MAFL Week 17 Roundup
The tides have turned as we head into the final 5 matches of season 2. We see some major shifts in the standings as the Titans unbelievably find themselves among the top three of the standings, and with the most goals scored. The Comets have been the season’s biggest disappointment so far despite a solid scoring record.
Al’amal Sports Club - Titans
Simha 16 • Al’amal Stadium
Ware celebrates after her amazing performance at Al’amal
“Ware” in the world?! Raenia Ware pulls off a hat trick for the Titans.
Despite being a well-respected captain of the Titans, Ware has always been a mediocre scorer. While her numbers are nothing to sneeze at, Ware is usually setting up the plays for the more flamboyant Nash to execute. However today’s match was another story as she completely steals the show in a relentless attack against Al’amal—claiming the first hat trick of Season 2.
The Titan defenders were able to control the second half perfectly—containing Baddour and Fayad in their attempts to go on the offensive. Nash was absent yet again and was reported to still be in San Olympus. Titan’s coach has assured fans that Nash will return the following week.
GOALS
1ST 4’ Baddour (Al’amal) scores on a direct freekick.
1ST 16’ Ware (Titans) scores with a cross-kick from the upper left of the box.
2ND 12’ Ware (Titans) scores again with an assist from Terrell
2ND 20’ Ware (Titans) smashes a right-footed curve straight into the top-left corner.
NOTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS
1ST 12’ Al’amal midfielder, Ramin, is out with a minor sprain, but is expected to be back on the field next week.
| SHOTS | |
|---|---|
| 16 | 26 |
| POSSESSION | ||
|---|---|---|
| 42% | 58% | |
| FOULS | |
|---|---|
| 4 | 3 |
Wuji Sports Club - Titans
Simha 16 • Immortals Stadium
A unbelievably close match as Wuji ends the Immortal’s winning streak.
The two teams traded goals as the first half was a furious burst of brilliant plays. Immortals forward, Hagendoorn, claims one of the quickest goals in MAFL history—scoring from the midfield just 20 seconds into the first half! Boosted by that incredible opener, the Immortals played hard, but was unable to get the upper hand against Wuji.
Minute before the end of first half, Alvi’s goal goes down as one for the books. His earth-shattering kick cracked the protective casing in the EV suit and he had to be whisked off the pitch amidst worried teammates.
Wuji claimed the victory after a dry and drawn-out second half with one of Lian’s precision strikes into the right of the net.
GOALS
1ST 20’’ Hagendoorn (Immortals) scores a long range kick that sails home from the centre line.
1ST 2’ Wong (Wuji) breaks-away after a counterattack and executes low and easy tap after faking out Badal
1ST 15’ Talpur (Immortals) gives a flying bicycle kick what catches Seaton by surprise.
1ST 26’ Alvi (Wuji) scores an equalizer from the outside corner with a smashing roundhouse of a kick.
2ND 20’ Lian (Wuji) settles the match with a left-footed flick into the right as Badal dives left.
NOTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS
1ST 17’’ Tagore is ejected with a red card after being booked for charging—Wuji midfield, Feimann is out with a mild concussion after the collision
Two Immortals injured this match: a minor sprain for Kaafi puts her out for a week, and a slight wrist fracture for Fox means he’ll be out for two weeks.
| SHOTS | |
|---|---|
| 14 | 16 |
| POSSESSION | |
|---|---|
| 51% | 49% |
| FOULS | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | |
Dongji - Dynamos
Simha 17 • Dongji Park
Cheng lines up to take his penalty kick against Danilovich.
Victory didn’t come easy to the Dynamos as Dongji fought tooth and nail.
It was a much-needed win for the Dynamos at Dongji Park on Solis. “It was a bit too close for comfort but we’ll take the win,” says club manager, Sergey Ludomir, of the match results. Dongji played with heart and perseverance as they powered on despite equipment malfunctions forcing them to cycle through the substitutions earlier than planned.
Samrend was injured midway through the second half and his absence left a serious gap in the offense, leaving Karaaria to net the winning goal in the final minutes of extra time. Samrend will be out of play until week 19 as he recovers from a twisted ankle.
GOALS
1ST 3’ Petrovich (Dynamos) opens up strong with an aggressive slam into the top-right corner
1ST 11’ Samrend (Dynamos) redirects a pass with the outside of his right-foot into the left of the net.
2ND 16’ Ekberg (Dongji) punts a stray pass past Danilovich’s head before he can react.
2ND 24’ Cheng (Dongji) takes a penalty kick and nails it with a deceptive tap into the left while Danilovich dived right.
ET 2’ Karaaria (Dynamos) flips the ball over heads with a slow lob into a net that Su could not reach in time.
| SHOTS | |
|---|---|
| 28 | 22 |
| POSSESSION | |
|---|---|
| 55% | 45% |
| FOULS | |
|---|---|
| 3 | 2 |
United - Comets
Simha 17 • Europa Stadium
Comets hit hard, but United stands strong and hits smarter.
Pernet is back on the field following full recovery from a fractured arm—and she’s back with a vengeance. The United forward had been out of commission since week 6, but her absence has not dulled her offensive abilities as she pulled off a neat top-side boost to intercept a high pass and counterattack with a straight smash into the goal.
The Comets played hard, but without the finesse that one would expect from last year’s MAFL champions. Their physical intensity turned out more fouls than goals. With their lacklustre performance so far, the Comets are statistically out of the running for this seasons championships.
GOALS
1ST 7’ Pernet (United) pulls of a downward smash of the ball with her heel following a top-side boost.
1ST 18’ Barnato (United) scores with an assist from Khosla
2ND 3’ Houghton (Comets) receives a beautiful long range lob from Liu to punt it into the top right.
2ND 13’ Khosla (United) scores with an assist from Fuchs
2ND 20’ DeMarco (Comets) redirects a pass with a slide tackle—pushing it into the goal.
| SHOTS | |
|---|---|
| 28 | 22 |
| POSSESSION | |
|---|---|
| 57% | 43% |
| FOULS | |
|---|---|
| 2 | 6 |
Stats & Standings
Rankings
| Team | M | W | L | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titans | 17 | 11 | 6 | 44 |
| United | 17 | 11 | 6 | 41 |
| Dynamo | 17 | 10 | 7 | 39 |
| Al'Amal Sports Club | 17 | 10 | 7 | 38 |
| Wuji Sports Club | 17 | 8 | 9 | 38 |
| Comets | 17 | 7 | 10 | 43 |
| Immortals | 17 | 7 | 10 | 32 |
| Dongji | 17 | 3 | 14 | 28 |
| Top Scorers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Uday Lanka | 14 | |
| Readale Nash | 13 | |
| Darkeem Dennis | 13 | |
| Arwa Farra | 10 | |
| Qigang Lian | 10 | |
| Raenia Ware | 8 | |
| Jube Terrell | 8 | |
| Yvonne Barnato | 8 | |
| Ilya Petrovich | 8 | |
| Lennard Fuchs | 7 | |
Dynamos Dynamite!
Three weeks since the colony-wide quarantine and three consecutive wins over that span.
Marineris - Solis, Makara 8, 2007, m249
Dynamo #1 Karaaria was led the way to a 2-0 victory over Comets.
With the panic of the Chubarov outbreak finally starting to subside at Novyimir, the Dynamos continue playing their most inspired football of the season.
Three weeks since the colony-wide quarantine and three consecutive wins over that span.
“Our matches have been a much needed distraction for our people back home and it has driven us to play better”, said Captain Ilya Petrovich.
With their 2 – 0 upset victory over the mighty Marineris Comets @ Marineris stadium, the Dynamo have moved back into the playoff picture trailing 3rd and 4th place Al’amal SC and the Amrita Immortals (both losers this weekend) by just one win.
The Dynamo opened up scoring at the 29th minute as a Comets cross was intercepted by Petrovich who fed a streaming Rozalia Budnik who supplied the finish with a left-footed volley that slammed into the lower corner past Comets’ goalkeeper Zaida Agre. Dynamo 1 Comets 0.
Just before the end of the first half at the 43rd minute, Avideh Karaaria exchanged passed with Budnik before thrashing a powerful curling shot past Agre for the 2nd and final goal of the match.
In the 2nd half, the Dynamo switched to an aggressive 5-2-2-1 defensive formation with five defenders, two defensive midfielders, two offensive midfielders and one clean striker.
The switch paid off results as they were able to shut down the Comets to secure the 2 – 0 win.
In fact, this was the same defensive formation Dynamo used in Week 16 to upset the league leading Titans and to beat United in Week 15.
All of a sudden, the Dynamo, who lead the league in goals allowed with 31, are now the new ministers of defence having allowed zero goals in their last three matches. With two wins under #11 Danilovich's belt as goalkeeper, the club's gamble with placing a forward between the post seems to be paying off.
“I actually don’t recognize that Dynamo team we just played,” added Comets manager Gordan J. Pryce. “They’re playing inspired football with scintillating shut down defence. If they continue this path and make the playoffs, they’ll be a dangerous wild card.”
Titans Rebound
In Week 17, who would win the rubber match?
Any advantage to playing at Amrita’s home field would soon be nullified as dread spread throughout the colony that the Lanka Legend would be a scratch for their match. An injury suffered in last week’s match against Wuji helped explain why his presence was virtually non-existent that match.
Solis, Makara 8, 2077, m249
Titans #8 Readale Nash scores his 8th of the season as San Olympus takes the match at Amrita.
In their Week 3 match, the Immortals legend, Uday Lanka was born, scoring a phenomenal 4 goals to embarrass the Titans.
In their Week 10 rematch, it was the Titans’ Readale Nash (the Cash) who provided redemption with two goals to lead the team to victory.
In Week 17, who would win the rubber match?
Any advantage to playing at Amrita’s home field would soon be nullified as dread spread throughout the colony that the Lanka Legend would be a scratch for their match. An injury suffered in last week’s match against Wuji helped explain why his presence was virtually non-existent that match.
“I tried to play through it but I just couldn’t get anything going that match”, said Lanka. “The next day, I couldn’t even get up so I knew something was up.”
And with Lanka absent, the Titans could smell blood early.
At the 19th minute, the Titan’s Readale Nash glided past defender Tanigawa Kata and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Chamunda Badal into the bottom-right corner to open up the scoring.
The Immortals responded five minutes later as midfielder Ronald Donovan passed over to teammate Tulaiha Azizi to tap in a shot past a baffled Icilio De Sisto for the equalizer.
But De Sisto would get his revenge.
At the 31st minute, as the Titans took a corner from the Immortals area, the Titans goalkeeper suddenly left his own box and raced forward!
As the Immortals and Titans players bounced the ball around, De Sisto was able to get to the loose ball, and with his back to the goal, launched himself into the air to curl a spectacular shot into the top corner over a stunned and confused Immortals team for the eventual winner!
“I’ve never seen a play like that in my life,” said Immortals manager Andam Mirza. “Hats off to them for their innovation. That took a lot of balls to pull off.”
“I was at full charge on boosts”, said De Sisto, “Raenia (Ware) and Paul (Salgado) felt we needed to try something different with our offence; the opportunity presented itself today. I felt like I was channeling a bit of Barnato.”
“If Lanka was playing, we would have beaten the Titans just like we did in Week 3” said outspoken Immortals owner Vijya Pandey. “In yesterday’s match, I saw the Wuji mug Dong Ji players all game just like they abused Lanka last week. The league should step in and take action”.
For the Titans, this was a strong response to their loss against the Dynamos last week. Some critics claim the Titans have peaked and will be in decline into the playoffs.
“Pandey and critics can say what they like”, said Ware. “We play one game at a time and this round, we won.”
Pride and Prejudice
National Pride or National Prejudice?
Was that the prize on the table as the Battle of the Bottom Feeders collided?
In a match devoid of much meaning in the standings, the Tiangong Wuji managed to put some distance between themselves and Huacheng Dong Ji with a 1 – 0 victory.
Dong Ji Forward #22 Zhou Geng after the emotionally charged home defeat. Geng has been scoreless in 17 games.
National Pride or National Prejudice?
Was that the prize on the table as the Battle of the Bottom Feeders collided?
In a match devoid of much meaning in the standings, the Tiangong Wuji managed to put some distance between themselves and Huacheng Dong Ji with a 1 – 0 victory.
With the win, Wuji moved to 6 and 11 for the season while Dong Ji continued their race to the bottom with a 4 and 13 record.
Wuji’s youth movement presented a glimpse of hope for the future.
A lofted pass from 19 year Khloe Mckay bounced across the edge of the area to 19 year old Achille Botrel, who struck it in the air, hitting across it with her right foot and smashing it into the far side of the goal beyond a helpless Dong Ji Goalkeeper Su Xue, at the 77th minute for the game winner.
However, the key highlights of the match, beyond the one goal generated, was the excessive amount of rough play and general ill will displayed against each other.
Reckless sliding tackles, gratuitous contact, and several heated exchanges generated two fouls each for both teams; 3 substitutions per team including one injury for Dong Ji who had to be carried off the field, and an equipment failure for a Wuji player’s oxygen tank.
After the match, Dong Ji Captain Lian was quick to point the finger at Wuji, “They should be ashamed for instigating so much careless activity. People’s livelihoods were endangered. The league should review this match and hand out suspensions or fines to prevent them from doing this again.”
Wuji Captain Stanislas Hachette replied, “Those guys aren’t innocent by any means. Look, we’ve both had horrible seasons so I think both teams were guilty of taking out some frustration on each other. ”
Hopefully both teams got some frustration out of their system because next week will likely bring more pain as Dong Ji faces the league leading Titans while Wuji battle the 2nd place Comets.
Rebirth of Cool
For most of the season, Europa United has been a one note samba...
Yet with their win over the formidable Al’amal SC, could this be the Rebirth of Cool for United as they discovered a new range of flexibility in their play which will help them soar to new levels?
Saturni, Makara 7, 2077, m249
Above: United players, #8 Pernet, #75 Fuchs, and #7 Dennis revel in their overtime win against Al'amal SC.
For most of the season, Europa United has been a one note samba. Albeit it can be quite catchy at times, their strong defensive note has for the most part lacked long term range producing more lows than highs.
Yet with their win over the formidable Al’amal SC, could this be the Rebirth of Cool for United as they discovered a new range of flexibility in their play which will help them soar to new levels?
“I don’t know if we are cool”, replied United Captain Lennard Fuchs. “However, to use your analogy, if this win helps us get in sync and play more harmoniously in future, I’m on board”.
And this was a win United needed to help comfort their suffering fan base and validate their recent moves in adding Darkeem Dennis and shifting Goal Keeper Yvonne Barnato to a forward position.
United’s defensive strength continued to excel as defender Mlaska Lovric got the scoring started with a goal at the 2 minute mark.
Lovric picked up the ball in the midfield, and played through Al’amal’s Lana Gonzalez and then rounded Birwant Rhar with ease before boosting a shot to the top corner over a leaping Ahmed al-Pour.
While tight is the United defence, even they could not fully contain the high powered Al’amal offence – tied for the league lead in Goals scored with 3 of their players in the Top 5 for Individual Goals scored.
At the 58th minute, Hamad Fayad played a volley off his chest and bicycle kicked it over United Goalkeeper Kevin Sulzberger to tie up the game. For Fayad, it was his 5th goal of the season.
While both teams had scoring chances from Darkeem Dennis and Yvonne Barnato on the United side and from Baddour, Farra, and Fayad on the Al’amal side, the game remained tied at the end of regulation time.
Penalty Kicks is where United’s new additions made a lasting impact. United captured 3 penalty shot goals from Darkeem Dennis, Yvonne Barnato and Laura Pernet.
Sulzberger, who was heavily criticized after his debut match last week against the Comets, earned his redemption this week with a brilliant performance in overtime, shutting down Al’amal’s high powered trio of Baddour, Farra, and Fayad and allowing zero penalty shot goals overall.
PKOT United 3 - 0 Al'amal
For United, the victory provided a slight degree of respite from what has been a disappointing season to date. Club Manager Matthäus Reinmann was slightly more optimistic of the victory’s impact.
“Hopefully this is the start of a new direction for us with all our new pieces gelling at the right time to build momentum for the playoff run,” said Reinmann. “I’m positive, better days are ahead”.
Reinmann’s words will be put to the test as United hosts the Amrita Immortals next week.