Zamron: We have to keep going strong
Sulley McPanstil
FMFC Correspondent

The No. 7 scored his 2nd goal in two matches in the recent match against
Luchaz-Loccos FC. Fans would be hoping that the attacking midfielder, who
can play upfront as well, will keep up this form as the Safra League
welcomes the new year.

"Its always great to score goals and I do what I can. Honestly, I get the
same buzz if I make an assist. I enjoy setting up goals as much as scoring
them. Maybe even more so."

Zamron, who was recently a victim of vehicle theft, did not let his
personal problems affect his performance on the pitch. When asked about the
incident, he replied, "What's done is done. I just hope that this incident
would serve as a reminder to the fans to stay alert. It will not affect me
on the pitch, thats for sure. The Police has assured me that they will do
what they can so we'll see what happens."

After their recent win, FMFC is on a 5 match winning streak. The team is
top of the table and with the return of their star playmaker Alam early
next year, the team looks in good stead. However, Zamron reminds the fans
not to get carried away as the manager has told the players to take it one
game at a time.

"We have got to keep this form going. But football is funny. You win a few
matches and you will feel invincible but if you lose the next one, it might
be a blow to your spirit. We must not let that happen to us. The gaffer has
told us to take it a game at a time and thats the mentality the team
adopts. We have the best fans in the world, thats for sure. And with them
behind us, anything is possible."

For Mother, For Child.

Shamy: I gave in to temptation

In the recent match between FMFC and Luchaz-Loccos FC, FMFC's No. 1 Sham
suffered calf pulls in the second half and had to be substituted. Many were
saying that he was not fit enough to start in the first place. However,
being the honest player that he is, Sham refused to rest the blame to on
the management. Holding a press conference at the club's training ground
this morning, Sham was barraged with concerned questions from the
reporters. When asked if he was able to start the next match, Sham smiled
and nodded his head.

"I felt a pull in my left leg and I tried to continue after that. It was
weird as I felt that I had done my stretches correctly and before the start
of the second half, I was fine. I wasn't really struggling but when I took
the goalkick and my right calf gave in, I knew I was done. I assured the
gaffer that I was fit to start and as you all know, us players never want
to miss a game. I felt I let the team down and I would like to apologise
for that. I did not prepare for the game and I even had half a tub of
Haagen Daz Cookies and Cream just before the match. I mean, you don't say
no to Haagen Daz C&C. And I say this without them paying me."

Club representatives said that disciplinary action might be taken against
the No. 1 and when told about this, he had this to say.

"I accept whatever decision the club makes. It was my mistake and I will
not do it again. Be assured that the next match, I will have the missus
remind me to take in saltwater and do my necessary stretching."

Sham's substitution might be a blessing in disguise as the FMFC fans got to
see Abu, the league's best utility player, in action as a keeper. Its good
to know that the manager has other options in goal. - Sports Weekly

FMFC 1 - 0 Luchaz-Loccos FC

Malek Jabeer
Highly-biased FMFC Correspondent

You'd think with a scoreline like that, it was a match to be missed. In
truth, the match between FMFC and Luchas-Loccos FC, a team touted to win
the SAFRA League, provided high entertaintment value for the throngs of
fans that came to watch. Luchaz went loccos (excuse the corniness) from the
start, rampaging the FMFC defence with attack after attack. As Kiki and Zam
got the game on the way, the Luchaz players showed their tactical
discipline, closing down every FMFC player who had the ball. It looked to
be a horrid evening for FMFC's defence but just as expected, the defence
had an excellent game. Marshalled by Elfi, the defence held firm, breaking
down wave after wave of attacks by Luchaz players. Bul, the influential
captain, pulled his weight and destroyed potential built ups by the other
team. Azhar, the newly signed right back of FMFC, was especially
phenomenal. He was given the task to keep the number 22 Luchaz winger quiet
and he went about it with the efficiency of an assassin. There was no way
their number 22 was going to get pass Azhar, who made him look mediocre.
Such was the excellence of FMFC's defence, that it was no surprise that the
first real chance of the game was from a freekick taken by Elfi. As the
opposition keeper was commanding his defence, Elfi lined up for a cross but
instead, spotting the keeper off his line, took a direct shot at goal from
all 40 yards. Everyone thought it was going in, even the opposition keeper
gave up and fell helplessly to the floor. However, instead of the finding
the net, the ball bounced off the upright. It would've been THE goal of the
season. It was a miss, but a miss which gave the FMFC players the belief
that they could win it.

With that belief, the game became end to end stuff. LLFC had a disallowed
goal. Earning a freekick at the edge of the box, the number 12 curled the
ball into the net only for the referee to blow the whistle as an opposition
player stood infront of Sham, blocking his line of sight. However, there
was no excuse for the wall to have allowed the ball through. Luckily, the
mistake was not punished. Towards the end of the first half, FMFC earned a
corner which Lan took. Elfi found himself totally unmarked and leaped for
the ball. The opposition keeper got a weak hand to it and the ball bounced
generously to Zamron. With thanks in his feet, he chipped the ball above
the defence and any hope of saving it. Goal. Brimming with confidence, FMFC
ended the half with a high. With a defence splitting pass, Lan found Zul
with acres of space, acres which he duely exploited with his blistering
pace. (Read that again, its like Dr Seuss.) With the defence unable to keep
up, he found himself one on one with the opposition keeper, who made
himself big and stopped the onslaught from Zul. However, minutes later, Zul
had another chance. Running from the defence, he took the ball all the way
before attempting a cheeky chip above the keeper. It was a good attempt,
but no goal. Lan was substituted due to a misunderstanding with
player-manager-captain, Bul. Thinking Lan was suffering from an injury, Bul
brought in Haziq in place of him. Lan's body language while walking towards
the touchline showed exactly what he thought of the move.

During the second half, LLFC was out to make amends. They showed their
winning mentality as they kept hounding the defence to make mistakes. Elfi
found himself making last ditch tackles, flying through the air to block a
free kick and intercepting pass after pass. After a commanding first half,
Sham looked poised to end the game with a clean sheet. However, from the
first goal kick of the second half, you could see he was suffering from
extreme discomfort. He went down twice before being substituted after
complaining of pulls in both legs. Abu, previously substituted in as an
outfield player, swapped jerseys with Sham and took his place. It was a
long time since he played as a keeper, but being the utitlity player that
he is, he deputied outstandlingly. Pointless passes, rough tackles, two
yellow cards and a red card showed LLFC's growing frustrations as the game
drew to a close. The players on the sidelines were asking the 2nd official
for the time and they counted down eagerly as LLFC orchestrated attack
after attack. By now, the strain was showing in FMFC's defence but they
still managed to hold firm. The final whistle finally came and the fans
rejoiced as FMFC recorded their 5th straight win. They are now top of the
table and the fans would be hoping come April, the trophy would be theirs.

Final Score: FMFC 1 - 0 Luchaz-Loccos FC