Ming the Merciless

In the comic strip “Flash Gordon”, Ming the Merciless is a ruthless tyrant who rules the planet Mongo.

On Saturday Purple Monkeys Banters discovered that SFC have Casteels Tzu Ming; a ruthless striker that rules the St. Wilfrid’s Sports Complex.

Going in to the game Purple Monkeys had high hopes that they could cause an upset, and potentially be the first team to defeat SFC this season.

Instead they left well beaten, after goals from Rob Benson, Alvin Bierley, and that man Tzu Ming effectively ended any hopes the men in purple had of winning the Equatorial League.

SFC started the match as hot as the playing surface. Kicking off once again under a sweltering sun at 1pm, birthday boy Rob Benson, was certainly in the mood for gifts.

The young Englishman was having a party all on his own on the left wing, as he frequently skipped past his opposite man and caused all manner of problems for PMBFC’s defence.

Eventually after 15 minutes, he broke clear once more, before steadying himself to rifle a shot in to the top of the net with exquisite power. 1-0 SFC.

Having taken the lead SFC continued to press on for a second. The twin pairing of Tzu Ming and Sim was working well upfront, and the two Singaporeans created numerous openings. Despite this the score line remained the same at half time.

As half time Mo Yasin chose to rest some tired legs, and selected even more attacking options from his armoury,as SFC again pushed for a second goal, to kill off the game.

The introductions of SFC’s Japanese new boy, Atsushi Otsuka, immediately saw plenty of activity down the left wing. Meanwhile on the right, having thought he’d been dealt a reprieve with Benson’s departure, the Purple Monkeys’ left back then had to contend with the introduction of Guang’s searing pace. The two wide men were ably supported by Alvin Bierley who was working hard, as always, alongside the evergreen Owen Monaghan.

At the back, Saatwik Kaul and Hayden Ng continued to snuff out any attacking threats from the Monkeys, whilst debutant Keeper Daniel Lightfoot calmly mopped up at the back alongside the experienced stalwarts, Huang and Lane.

Finally SFC’s hardwork was rewarded, when the most industrious player on the pitch, Alvin Bierley deservedly bagged himself a goal.

After some good work at the back by Kaul, the ball was played forwards to Matt Zatto who found his compatriot Bierley in space.

The sprightlier of the two Americans, then proceeded to lob the ball expertly over the stranded keeper all without breaking stride. The ball bounced once, before nestling in the bank of the Purple Monkeys net. SFC 2 PMBFC 0.

This second goal seemingly brought PMBFC back to life as they finally found their passing range to begin a fightback. As the Monkeys pressed forwards, a fortunate bounce of the ball left their striker in on goal and he guided the ball neatly past Lightfoot. SFC 2 PMBFC 1.

Stung in to action, Tzu Ming then decided to take matters in to his own hands, as he expertly scored his second goal in as many games. The Singaporean scuppering any lingering hopes PMBFC may have had of silverware for the season.

Final score SFC 3 Purple Monkeys Banters 1.

A fair result in the end, with Singapore FC having controlled large parts of the game. The Sashmen’s new talisman, Tzu Ming, stole the headlines, but the quiet efficiency and desire to win every ball and challenge from Bierley was what won the game for SFC.

With four games remaining SFC now find themselves one step closer to the pinnacle.

SFC Man of the Match: Alvin Bierley

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