Seoul Fever were set to play MSFC (Malaysian Students Football Club) after finally stopping the rot and securing a draw against newly-promoted Ehwa United. The boys in black were looking to build on the previous week’s performance and use their morale to get back to winning ways. Fever welcomed back Carl Garthwaite back into the lineup where he was deployed in a more forward role in the absence of Peter Sheerin. Andy Ritchie also returned to the lineup and James Guinnevan came in at left back – the rest of the team was largely unchanged.
Although the Malaysians had yet to claim a single point this season, the game was set to be anything but a formality due to the adverse weather conditions. The surface was wet and unpredictable, and players certainly became aware of this after play got underway. Seoul Fever started the game at a frantic pace closing their opponents down all over the pitch and fashioning half chances at every given opportunity. Rowe and Garthwaite game close a few times but were denied each time.
Although the Malaysians had yet to claim a single point this season, the game was set to be anything but a formality due to the adverse weather conditions. The surface was wet and unpredictable, and players certainly became aware of this after play got underway. Seoul Fever started the game at a frantic pace closing their opponents down all over the pitch and fashioning half chances at every given opportunity. Rowe and Garthwaite game close a few times but were denied each time.
Midway through the first period, Pušnik, having already gone close with a thunderous half volley came close to scoring the second with an audacious scissor kick attempt from inside the area missing the target by about a yard, an attempt good enough to teach Zlatan himself a thing or 2 about scissor kicks. Although Fever were quickest out of the traps, the Malaysians showed up at the races despite the weather showing no signs of improving. Where they lacked in strength, they made up by using their significant pace to their advantage. MSFC favoured the lofted through ball for the remainder of the middle period with varying success. Williamson cleared up the majority but a handful found their way between cracks in the Fever back line and a number of last-ditch challenges were needed to avert the looming danger. Tempers were flaring high for the boys in black and manager Byrne was forced to replace Guinnevan after a rather suspect challenge. Guinnevan had played a superb opening 30 minutes, but was substituted to cool off on the bench.
Fever went in at the break confused as to how the scoreline still remained at 0-0 having completely dominated and outplayed their opposition. As soon as the second period commenced, the boys in black went all out and it wasn't long before the Malaysians couldn't keep them at bay any longer.
The Malaysians physical disadvantage was apparent from the start and the deadlock was soon broken. An optimistic cross was floated into the box and winger Pušnik managed to stop the attacking move from breaking down. He headed the ball back across the box into the path of Simon Williamson. Williamson, a Goliath amongst Davids found himself in enough space to fire home the ball to open the scoring. Seoul Fever 1-0 MSFC.
Fever went in at the break confused as to how the scoreline still remained at 0-0 having completely dominated and outplayed their opposition. As soon as the second period commenced, the boys in black went all out and it wasn't long before the Malaysians couldn't keep them at bay any longer.
The Malaysians physical disadvantage was apparent from the start and the deadlock was soon broken. An optimistic cross was floated into the box and winger Pušnik managed to stop the attacking move from breaking down. He headed the ball back across the box into the path of Simon Williamson. Williamson, a Goliath amongst Davids found himself in enough space to fire home the ball to open the scoring. Seoul Fever 1-0 MSFC.
Fever soon scored a second as Pušnik was put through from a through ball and was able to muscle a defender off the ball to tuck away his second goal of the season. Seoul Fever 2-0 MSFC.
The Malaysian students had given up an average of 5 goals per game (20 in total) before today’s encounter and their flimsy defensive line was split wide open for, what was to be, the third and final occasion. Jaemin Kim’s sliced ball found its way into the path of striker Alex Rowe, who dribbled out wide with the ball on his left foot before crashing home his fourth goal of the season. Anyone watching from the sidelines would have been hard pressed in believing that Rowe’s strike was struck by his weaker foot. The ball met the crossbar before finding the net and is surely an early contender for Goal of the Season. Seoul Fever 3-1 MSFC.
The Malaysian students had given up an average of 5 goals per game (20 in total) before today’s encounter and their flimsy defensive line was split wide open for, what was to be, the third and final occasion. Jaemin Kim’s sliced ball found its way into the path of striker Alex Rowe, who dribbled out wide with the ball on his left foot before crashing home his fourth goal of the season. Anyone watching from the sidelines would have been hard pressed in believing that Rowe’s strike was struck by his weaker foot. The ball met the crossbar before finding the net and is surely an early contender for Goal of the Season. Seoul Fever 3-1 MSFC.
The Malaysians responded late in the game after an increasing bout of pressure. The Fever defence was noticeably tiring and MSFC seemed to sharpen as the game went on. Eventually, they were able to claim a consolation goal after coming close on numerous occasions. Seoul Fever 3-1 MSFC.
Soon after MSFC had scored their first, Gareth Fannin collected his second yellow card of the day through a cynical challenge that saw him clip the heels of an opposition midfielder. Fannin’s red card reduced the side to 10 men and a 1-game suspension loomed. MSFC responded well to having the extra man and continued to break at Fever in bursts. Tempers had been flaring all throughout the game, with the Malaysians seemingly acting upon anything that came their way. Pusnik was booked for a harsh challenge on the edge of the area, which saw the resulting free kick weakly trickle past Andy Ritchie in goal, only for the referee to disallow it due to it being an indirect free kick. Pusnik could've found himself sent off too where a rash challenge on his opponent left him laying on the floor acting as if he had just been shot. Handbags ensued with the Malaysians failing to get a reaction whatsoever out of the captain, who was later replaced by Byrne for his own good. New boy Danny Kempson who has waltzed right into the side since his summer transfer was booked for a tackle which sent the poor Malaysian 8 feet into the air, and who would've got high scores had there been any judges for his acrobatic landing. Kempson also escaped an earlier card for a kung fu-esque tackle which summed up the physicality of this game.
After a hard-fought performance, Fever were able to see the game out to collect a well-earned 3 points after two consecutive losses. Byrne’s men will be looking to build on the positive performance with another victory over freshly-relegated Seohyeon Celtic.
Man of the Match: Danny Kempson
Soon after MSFC had scored their first, Gareth Fannin collected his second yellow card of the day through a cynical challenge that saw him clip the heels of an opposition midfielder. Fannin’s red card reduced the side to 10 men and a 1-game suspension loomed. MSFC responded well to having the extra man and continued to break at Fever in bursts. Tempers had been flaring all throughout the game, with the Malaysians seemingly acting upon anything that came their way. Pusnik was booked for a harsh challenge on the edge of the area, which saw the resulting free kick weakly trickle past Andy Ritchie in goal, only for the referee to disallow it due to it being an indirect free kick. Pusnik could've found himself sent off too where a rash challenge on his opponent left him laying on the floor acting as if he had just been shot. Handbags ensued with the Malaysians failing to get a reaction whatsoever out of the captain, who was later replaced by Byrne for his own good. New boy Danny Kempson who has waltzed right into the side since his summer transfer was booked for a tackle which sent the poor Malaysian 8 feet into the air, and who would've got high scores had there been any judges for his acrobatic landing. Kempson also escaped an earlier card for a kung fu-esque tackle which summed up the physicality of this game.
After a hard-fought performance, Fever were able to see the game out to collect a well-earned 3 points after two consecutive losses. Byrne’s men will be looking to build on the positive performance with another victory over freshly-relegated Seohyeon Celtic.
Man of the Match: Danny Kempson