Thursday, February 25, 2010

Match Report: Resilient F&F Records Controversy Win

F&F followed through their win against Genki Noob with a controversial 3-1 victory against Bostwanian-based club, Gakerata FC on Tuesday. Both teams need to register a win to qualify themselves for the quarter final of MMU's prestigious Champions League tournament. The match had to be played on hard ground as the rain fails to descend .

Manager, Bob "The Builder" has a clean bill of health and was able to put out his strongest eleven. Farok "Autopilot" was missing from the line-up simply because people could not see him. Syafiq "Adik Noxs" was also absent as his brother would not let him borrow his Kawasaki Ninja 250cc. It is said that Syafiq refused to wear an all-black outfit asked by his brother as a condition if he wants to borrow the motorcycle. Zul Kecik "Takot Lipas" was given the captain armband for this game as part of his anger management course he is currently attending.

F&F went onto the match wearing their new white away kit as Gakerata came in their traditional fiery red. The gameplay in the first half was cagey as F&F tried to stop Gakerata's passing play with hard challenges. F&F defense, marshalled by veteran centre back, Ferdinadeem was superb in trapping Gakerata players on offside position. The back line consisting of right back, Azim "Pelekat", Zul Kecik "Takot Lipas" and Shahizam "Altec Lansing:The Return" and Ferdinadeem himself, managed to cut down Gakerata's chances by 90% with their offside trap. Gakerata did have a fantastic chance to draw first blood as a phenomenal volley was unleashed towards the F&F goal, but goalkeeper, Adli "Bobot" showed why F&F tried to acquire him for so long with a magnificent dive to clear out the impending danger. The rest of the game went on with half chances for both teams with F&F bombarding the ball forward hoping that the keeper will be caught out and Gakerata keeps getting caught offside. The first half ended 0-0.

At half time, Gakerata's representative complained about the some of the refereeing decisions that was made during the first half and asked for the referee to be changed. This was agreed upon by the organizer and both teams eventhough there was no instance of a situation like this ever occuring in an official match before.

F&F made a few changes in the second half by bringing in ex-skipper "Samir" Aie on for Atoy "Pinky" who lacked on match fitness. "Samir" Aie's first touch of the ball turns to be a fatal one as he fails to release the ball early for it to be picked up by Gakerata's left back. The ball was played across the field for a Gakerata player to latch on to, beating the offside trap and capitalising on the mistake. But F&F was resilient in their play and tried to fire their way back into the game. "Samir" Aie exerted the manager's faith in him as he latched on to a throw-in by Azim "Pelekat" and shrugged off the challenges of two Gakerata defenders to put in a cross that was misjudged by the Gakerata goalkeeper. With that leveller, F&F continued their pursuit for the second goal and their persistence was awarded when the legendary Mid "Totti" burst forward with the ball to the right side of the field. Mid "Totti" thereafter released an inch perfect cross for Eskandar "Macheda". Eskandar connected spectacularly with Mid's cross with a flying header. With the score now 2-1, Gakerata became more and more frustrated as their attacks were cut-out by F&F's tactical play. A controversial moment erupted when Gakerata appeared to have scored the equaliser but it was not counted as the referee raised his flag for offside a little bit late. The ball was played by a Gakerata midfielder into F&F's penalty box, intended for another Gakerata player who was in an offside position. While the ball was in-flight, it scrubbed off Azim's "Pelekat"s head and fall into the path of the offside Gakerata player. The linesman was hesistant to raise his flag but eventually did but a little bit late. The Gakerata players resented this decision. F&F went on with the game and tried to launch a counter attack with Ferdinadeem releasing the ball quickly from the defense area straight to Boynaldo who was waiting on the touchline. Boynaldo then released a monster ball to Eskandar "Macheda" who trapped the ball nicely to the path of Chun Yang "Mascherano". Chun Yang shrugged off the challenge of a Gakerata defender and laid on the ball for Eskandar "Macheda" to tap the ball home for his second goal of the game.

The game was marred at this point when the Gakerata players refused to get back into the field, still protesting about the goal that was not given. F&F players stayed on the pitch and waited for the opposition players to get back on the field but that proved to be non-existant. The referee finished off the game after a few minutes of waiting with the scoreline of 3-1 to F&F.

It is such a shame that the game had to be finished off the way it did. At the end of the day, football is still football and the game is played to provide a healthy competition among the MMU and Cyberjaya community. Protesting and leaving the game halfway would not do anyone any good and it shows a lack of maturity among the players. It is hoped that an incident like this would not happen again and it would be best to see the game played out to the end and hands shaking shortly after that.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Match Preview: F&F Vs Gakerata

Fire&Flames VS Gakerata
MMU Field
KickOff 1730


F&F expected to play tough match today against last season finalist, Gakerata with no previous meeting with them. Gakerata touted as the favorites to win the group after last season's performance but was unimpressive in their opening match against new comer SRM FC. They lost 1-0 thanks to their goalie who misjudged the ball to bounce off him into the goal mouth.


F&F physio has made a last minute check up with the players n happy to report that all of the players are free of injury. Skipper Zul Rossi and winger, Boynaldo were involved in a car accident yesterday's night and thankfully both of them did not sustain any serious injury. Boynaldo, however appeared to be traumatized and at one time thinking he was in the hospital. FerdiNadeem and Anis "Mamu" rushed to the hospital after receiving a call from Boynaldo saying he's in the hospital but it turned out both of them still at the accident scene. A "BONJOL" near his left eye could be the answer why he was not thinking straight. Boynaldo was told to rest for today's encounter but could feature from the bench depending on the recovery of the "BONJOL".

Friday, February 5, 2010

Match Report: Debutants Sinks Genki Noob

Heavy rain just 30 mins before the kick off nearly postponed the match, but luckily the rain resulted in a good weather as it stopped merely 10 mins before kick off. Genki Noob players were early at the field clad with their new black and white stripes jersey.

Bob "The Builder" has confirmed the re-signing of former skipper Samir Aie and he is set to start from the bench. Acap Brown were given the nod to start alongside FerdiNadeem and Faruk "AutoPilot" played at unfamiliar role at left back. Azim "Pelekat" have gained trust from the gaffer to start at right back after his impressive display last season. As expected, Mid Totti partnered Charles Essien and debutant Chunyang Masherano whereas Eskandar Macheda passed a late fitness test to be included in the starting eleven. Boynaldo was a surprise starter on the wing as he just arrived from oversea(Sabah) in less than 12 hours, could be jet lagged.

F&F as usual did not start the play well few minutes after ref whistled for kick off. F&F's defence seem unable to control and pass the ball well which former Kayu FC's winger, Syah Senoi tried to exploit. Mistakes by the defence gave Syah Senoi a chance to score but FerdiNadeem's last ditch sliding tackle made Syah Senois' life difficult.

That proved to be the best ever chance Genki Noob could ever get the whole match. Boynaldo nearly broke the dead lock when skipper, Zul Rossi's cross found Boynaldo at the far post but his shot was off target. After a few set pieces, F&F finally scored when Mid Totti's free kick found FerdiNadeem unmarked at the far post and got a free header to open his account for the new season.

F&F started the 2nd half by making changes few changes to the defensive and attacking lines. Zul "TakotLipas" and Shah "Boboy" were introduced to replace Faruk "AutoPilot" and Acap Brown whereas jet lagged Boynaldo and Eskandar Macheda gave way for Samir Aie and Affan Pedro. Samir Aie has been given a new role to play as target man upfront and Affan Pedro on the right wing.

F&F were given a free kick after Zul Rossi was manhandled from behind just outside the box. FerdiNadeem and Samir Aie both lined up to take the free kick and their un-rehearsed freekick manouver proved to be too confusing for the Noobs' keeper after Samir Aie unleashed a beautiful free kick passed the goalkeeper. F&F started to control the game after the 2nd goal. Charles Essien was then replaced by another debuntant Syafiq "Adik Noxs".

The gaffer made a tactical change by swapping Zul Rossi and Chunyang Mascherano's position. Chunyang Mascherano nearly scored when he was one on one situation with the goalie but Genki Noob's goalie made a clean tackle to prevent Chunyang from registering his 1st goal for F&F. Few minutes after that, F&F launched a counter attack which saw Affan Pedro and Samir Aie combining to create a wonderful opportunity for the 3rd goal and finishing off Genki Noob but Affan Pedro squandered the chance.

Shah "Boboy" played well on the left back to keep Syah Senoi quiet for the whole of 2nd half. F&F launched another counter attack when Samir Aie's killer ball found Chunyang Mascherano to score a wonderful curling goal and put the game beyond the Noobs' comprehension. It was a good result for F&F but overall there is a lot improvement to be made.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Match Preview: F&F Vs Genki Noob

Fire&Flames VS Genki Noob
MMU Field
KickOff 1730

With Crescent pulled out from the tournament because of incomplete squad, Group B is now left with only 4 teams. F&F set to play against Genki Noob today since Gakerata and SRM FC have played against each other yesterday.


Eskandar Macheda is still doubtful for the match as F&F's physio will make a last minute assessment over his ankle whereas Atoi "Pinky" is set to miss the game because of severely lacking of match fitness since he suffered from chicken pox. There is no indication from the gaffer regarding who will partner FerdiNadeem in the heart of defence.

Mid Totti is set to partner Charles Essien and debutant Chunyang Mascherano in the engine room. Former skipper, Samir Aie could make his debut today after his agent has approached the club over a potential transfer from MMU Cup Champion, Black Emperor. The negotiation still on going and if the agreements are finalised before the kick off, he could start from the bench.

Both teams will be looking for 3 points today after seeing unseeded SRM FC registered a 1-0 win over MMU Cup finalist,Gakerata yesterday.

Monday, February 1, 2010

F&F Drawn Into Group B



2nd seeded F&F were drawn into Group B alongside last season's MMU Cup finalist, Gakerata. Vice captain, FerdiNadeem who attended was happy with the draw. This will be a new challenge for F&F because the team never played against Gakerata, SRM FC, Crescent and Genki Noob in any competitive matches before.

F&F is scheduled to play on Thursday, 4th February against Crescent.

New Signings

After 2 years trying to lure Dettol FC's skipper, F&F is now proudly to announce that Adli "Bobot" is officially a F&F player. Skipper Zul Rossi and his entourage, Boynaldo and FerdiNadeem were the people responsible to convince Adli "Bobot" to sign for F&F on permanent basis even though there were rumors saying he is on loan for 1 season.


Fatah Van der Vaart is on rehab after had an operation to his knee as acted as a super agent after manage to sign former Wizurai's defensive midfielder, Chunyang Masherano on free transfer. Dettol FC tried to sign him but instead he chose F&F. He is the perfect replacement for Nadom Onuoha after FerdiNadeem unconvincing display last season.


Syafiq "Adik Noxs" is the final player to sign for F&F this season. He has been on F&F's radar since last season and impressed during his trial with the team. He is set to challenge Shah "Boboi" for the left back berth.

Pre-season Report

F&F kick-offed their pre-season friendly match against 2nd Division's Genki Noob. Bob "The Builder" was at the center of attention at the field as he forgot to call a referee for the match which resulted the not-so-friendly match between both teams which ended 1-1 scored by Affan.

F&F played against a newly formed team lead by former Dettol FC's maestro, Luqman. SRM FC impressed everyone by playing passing football against struggling F&F. SRM FC won the match 2-1, with FerdiNadeem's rare free kick got the team back on track but SRM FC managed to score the winning goal few minutes after the F&F's equalizer.

It was a goalless draw for F&F's final friendly match against Seryes FC. F&F will be looking to improve their finishing in open play game. Eskandar Macheda only managed to play in the 1st half against Seryes FC and still struggling with his niggling ankle.