Home >> Results & Fixtures >> Sunday 3rd December 2006
Sunday 3rd December 2006 (GM Monkeys 5 v Argentina 2)
Writen by Chris Tan
Venue: Armitage Sports Centre Manchester
19 December 2007
After months of going through the grueling structured training schedule implemented by new captain Chris Tan, there were high expectations as the GM Monkeys arrived on the 5th November 2006 at the JJB SoccerDome for the 26th MCYA. The team got knocked out in the group stages.
So apart from the rather fetching team photo above, not much else was achieved.
The team left the SoccerDome knowing that there was still a hell of a lot of work to be done.
With that in mind, Chris Tan decided that the team needed some international football experience. A friendly fixture with Argentina was organized.
Teams: GM Monkeys v Argentina (some young pretenders that play in the Argentina kit as opposed to the real deal...)
The Monkeys started the game rather slowly as they were running into 60 mph wind. The new defensive unit worked well with Tony commanding the back line and Yip helping out from midfield. Offensively the Monkeys were far more fluent than previously and the new formation appeared to be paying dividends.
After 10 minutes of stalemate Chris T received the ball on the left, he neatly side stepped his marker and crossed the ball into the area where the new signing Danny Y pounced on the cross and smacked it into the corner! 1-0 to the Monkeys!
Unfortunately the lead didn’t last very long, strongly helped by the strong wind and their creative midfielder Messi (on the back of his shirt) Argentina managed to equalise with a hopeful lob that sailed in over the resilient Monkeys keeper (1-1).
The Monkeys didn’t lose morale though and were quickly back on the attack, a well worked move down the right with Yip and the energetic Colin placed the lethal Darren Butterworth through on goal and he was deadly with his finish, 2-1!
The Monkeys had made it to half time with a 2-1 lead over Argentina and now they had the wind advantage the game was about to become a different story.
The Monkeys started the second half like a team possessed, buoyed by the substitutions with Hung, Andrew and Chat in for Ed, Ming and Chi. The midfield and attack was fluid and a joy to watch. After 5 minutes Tony found some space and brought the ball to midfield where he picked out Chris in attack and lofted a through ball to him, Chris knocked the ball instantly down to Darren with 1 touch and turned and ran through to goal. Quick to react, Daz put the ball through to Chris where he volleyed the ball over the oncoming keeper and into the back of the net! 3-1 to the Monkeys!
The ever resilient Argentina battled on though and the Monkeys keeper was forced to make save after save from their attacks. Finally, one of their floated long balls managed to blow over the Monkeys defence and their striker managed to scrap the ball into the back of the net (3-2).
The Monkeys started to dominate possession and went through a period of successive corners expertly placed by Hung Lau. On the third corner, Chris ran from deep and went to head the ball but the wind took it away from him. The ball dropped down hitting him in the knee and rolled into the corner of the goal. A very scrappy goal but it enabled the Monkeys to widen their lead to 4-2!
Late in the game Chris expertly flicked the ball over Argentina’s right back however the typical dirty fullback kneed him in the leg and Chris had to sit off the final 10 minutes. The Monkeys created chance after chance with the usually deadly Darren B doing a Cristiano Ronaldo and missing an open goal from 8 yards out. Then Ming was put through several times hitting all of his 1 on 1s directly at the keeper. Finally, to finish off the game Hung was given a chance in front of goal and he neatly knocked the ball over the Argentina keeper to make the score 5-2 to the Monkeys.
Player Ratings (Out of 10) and Comments:
Player |
Rating |
Comments |
| Rob |
7 |
Wasn’t asked to do very much but when he was called upon he didn’t fall short. Kept his concentration well for long periods where he was just a spectator |
| Chi |
6 |
On for a half Chi did what every good full back should do, he did his job well which meant that he didn’t get noticed as much. |
| Simon |
7 |
With good energy levels Simon worked hard up and down the flank, often exposed by the midfield’s attacking nature, he worked well to contain the Argentinean winger and to link up with Chris. |
| Tony |
8 |
An excellent game on his team debut, a very experienced player and it showed when he commanded the back line |
| Ming |
7 |
Played half a game in defence and the other half in attack, the utility man didn’t look out of place in either position although his finishing could use some work. |
| Yip |
8 |
Yip showed tremendous commitment throughout the game, always willing to work for the team. Their attackers always had to watch their backs as Yip would be charging down on them to catch them. With excellent link up play to change defence to attack Yip played the holding role to perfection |
| Colin |
8 |
Another debutant, Colin definitely ate his weetabix, full of energy he was constantly harassing the Argentina players and he was hungry for the ball. Colin was part of many great moves and he was unlucky not to have got on the score sheet. |
| Ed |
7 |
Only on for one half Ed had a great game doing all the simple things and doing them well, he linked up excellently with Chris on the left and didn’t shirk from his defensive duties |
| Darren |
7 |
On another day Darren could have scored a hatful but as ever his name was on the score sheet. He provided the team with a target to aim for and worked hard for the team with his movement and was unselfish with his passing. |
| Chris |
8 |
Chris worked hard for the team although he sometimes left his position in order to demand the ball. A constant threat coming from the left as he tried to replicate his hero Ronaldinhio and he worked hard defensively to cut out opposition attacks and to give options offensively. |
| Danny |
6 |
A well taken debut goal from Danny who was a part of some of the first half build ups, unfortunately he faded out of the game a little at times. From what we’ve seen though, there’s definitely more to come from Danny. |
| Substitutes |
| Andrew |
7 |
As always, a selfless performance from Andrew who placed himself on the bench. When he came on his determination to win the ball was evident and the Argentinean forwards never had an easy ride. |
| Chat |
6 |
Chat had a mixed performance with moments of brilliance followed by a few school boy errors. He has managed to cut down on his old habit of dribbling before thinking and his work ethic is never questionable. |
| Hung |
7 |
A measured performance from Hung’s cameo appearance, a late arrival gave Colin the opportunity to start. Hung fought for every ball hassling the opposition and he worked the ball well in attack with an excellently placed goal. His corner taking was also extremely precise overall being a great addition to the team |
| Cow |
5 |
Possibly played out of position Cow looked a little out of his depth, playing the wrong kind of ball at the wrong time and failing to pick up the Argentinean runners. A difficult first match but there’s plenty of time for improvement |
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