Who are we?.... 4za!!! Who are we?... 4za!!! Who are we?... forza!!!

Going into our last match of the year, our captain have chosen the following to complete the

ultimate task, winning the last match of the year:

Pongky

Koen Mathias Gavin Julian

Oli Peter Francois Christos Selim

Flambers

Substitutes: Pablo, Jeremy, Aviv, Alexej.

With the uplifting Christmas songs in the changing room, the atmosphere of the team was in

the high spirits looking forward to the game, laughters and focus filled up the changing room, after

the usual strong encouragement words from the O’Connor, everyone started the warming up

routine.

Kick off and the game started with good pressure from both teams eager to win the possession and

try to score the first goal of the game, with high tempo and fast phase from both teams.

Unfortunately, FC Ireland managed to win the race by scoring a tap in goal to the bottom right

corner. Somehow, this started a fire in Pongky’s fighting desire and started to become more vocal

and shouting after every attack that happened trying to keep the team in the game by blocking and

catching every attack. Not giving up, the team tried to play and pull the game into FC 4ZA rhythm but

did not come with easy task.

Attack from both flanks and high pressure caused one of our senior players, Flambers, to get a nasty

tackle from the opponent and caused him to unfortunately stop his game early, however, this gave

the opportunity for 4ZA to cool their emotions and heads and refocus on the task at hand! After

idling waiting for Flambers to move which unfortunately ended up with him subbed off and replaced

by Alexej, the game continued by 4ZA attackers side pressing high and ended up with Selim managing

to find a gap to finish his attack and scored to make it level! (of course, knowing our good Selim, he

cannot have a match without a yellow card, he decided to celebrate by taking of his shirt). Jenius.

After a good battle fought in the first half, we finally took the opportunity to re-hydrate and discuss

the next strategy in the second half.

Going into the second half, the game play started to fall more into 4ZA style where we kept

possession and caused trouble to their defenders. However, their attacking strengths managed to

find couple of gaps in our defensive line and they were kept out by a double (circus style) saves from

close distance by Pongky. Looking at the reaction of what can only be considered as missing an open

goal by, their fighting spirit started to crumble and giving 4ZA another chance to stay in the game.

Changes:

Jeremy for Selim and Aviv for Koen.

With 3 minutes to go after another high press situation by 4ZA, a scrappy cross fell to Aviv, he misshit it, spun into their last man who then sliced it into his own net. Tragic. Against the run of play but

we took it and celebrated wildly. The game felt won. Their heads went down. We couldn’t believe

our luck. The ball came pressing forward and there was definite pressure on 4ZA and our strong

ethos to meet that pressure. A few high balls sprayed into the half were all dealt with until one loose

one came to Matthias who launched it forward. Oli, even after an intense 70 minutes, latched on to

the loose ball, rounded the keeper and finished the game off with 3-1 – cue again wild uncontrolled

celebrations.

10 days late and hazy recollection of the events – let it be noted for future MOTM – write your report

within 48 hours of result – aka when it’s fresh in the mind. (G.O’C.)

Motm and "reporter” Pongky Hendrik Lubbe Bakker