all angles and both keepers making some majestic saves especially Robocoz who stepped up a few gears now stopping the unstoppable. Cos Snr now frothing in the mouth for more goals found a tidy pass through to Lil Andy whom ironically was screaming at Cos throughout the game for a pass found the ball at his feet and with another first time left footed shot scores past Robocoz who was now well worn down with Red thunderbolt shots. 5-5 Still 10 minutes to go the game was now tighter than ever with both teams now in top gears the keepers were unbelievable stopping shot after shot Ro bocoz now using his little finger to stop everything. Time is now up but extra time is given. Both teams pouring sweat and their heart to get the winner Cos Snr gets the ball holds it up finds Matt in a neat place and Matt E shoots low and hard to clinch a winner with the last kick of the game! 6-5. Reds celebrate. What a great first game of the season
CELIL
9.0 8
64.5/70
GEE
This man quite simply needs a new manager. Celil was vocal and played excellent. He does not like to pay but his passion for the game is unquestionable. THEMSTA
9.0
Solid defending by Gee. With such a long spell out of the game Gee came back chopping away. Stuck to the plan and got the result he wanted. SERKSTA
9.5
7 report was not big Well stuck in there Them. The enough to mention Thems courageous battles which in the reporter’s opinion made all the difference to earn the reds their victory. Was unlucky not to score due to Robocoz heroics.
9.0
ANDY RAMBO
8 the whole Serk was the menacing rat throughout
9.0 7 A Purple Heart display from Lil bamboo. Andy did
game. Run his lil socks off defending and holding up the midfield with good results. Had many shots saved but scores with the one left footed volley at a crucial point of the game to boost team moral.
not stop working hard on the wings despite his self questionable fitness. Did justice for the red team and again like Lil Serk had a bundle of shots saved only to score a cracker with his left foot.
MATT E
9.5
Matt played awesome bringing much needed energy for the reds. Matt was everywhere and can always be counted on. Matt created many assists helping reds get back in the game. Winning the game with the last kick of the game has earned this man his stripes. Great team player!
PETE
8
Pete was a real threat to the reds however did not manage to get on the score board mainly due to some good goal keeping and great defending. Pete has been out of action for a long period and knowing Pete he will only get stronger. Good game.
LUM 8 8 Lum played a quiet game compared to his usual out bursting game. Got tangled a little in his own defence not being clear what his position should be with his team mates. PRASH 8 7 Prash was unsure how his hamstring would hold up leaving his team a little nervous. Prash still held up the ball well but was unable to close down the energy bunnies on the red team. ROBOCOZ
COS SENIOR
9.5
Cos Snr has found his football mojo early in this game giving the underdogs a great start. Cos is a shrewd player looking to exploit any weakness which he did very well. Cos’s great play was a result of great team work! Cos jelled very well to create some “fantastic football”. Earning himself a hat-trick well done
ALPAY
8
This ultraslan should have the bafta award for the way he falls it is amazing. Alpay scored a couple of good goals but his sportsmanship is sometime questionable. Nevertheless Alpay played with good skill and great passion. A little too much passion at times! (34secs)
HAS 8.5 Hassan had a great game especially being out so many weeks. Has also got a hat-trick on the night. It was great to see the scud firing on all cylinders. PAN 8 6 Played well in his usual defensive role was commended for his blocking prowess. Pan like most of the yellows was unfortunate to be on the losing team. Well played. 8.5
6 in goal. Robocoz played an all mighty game Saved goals like his life depended on it. Pulled out some amazing shots which defied the laws of physics. Robocoz was the main reason the excitement of the game was through the roof.
57/70
ONUR
9 ?
?
Writer’s View: The ref was simply great respect to any many that gives up his time for the MNLF. Allowed the game to flow very well. Some comments on Onurs reffing sums him up nicely.
Ref - outstanding, kept the game flowing and stood strong. I think Onur did a commendable job. Was vocal with his explanations and above all authoritive. A job well done
Special mention to Ref Onur!!! Handled the game well Ref’s View: Onur busy schedule did not allow him to post a comment which would have been an interesting point of view for sure.
Serkan
5
For rolling out the report far later than necessary! A warning to future report writers....do not delay writing the report as it will cause an unnecessary burden. It is far more enjoyable to write it straight away!
N/A N/A
Celil & Robocoz
7
These two stars between the sticks could not be separated. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed their courageous and fearless goal keeping have earned them both a golden glove each. Well done lads very well played.
Matt E
5
Well done to this youngster Matt E a well deserved award to start the 2012 campaign. Matt was the key player in setting up most of the red goals and winning the game with the last kick has earned himself another place in MNLF history.
Them (4) Cos Snr (3) Serk (2)
The game was played in very good spirit despite the freezing cold conditions. The best team won in the end but that does not mean they were the best team on paper. With very close voting and with all the red players receiving all the votes for the highly acclaimed golden boot award this shows the reds hunger for the win was greater than the yellows.
