MMU Inquisition: Can Magnificent F&F Go All The Way?

Faizal So'od asks the question on every MMU fan's lips: can F&F win the Champions League?

It's been only two short years since F&F was established and lifted the MMU League trophy, but the pressure to win silverware is highly anticipated by our captain Samir Aie and most of our fans due to the experience and the capability we possessed to win championship.

Following our last match against Dettol FC, a dull 1-1 draw, proved that teams are not afraid to go out and attack us anymore. We need to step up our next game if we are to win Champions League. Our next match against Cyberheat will be a big test for us against a physical opponent as we are also are tough in physical as they are. It will be an interesting match up to look forward to.


The Case For

First of all, F&F's midfield and defending play was for the most part a joy to watch.Wan, missing from the first game, came back into the side for Hamka, and immediately set about showing the world exactly why the F&F are so keen to tie him down for the rest of his career. Aie, too, was integral; and even Zul K, the 'straight man' of the midfield trio, was afforded the time and space to drive forward, something he did with aplomb.

Then there are the defence. Bad news first: despite Nabeel's brilliantly defending, it was not a convincing performance, and there remain question marks over his form. As far as we know, he is better than that. Still, he's too valuable to the them and add depth to the current squad.

Samir Aie's men, then, were absolutely rampant in the first half, displaying no end of confidence - at a time when they were accused of having lost their nerve, no less. In previous seasons such a fight-back after weeks of poor form would have been unlikely; this time it was expected.

The Case Against

Yet there remain problems. The big, fat, "1" on the scoreboard indicates that all is not well defensively. The injury situation is considerable: Boynaldo, having a renaissance season, is sorely missed, with Riza's positioning looking increasingly erratic, and Nabeel's style, while earnest and energetic, lacking any level of finesse. Out on the left, Nadum, of whom I have been a staunch defender over the last two years, is reaching the end of the line. As for Azim, well, that's been done to death; suffice to say he remains less than world-class, which is what F&F need.

Then there is the concern of squad depth. We know how the defence will be toiled without Nadeem; and one need only look back to the first game to see how the midfield fared without Wan. Hamka, to be fair to him, is exceedingly old, and very talented, but one cannot expect a player of his relative experience to drive a three-man midfield towards a MMU glory. Similarly, it doesn't take a world-class pundit to see what becomes of the forward line when they lacking striking force.

With the gap in the group not what it once was, and ill-fated attempts at rotation (such as in the draw with Dettol FC) ending in more dropped points, Aie hasn't the luxury of being able to rest players for continental competition. Instead, 'ironman' play from the key players is exactly what is required if this F&F side are to fulfil their potential - and they do have the potential to go all the way.