Mantis CF put in a professional if unspectacular performance to bring Fire & Flames' 2 game winning streak to halt at the MMU Field on Monday. It was a disciplined display from the young side ravaged by international call-ups and a midterm exam to two of their star players, Jimi Alonsohai and Ron Yusof.
It was Lords Kechik's first game back in charge after a one-semester hiatus due to his marriage (and subsequent honeymoon) to WAG NoRule Hazwaniey and the challenge could not have been greater as his side came up against what many feel to be the most robust team plying their trade in the MMU Premier League.
Mantis will no doubt be the happier of the two sides after lapping up extended periods of pressure from their more illustrious and experienced opponents, although the result leaves them with only two points from their first two games.
Mantis started the better of the two sides and almost went in front when an attack from the right resulted in Pali Robson testing the F&F keeper after an inviting cross from Gael Khalifa, but his weak shot was easily saved. Then it was Antonio Awee's turn to scare the F&F faithful when he managed to break free from former Mantis summer target Farouk Hassan and head the ball towards goal after a fumble from the opponent's keeper. The ball bounced twice off the crossbar before sailing out for a goal-kick.
F&F finally started to get into the game after the introduction of their midfield hard-man Nadom Onuoha and won a few corners to put the pressure on Ezree Togel and his defense. F&F captain Zul Supandi found himself unmarked in the box with only the keeper to beat on one occasion, but dragged his left-foot shot wide to the relief of Waru, who had failed to stay tight to his man. Even the return of Mantis captain Gabriel Abe could not see the side take control of the game for a sustained period of time. One of the F&F's corner kicks was met by their new central defender, Acap Brown, who headed strongly but straight at Zhafri Barthez, the Mantis keeper, who pulled off a world class save (with his forehead).
Things started to get ugly when F&F's giant defender Ferdinadeem slid into Zhafri, going for a 50-50 ball. While most players kept their cool, preferring to get on with the game, pint-sized F&F left winger Zul K took offense with the Mantis fans' calls for Ferdinadeem to be sent off. He would later be involved in a number of incidents which did nothing for the fair-play spirit of the game.
The halftime whistle was greeted with relief by Kechik and his staff, as his side were still level against the league favorites. At the interval midfield enforcer Stevie Lan stressed the importance of possession of the football to the other players while the rest of the side caught their breath after spending most of the half chasing the F&F superstars. The manager decided to bring on Syamilouda in place of Ron Yusof for the start of the second half, who had suffered a knock and also a midterm exam later that evening.
The second half begun with both teams trying to get a goal, and although F&F enjoyed far greater possession, clear cut chances were few and far in between. Midway through the half, Stevie Lan was surrounded by three F&F players, including Nadom and Zul K, and the ref should have definitely whistled for a foul as they proceeded to kick him all over the place. When the ref finally did blow for a foul, Lan lashed out under pressure and kicked the ball straight at Nadom, who was on the ground. Already on a booking from the first period, Lan was in danger of being sent off, but fortunately the ref saw common sense and decided to give him one final warning. That was to be Lan's last contribution of the game, as Kechik decided not to risk going a man down, and sent on Lan Z (no family relation to Stevie Lan) in his place. Pali Robson was also sacrificed for fresh legs in the shape of Carlton Kit.
The new-look midfield needed time to settle and in the process F&F won a number of free kicks on the halfway line, all dealt with comfortably by the defense, for whom Marcos Acied was having the game of his life restricting F&F's Zul Supandi's contribution to a minimum. On the few occasions F&F did manage to get the ball over the defensive line, Zhafri was quick off his line to smother the danger. With not much time remaining, another ball over the top from the F&F midfield found their speedy imported striker, who pounced on Zhafri's hesitation and indecision to slot the ball into an empty net. 1-0 to the favorites, and all hope seemed lost for this young Mantis side whose heads dropped after defending resolutely for so long only to be breached by a schoolboy error in defense. Ammar Sissoko, who had been spectacular up until that point, started to feel his shoulders drop and it showed as he walked backed to the center circle.
Two semesters ago, Mantis had lost the final to a fortuitous goal against the same opponents and their players could be forgiven for thinking history would be repeating itself again. But time heals wounds, and long, hard training sessions in the pouring rain on the bumpy training ground behind the tennis courts beside the MMU stadium and the small lake finally paid off.
It was Mantis' turn to start winning free-kicks on the halfway line, and Syamilouda showed why he is so highly-rated by the Mantis team after delivering some pinpoint long balls to Antonio Awee on the left wing. After a number of failed attempts on goal, another free-kick on the halfway line saw commanding center-back Ezree Togel make his way up to the F&F box to try put pressure on their defense with his height (all our other forwards are short). Syamilouda put in another tremendous ball into the penalty box, which was fumbled by the F&F keeper under pressure from Gael Khalifa (who isn't tall by any means), and the ball flew up into the air. The F&F defense was no where to be seen, having failed at their attempt to play offside, and Ezree was left all alone to magnificently head the ball backwards into the net to the delight of all Mantis players and fans. Yes, they celebrated like it was the winning goal, because it sure as hell felt like it. 1-1, time running out, and everything to play for. This Mantis side were destined not to lose to F&F this time.
Kechik then threw on Bard Djemba-Djemba for Khalifa in an attempt to shake things up (and to time-waste). While the Mantis team were fired-up after the equalizer, F&F heads started to drop. After Syamilouda had sneakily taken a free-kick after the ref had told him to wait, the F&F keeper lost it and from all the away across the field started to shout obscenities at the Mantis super-sub. He was then told to shut up by none other than his own teammate, Ferdinadeem. Another such incident occurred when Zul K slid in studs up on Mantis goal-scorer Ezree Togel, which left the defender clutching his foot in pain. Former F&F captain Aie was overheard scolding his player for "trying to break someone's foot". The goal affected them, and it showed when one of their players childishly shouted "It's okay, they're (Mantis) are the bottom of the table" as Syamilouda again took his time to take a free-kick. Real mature stuff.
When the final whistle blew, Mantis were definitely the more happier of the sides, having come from behind against the league leaders. It was a result to savor for the young team, who had found out that star midfielder Jimi Alonsohai wouldn't make it back in time for the game only hours before kick-off. Although there were a number of forgettable incidents, such as the robust tackles and shoving, at the end all the players found it in themselves to shake the hands of their battle-weary opponents and some of the veteran F&F players even made it over to the Mantis bench to congratulate the Mantis staff (John Terry style). Kudos to them.
Two games, two points, and a mountain to climb for CF Mantis in their quest to climb the league ladder. Second place is a realistic target, especially if key players like Alonsohai decide to return to the side. With three games left, there's still all to play for.
