Match Review: Argentina FC vs Loko

Friendly
Sunday 24 Jan
Argentina FC 2 vs Loko 6

ARGENTINA FC GET TANGOED

With one player crying off on the morning of the game and the other one simply not turning up, it looked like Loko were in for a torrid time against the Argentina outfit. Thankfully, Marcel managed to get a friend to step in at the eleventh hour, thus ensuring that we would be able to field a -bare- 11.  

As it turns out, as soon as the game got underway, it became apparent that there wasn’t much to fret about. Argentina FC were wearing the famous white and blue stripes but the comparison ended there as we easily got the game under control from the word go.

On 7 minutes, newcomer Gomes instinctively unleashed a long ball from the centre circle over the Argentina defenders heads. The ball bounced on the edge of the box and speedy ADIL collected it, shook off his defender and slotted the ball to the left of the keeper and into the net.

Argentina FC 0 vs Loko 1

5 minutes later, Kevin – who was playing in his favourite attacking position on the wing - got taken out in the Argentina box as he was trying to dribble past their right back. Penalty. ADIL stepped forward and placed his spot-kick assuredly to the left of the keeper again.

Argentina FC 0 vs Loko 2

Despite the bumpy pitch and the nail-biting cold, Loko were having a (mid)field day, playing in unison - in particular Lawrence, who was chasing every ball and Portuguese wizard Gomes who was imperial, flicking balls, twisting and turning and generally driving Argentina FC players bonkers. Up front Adil was playing freely and constantly causing panic in their defence.

FELIPE definitely put the game out of reach of the white and blue striped players when he scored a screamer from the right end side of the box over the keeper and in off the back post.

Argentina FC 0 vs Loko 3

Just before half time, it was LAWRENCE’s turn to score when he nicked the ball off a defender in their box and scored into the bottom right corner.

Half time: Argentina FC 0 vs Loko 4

It was much the same game in the second half and Loko scored yet another goal when ADIL laid the ball on for DAVE to score from a tight angle from 6 yards out on the right hand side of their box and in off the near post.

Argentina FC 0 vs Loko 5

On 61 minutes, Felipe went on a solo run into the Argentina defence twisting and turning around 3 defenders but he eventually passed on to Adil who was coming in from the right hand side and the Catalan master casually slotted the ball into the middle of the goal and into the net from 5 yards out.

Argentina FC 0 vs Loko 6

Then followed an unnecessary incident where Kevin, who was defending a rare, dangerous Argentina FC cross, punched it away with both fists . He then had a go at their big centre forward claiming that he’d stepped on his toes. Some Argie Bargie ensued (excuse the pun) resulting in Kevin threatening to slit the big man’s throat and the big man squaring up to Kevin.

The no-nonsense – and excellent – ref sent the Argentinian off but as it was a friendly (or supposed to be one) he offered to bring him back on, which Loko graciously agreed to. However, the end result was a penalty, which their best player converted just under the cross bar.

Argentina FC 1 vs Loko 6

As the game drew to a close, Loko relaxed a bit too much and their attacking midfielder caught our  whole defence napping as he pounced on a cross from the left and scored at the near post.

Final score: Argentina FC 2 vs Loko 6

Club Secretary Ivan said: “This is likely to be the least challenging game we’ll get to play this season but it looks like everybody enjoyed themselves. It’s a shame that only half of the regulars turned up today as it would have offered them a good run-out before next week’s big cup semi-final”.

M.O.M: this week the MOM award goes to two players: ADIL, on account of his hat-trick and GOMES, who was superb. Special mentions to Lawrence and Felipe.

Team line-up: John – Costa, Ismail, Ivan, Marcel – Gomes, Lawrence, Felipe, Kevin, Dave K - Adil