Match Report : F&F Made To Rue Chances

F&F crashed out of the MMU FA Cup on penalties yesterday at the MMU Stadium. The scores were tied at 1-1 after full time and the match had to be determined by penalty kicks.

F&F started the game slowly in the first half with the players still finding their rhythm. A scrappy play from Charles "Essien" nearly gave a heart attack to the F&F players as he dwelled on the ball only for it to be plucked out of his feet by a marauding Phlamze player but F&F defence led by veteran NadeemStone are able to ease the danger. Manager, Bob The Builder saw the need for an early change with an ineffective Affan "Pedro" still trying to blend in with the team substituted with Sohaib "Karembeu". Sohaib's introduction really made a difference as F&F started to play their normal passing style with everyone on their feet. But lady luck was not on F&F side as Syah "Boboy" made a foul that leads to a freekick at the edge of F&F penalty area.A Phlamze player struck a harmless freekick towards goal but a miscommunication between NadeemStone and debutant goalkeeper "Carlos Vicky Kameni" led to a freak own goal by the big haired NadeemStone. F&F were waken up from their slumber after the goal, conjuring attack after attack with the highlight being a swift and silky move by Hairi "Krikc" only to have his shot hit the post.

After a spirited team talk during half time, the F&F side walked back into the pitch with much to prove. Waves of attacks were thrown at the Phlamze backline but F&F squander chances after chances. Phlamze were finally unlocked when "Atoy Pinky" managed to get pass a few of Phlamze defender and distributed the ball to Eskandar "Macheda". The on-form striker made no mistake after taking one touch to turn it away from a defender and fired the ball home to tie the score. F&F controlled much of the possesion thereafter with the defense doing a fantastic job of quieting the opponents midfield and attack. Phlamze were resorted to playing English style football of pumping the ball to the final quater of the field. Skipper, Zul Rossi then was drafted to the middle of the park when Azim "Pelekat" was introduced. The frontline inclusive of Eskandar "Macheda", Hairi "Krikc", Sohaib "Karembeu" and Zul Rossi led by Mid "Totti" launched waves of mini-tsunamis towards Phlamze but F&F were made to rue the chances they created. Eskandar had an excellent chance of winning the game after the Phlamze defense misjudged a flighting ball from Azim "Pelekat" but he failed to make the chance count as he was sandwiched between the goalkeeper and the defender.

The game went into penalty kicks with Phlamze converting all their penalties but F&F's Azim "Pelekat" hit a thunderous shot to the bar which made the final penalty score 5-4 in favour of Phlamze.

It was a great game to watch with plenty of passion showed in playing the beautiful game. Congratulations to Phlamze as they progressed to the semi-final of the tournament and we wish them the best of luck.

Match Preview: F&F Looking to March On

Fire&Flames VS Phlamze
MMU Stadium
KickOff 1730

After scraping through their round of 16 match against Spirulina a fortnight weeks ago, F&F are looking to improve in todays' match against Phlamze.

MMU Champions League (Semester 3 2008/2009)
F&F (0) vs (0) Phlamze

Division 1 League Match (Semester 1 2009/2010)
F&F (3) vs (3) Phlamze

A messy display against Phlamze today will not be tolerated as F&F aims to continue their march towards defending the title. "Carlos Vicky Kameni", a deadline day deal for F&F is set to make his debut after missing out on the first game due to a family commitment. The brave Cameroonian goalkeeper was flown back from his home country almost immediately and has been training all week.

Team manager, Bob The Builder and skipper, Zul Rossi are set to tinker again with the lineup as they bid to unsettle Phlamze. The midfield triumvirate will be tuned to accommodate and control the middle of the park. Charles "Essien" will be aiming to keep his place at his favorite position after a solid display in his debut match.

Skipper, Zul Rossi who is less than impressed with his defense in the match against Spirulina said on Monday that there will be changes to the defensive line. Syah "Boboy" who made a superb case for his starting berth last semester in the MMU Division 1 League is sweating over his starting position after a dismal first half cameo in the last game. Meanwhile, Zul "Takot Lipas" appeal over his red card will be announced today after a quick hearing. Club lawyers are adamant that the red card verdict will be retracted but it will only be known after the formal proceedings are done.

Eskandar "Macheda" 2 goals against Spirulina will make his case for the starting lineup. The on-form striker is eager to drive the team forward after missing out the gold medal in several occasions. Boynaldo is still sidelined over his knee injury and is rated 50-50 for today's game. Also, F&F new signing, promising youngsters Hairi "Krikc" and Affan "Pedro" is expected to make some contribution over the period of the game. Mohamnad "Mido" could also be in line for F&F if everything goes well with his work permit application.

Match Report : Struggling Flames Scrape Through

It was F&F's first competitive match after 3 months since their last match against Phlamze in the Division 1. There were 3 debutants for F&F but only Charles Essien being given the nod to start alongside NadeemStone and Mid Totti.

F&F started the match brightly when Eskandar Macheda scored an early goal to pressure Spirulina's players. NadeemStone did not play well at his new position but managed to released a killer pass for Boynaldo whose shot was blocked by a defender. Spirulina held their heads up by playing an attacking football. Their attacking play was rewarded when Boynaldo fouled their player. F&F players were stunned after seeing the free kick from long distance ended up in the goal.

In the second half, Zul "TakotLipas" played at left back with Faruk "AutoPilot" came on for Shah "Boboy" to partner with Acap Brown at the heart of the defend. F&F continue to find the second goal but everything had to change because Zul "TakotLipas" was given his marching order after ref judged him for kicking an opponent during a corner kick for F&F. He was furious with that decision because he did not touch anyone at all. Spirulina players were not complaining anything about Zul "TakotLipas" kicking any of their players.

With that decision, Zul Rossi had to play on the left back, disappointing display by NadeemStone and Boynaldo were substituted by Sohaib Karembeu and Atoy "Pinky". A free kick from Mid Totti found Eskandar Macheda's head to score his second goal of the match. Spirulina pegged F&F immediately from a free kick which left F&F's back four sleeping and one of Spirulina's player managed to beat the offside trap to score the equaliser. 2 new signings , Affan and Hairi were given their debut and Affan playing up front with Eskandar Macheda nearly scored the winner when he was one on one with the goalie but the goalie managed to parry his shot out for a corner kick.

The full time ended with a stalemate and penalty shoot out was needed to decide the winner. Zul Rossi for the first time in a competitive match play in goal. Although Mid Totti missed the penalty, F&F's players was happy to see one of Spirulina penalty taker missed the kick. In the end it was sudden death penalty taken by Sohaib Karembeu and proved vital for F&F as he scored from the spot. F&F will face rival, Phlamze in the second round after they won 3-1 against Bakala.

Match Preview: Re-vamped Flames Looking for First Win

Fire&Flames VS Spirulina
MMU Field
KickOff 1730

F&F is set to play against Spirulina in a bid to defend their title. Spirulina is not an unfamiliar side for F&F to face having played against them in past 2 seasons.

MMU Champions League (Qtr Final)
F&F (2) vs (0) Spirulina

Division 1 League Match
F&F (2) vs (0) Spirulina

Even with the scoreline above is on F&F's side, it did not do justice for Spirulina. Spirulina is a side which has improved a lot for the past few years since their involvement in MMU football scenario. It seems luck was never on their side.

F&F is now looking end their run without any title since becoming MMU Cup Champion. Since then, F&F only managed to get 4th place in the MMU Champions League and was the runners up in the Division 1 and gained promotion to the Premier League last season.

This season F&F will be without their defensive midfielder, Nadom Onuoha and skipper Zul Rossi tend to tinker with FerdiNadeem playing in that position. FerdiNadeem therefore will change his nick name to NadeemStone(HUDDLESTONE). Faruk "AutoPilot" is set to control the defends with his auto piloting technique alongside Acap Brown.
Shah "Boboy" is set to retain the left back berth after performed well last season.

Zul Rossi has yet to decide who to play on right back and right wing. Azim "Pelekat" has demanded to play as an outfield position mainly as the right back after scoring the equaliser against FOE in the Interfaculty Final. Alip Possebon will be looking to fight for the right back position with Azim whereas the right wing berth has 3 candidates, veteran Boynaldo, Charles Essien and new signing Hairi. Vicky from Salsa has signed for F&F as a goalkeeper as a last minute replacement for Azim.

F&F to Defend MMU Cup with New Signings

It has been a year since F&F won the MMU Cup in their debut season led by former skipper Samir Aie. Since then, F&F has never won any major honors but came close last season to winning the Division 1 title. F&F is on unbeaten streak since last season for 5 matches.

Manager, Bob "The Builder" has made some changes to the squad after Nadom Onuoha, Acoy "Altec",Det-Co and Ibrahim "November" quit the team. Nadom Onuoha has been released by the gaffer because of psychiatric reasons which occurred since the last match against Phlamze. There was a rumour saying that he can't accept losing the title race by a point to rival, CyberHeat. He is now having treatment with the famous psychiatrist, Alfred Adler specialist in individual psychology. Acoy "Altec" meanwhile had to retire because of health issues whereas Det-Co retired because suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Overeating [OCO] (Also known as binge eating). Ibrahim quit to make a new team called Mixed Team to seek more playing time on the field after starting most matches from the bench last season.

Charles Essien has rejoined the team after plying his trade with Salsa FC for the last 2 seasons. He was part of F&F team that won the MMU Cup last year. Whereas, the gaffer had captured 2 new faces for the team, Hairi and Affan. Hairi can play as winger,midfield and striker and Affan can play as a striker.

F&F is up against Spirulina in the first round of MMU Cup and the winner will play against either Phlamze or new team, Bakala. Below is the finalised list of F&F's squad:-

Goalkeeper
1. Abduladzim Zaharudin

Defenders
2. Zulfadly Zulkipli
3. Faruk Hassan
4. Shahizam Ahmad Ismail
5. Ashraf Effendy
6. Aliff Redza

Midfielders
7. Charles Daniel Sebastian
8. Zul Fitri Mohd Supandi
9. Azry Mohamed Yaakob
10.Syed Nadeem Hussin Shah
11.Mid Mayson Tom
12.Hairi Hussein
13.Faris Safwan
14.Sohaib Al-Bakari

Strikers
15.Eskandar Zulkarnain
16.Zharfan Zulkifli

F&F's Players Starred in Interfaculty Tournament

After a long festive season break, the Interfaculty Tournament was the curtain raiser for the new season. Most of the F&F's players such as most capped FIT's skipper, Boynaldo, FOM's skipper Acap Brown, Azim "Pelekat", Atoy "Pinky", Shah "Boboy, and Eskandar Macheda performed throughout the tournament.

Boynaldo scored once from the spot during the group stage match against eventual champion, FOE and finished at 3rd place. Meanwhile newly appointed FOM's skipper, Acap Brown lifted the team's spirit by scoring the winner in the final minutes during their first match against FIT.

Eskandar Macheda scored a brace in the their second match against FCM, which Atoy "Pinky" was the playmaker and F&F's new signing Affan scored the 4th goal. Charles Essien re-signed for F&F this season played in all the matches for FOM but missed the penalty shoot-out against FOE.

Azim "Pelekat" showed his versatility throughout the tournament by playing in goal, centre back and right back and scored a thunderous long shot in the final match. Syah "Boboy" who seems lack of match fitness in the tournament played in unfamiliar position along side Acap Brown at centre back for 2 matches.