F&F's Season Review

It was indeed an exciting season for F&F as the league was colored with fantastic game play, blunders, dramas and inconsistency in performance through out the season. F&F new signings, Mid Totti, Iskandar Macheda, Atoy "Pinky", Ibrahim "November", Farouk "AutoPilot", Syah "Boboy" and Acap Brown have live up to their billings this season.

At the start of the campaign, F&F identified CyberHeat and Phlamze as main rivals for the championship and it was indeed true. F&F started the season brightly by winning the opening match 2-1(Spirulina) and defeating arch-rivals CyberHeat(1-0). Relegation struggler, CF Mantizs halted F&F's winning streak by holding them to 1-1 draw.

F&F announced their new kit deal with an Argentine electronic giant, Megatone at mid season. Club ambassador, Fatah, lead the unveiling of F&F's new kit during the match against Salsa FC(5-1) which they won in a perfect combination of pass and run football. After four matches played, F&F was at second spot, 2 points behind leaders CyberHeat which had played all five matches. In the last match of the season against Phlamze(3-3), F&F needed 3 points to lift the trophy to but they only managed to get a point.

CyberHeat and F&F will be playing in the Super League come next year against the likes of reigning champion ,Victory and arguably some of the best teams in MMU namely Dettol FC, Black Emperor and Staff FC.

This season F&F has improved their goal tally by scoring 15 goals but defensively they have been poor by letting in 5 goals. Azim "Pelikat" had inconsistent form throughout the season especially in the matches against relegated CF Mantizs and rival, Phlamze. Farouk "AutoPilot" has improved on his balance to his running after he succeeded former F&F legend, Fauzan "Makan Tanah" nickname in the opening match. He will also need gym training for the coming season for his legs' muscles so that it can fit into his shin pad. Rookie defenders Acap "Brown" and Syah "Boboy" have impressed everyone and grown with their eye catching performance in the league with Syah "Boboy" bagging two goals against Phlamze. Veteran FerdiNadeem, badly needs to lose weight and regain match fitness for next season. Zul "Takot Lipas" and Nadom Onouha will be given anger management classes to try and curb their temperament as they are experienced and senior players. Skipper Zul Rossi will know what to improve next season as his finishing against CF Mantisz and Salsa FC was poor. The trio partnership of Mid Totti, Sohaib Karembeu and Nadom Onuoha have been marvelous not forgetting the strike force of Iskandar Macheda and Atoi "Pinky". Ibrahim "November", the F&F's supersub had scored 2 goals after coming off from the bench will surely stake a claim in the starting XI next season. Det-co, Boynaldo, Achoy "Altec" and Alip Possebon also made significant contribution to the team by being there when the team needs their unrelenting service.

Match Report : F&F Crumble at the Last Hurdle

It was the most anticipated match of the season as F&F and Phlamze are thrown into a title decider match. F&F needed to win the match in order to be crowned champions' whilst Phlamze needed a point to gain third spot.

Achai "Salah Key" started the match after being given the green light from the MMUFA to play his debut match. F&F started well by getting a goal in the early minutes through Sohaib Karembeu. As Phlamze's goalie tried to clear the ball inside his penalty area, the ball hit Sohaib Karembeu and F&F got their first goal. Lady luck seems to be on F&F's side as the goal went in but Phlamze had other plans in mind. The F&F's engine room seems stuttered with Phlamze's anchor man, John Sissoko doing his job well by breaking most of Flame's attacking play at the middle of the park. Phlamze's manager has surely done his homework by watching F&F's previous match against Salsa FC. Phlamze managed to deal with F&F's offside trap by launching long balls for their star player, Dinho to chase using his speed against rookie and aging defenders, Acap Brown and FerdiNadeem.

FerdiNadeem was lucky not to be given the marching order as his shirt pulling on Dinho running towards the goal was ony deemed punishable with a yellow card by the referee. Phlamze got their equaliser when Azim "Pelikat" poor goal kick went to straight to Phlamze's right winger and scored what could been the goal of the season. His wonderful volley went over Azim's head as he was rushing back to his 6 yard box.

The game was also smeared by an incident which was not spotted by the referee as Nadom Onuoha kicked the opponent from the back.

Phlamze's tactic on beating F&F's offside trap did bear fruit when Dinho sped off from his marker and caught Azim "Pelikat" not covering his post well. That allowed Dinho to pick his spot and gave Phlamze the lead. Manager Bob "The Builder" responded by substituting lack of match fitness, Achai "Salah Key" with Syah "Boboy". With Nadom Onuoha back to his favored position, F&F's midfield were expected to retain possession and control the match.

Just before the half time whistle are blown, F&F players cannot believe their luck again as Syah "Boboy"'s long ball directed to the Phlamze's goalie was fumbled and gifted the equaliser. The first half finished with 2-2 and pressure mounting on F&F as they need to win. Manager Bob "The Builder" made few changes by substituting Farouk "AutoPilot" with Zul "Takot Lipas" to the unfamiliar right back position for him. Azim "Pelikat" was due to appear in court over a bar brawl charge and was substituted with youth team goalie, Acap "Gigi".

Phlamze lead for the second time in the match as they scored when FerdiNadeem's clearance was intercepted by Phlamze's midfield and left 3 players against FerdiNadeem and Acap Brown. Zul K "Takot Lipas" contribution on the field did not last long as he and a Phlamzes' player were caught shoving each other and referee gave the marching order to both players.

Skipper Zul Rossi had to partner FerdiNadeem as Acap Brown already been substituted with Boynaldo just before Zul "Takot Lipas"'s red card. Phlamze were reduced to 9 men when Zul Rossi was hacked down by a Phlamze's defender and were given his second booking. F&F took advantage on Phlamze's 9 men by scoring the equaliser when Ibrahim "November"'s cross found Syah "Boboy" unmarked to tap in the ball.

F&F failure to find the winning goal has made CyberHeat the champion of Division 1 and F&F had to settled for the second spot. With score 3-3, it shows that even being unbeaten for the season does not guarantee the championship. Congratulation to newly crowned champion of Division 1,CyberHeat!

Zul K - "I vow not to do it again"

Hard tackling F&F left footed player, Zul K, has issued an apology to his teammates and fans here today.

Talking to a number of journalist lined-up outside the MMU Football Association building, Zul K was in an apologetic mood after his hearing in front of the MMU Disciplinary Committee and a press conference after that.

**click to see press statement

Zul K was quoted saying "I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to my teammates, fans, captain and manager for my indecent behaviour on the field the other day. I understand the severity of my doings and I accept whatever punishment there is both from the MMUFA and F&F management."

(pic: Zul K's punishment by F&F teammates; 1 day inside a bubble.)

He continues by saying "I truthfully regret my actions the other day and I vow not to cause anymore hassle within the team."

Zul K has been out of form of late and his on-field antics has not done him any favor either. He has been fined and also banned for 3 games by the MMUFA, subject to appeal from the F&F management quarters.

F&F's politically-correct manager, Bob "The Builder" who was also present during Zul K's hearing, was adamant that Zul K will get his acts together and perform for the team next season.

(pic: Bob seen here on vacation at Zoo Negara wondering about 1 of the hardest questions in life.)

"Everyone in the team knows how Zul K is and I think that's all that matters. I am very happy that he recognize his mistakes and is ready to apologize for it. This will not only do him good by bringing his confidence back but his teammates also can be rest assured now after his apology. As for the rest, he will need to show it on the field."

Match Preview: Crunch Time

Fire&Flames VS Phlamze
MMU Field
KickOff 1730

The Division 1's No. 1 spot will be decided today with F&F's highly anticipated matchup with Phlamze scheduled to kickoff at 0530pm.

Its crunch time for F&F as they are under pressure from CyberHeat, who comfortably shone their heat on Spirulina 3-0 yesterday. F&F will certainly be without their goalkeeper, Azim "Pelikat" after Azim is due to appear in court over a bar brawl charge. Azim's absence means Bob "The Builder" and skipper, Zul Rossi will have an enormous task of shuffling the line-up. Acap "Gigi" has been called upon by manager, Bob as stand-in for Azim. Nadum "Onuoha" who has some experience at top level playing as the man between the sticks might also fill up that position. As precautionary and back-up to defensive midfileder position, Achai "Salah Key" has been drafted in and might feature in the teams' plan today.

Rossi Delivers Complacency Warning

In a post-match press conference today, skipper Zul Rossi has issued a complacency message to his teammates.

Talking to reporters at the F&F's Cyberia training complex, Zul Rossi is happy with the level of efficiency the team has showed during last Monday's match against Salsa FC.

"To win by a margin like that was amazing. All the players did their job and sticked to the gameplan that was mentioned just before the game. I am quite sure the morale within the team is superb right now and all of them are ready for the final league game against Phlamze."

He further added, " But we also have to guard against complacency in the next match. As far as I am concerned, we are still fighting for the number 1 spot in the Super League. If we can play our normal game against Phlamze, I am quite sure everything will be alright."

F&F made a winning start in the first two games of the league, defeating Spirulina 2-0 and CyberHeat 1-0 along the way. But a slip-up to relegation threatened CF Mantisz two weeks ago made things a little bit difficult for them.

"It was uncharacteristic of the team in the draw against Mantisz. But all that is in the past now. I prefer for this team to look forward. We did that and responded well in the next game against Salsa FC and we look forward to the crunch game against Phlamze this Friday."

The exciting match between the two rivals will be played this Friday at the MMU Main Field with a scheduled 5.45pm kickoff.

Match Report: Flames Burns Five Past Salsa

F&F crowned the unveiling of their new kit in style yesterday after a 5-1 drubbing of Salsa FC. It's been nearly two weeks since F&F last match against relegated Mantizs FC as there were concerns about the squads match practice. But all that was put through the flames once the players walked on the pitch.

Manager Bob "The Builder" made a few changes to the line up by slotting Syah "Boboy" at the left back position and Det-co were given a new role as the holding midfielder. Skipper Zul Rossi made some tactical changes by playing two strikers upfront and putting himself as a free rolling attacker.

Salsa FC, who came with full squad of 25 players for the match, got the opening goal through their left winger after Iskandar Macheda's and Atoi "Pinky"'s shots were blocked by the goalie and defender. Salsa's defender cleared the ball long on the left side which was intercepted by Farouk "AutoPilot" but he failed to control the ball well with his gigantic size shin pad in the way. Salsa's left winger who obviously meant to cross the ball was more than happy to see his effort going goalwards as Azim "Pelikat" was caught at no man's land. The goal left experienced defender, FerdiNadeem fuming at Farouk's mistake but he only managed to show his shining teeth!.

Immediately after the kick off, F&F controlled the match with Mid Totti and Sohaib Karembeu combining beautifully throughout the match and F&F nearly scored the equaliser when Sohaib's shot were saved by the goalie. The non-stop attacking football from F&F was rewarded with a penalty when Mid Totti's killer ball caught the defender's hand inside the box. FerdiNadeem were given the chance to score from the spot when Iskandar Macheda and Mid Totti chose not to take it.


With the score now level, Salsa keep pushing on by playing long balls but their efforts was spoiled by F&F's offside traps. A few minutes after the penalty, FerdiNadeem's clearance found Iskandar Macheda channelling through the offside trap and were left one on one with the goalie. The promising striker rounded the keeper and slots in F&F's second with ease. Skipper, Zul Rossi squandered two chances to score late in the first half with both efforts going off target but the second one was a cheeky lob but it went over the bar.

F&F played with more killer balls in the second half as the Salsa's defend line were played too high up the pitch. Mid Totti's killer ball found Iskandar Macheda bursting past the helpless defenders but the goalie caught the ball outside the box. Mid Totti stepped up to take the free kick and did not disappoint the fans by scoring his third goal of the season. F&F fourth goal were scored by Atoi "Pinky" when he dribbled past the defenders and the goalie to tap in his first ever goal for F&F. Zul Rossi wasted two chances this half, trying to lob the keeper again. This is probably an influence from the Winning Eleven game where Zul Rossi is famous for trying to lob the keeper.

Zul "Takot Lipas", Nadom Onuoha, Ibrahim "November",Boynaldo and Alip Possebon were introduced in the second half with Det-co, Syah "Boboy", Farouk "AutoPilot", Iskandar Macheda and Atoi "Pinky" substituted. Nadom Onuoha watched his first timer volley saved by the goalie. Late in the second half, Mid Totti's vision found Ibrahim "November" bursting on the right wing straight into the penalty box to tap in his second goal of the season. FerdiNadeem were spotted by Boynaldo overlapping into the attacking position unmarked but his first touch did not help him as the goalie managed to clear the ball.

The champion of Division 1 will be decided when F&F play their last match of the season against Phlamze this Friday at MMU Field.

Kit Teaser

Fire&Flames New Kit Promotional Teaser 2009/2010

Kit Deal Announced

F&F club ambassador, Fatahuddin has today announced that a deal has been reached with a South American electronics giant for the sponsor of the clubs' new jersey.

The deal was made public in a press conference today by Fatahuddin who was relieved over the long standing negotiations.

Fatah said " I am glad to annouce that we have concluded a deal with our sponsors and the workings towards the new kit is underway. I know our fans has been waiting for this since the start of the season, but due to a number of reasons, the deal was delayed."

(pic: Fatah and Atoy Pinky)

He added, " If everything goes well within the next couple of days, we might be seeing a promotional teaser soon."

The kit and sponsors has been a major controversy in the F&F camp this season as negotiations stalled over at least one month. Skipper, Zul Rossi said " I think the fans will love the new jersey. Its not what we originally intended to have but I think its gonna go well with the team."