RMM1 Banana Boat 3

The running theme every week seems to be RMMs paper thin squad as yet again, RMM only managed to gather 11 players for the game and this included the much awaited return of the now rotund Mat Burit. A feared striker in his heydays, Mat Burit had together with Shark formed a deadly partnership in the mould of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke in their prime. But not even the fastest strikers can outrun father time and both have now put on more weight and tattoos.

On the opposite end, their opponents, Banana Boat (aptly named after the kit colors) had a big squad of players and looked younger as well. All this did not bode well for RMM although RMM tried staying positive, they were on the backfoot not long after the start.

Shark was called in to make an early save and he could only parry the ball to an onrushing Banana Boat striker. The giant keeper then tried to recover the ball from the striker but in vain. Banana Boater cleverly sidefooted past the prone keeper before sliding the ball towards goal. Only a last ditch sliding recovery from Guvnor stopped RMM from going a goal down.

RMM never managed to get into rhythm as the Banana Boaters controlled the game from the middle of the park, comfortably playing the ball back and around their own goal areas when needed. Although Mat Burit showed some flashes of his old self, his added weight plus star man Batigol’s famous girth did nothing for RMMs forward line mobility.

At the back, Thong was doing his best to provide comic relief to the under siege RMM team by giving away a series of foul throws.

RMM were then inundated by a deluge of corners and found themselves a goal down as a result. Speedy had already cleared from the touchline whilst guarding the near post before Foo conceeded the goal on the far post from the subsequent corner. A Banana Boater lost his markers before powerfully heading downwards towards goal. Unfortunately for Foo, the ball hit his leg before hitting the roof of the net.

RMM spent the rest of the half chasing shadows and hoping to wind down the clock.

The 15 minutes break did RMM a world of good as the players caught a second wind. With the re-assuring presence of Speedy now in goal, RMM started to launch attacks direct from goal with Speedy’s fast, direct and pin point drop goal kicks. 1 of these launches from goal the resulted in RMMs equaliser. Such was the speed and accuracy of Speedy’s laser guiding launch, it evaded every Banana Boater from the middle of the park and it’s entire backline as well. Star man Batigol then displayed his world famous burst of speed to outpace the Banana Boat defence who were all at sea before easily slotting home.

1-1 and everyone thought it was game on. Unfortunately for RMMs small and ageing squad, their stamina had run out by
this stupendous effort and they were back chasing shadows again.

Guvnor and Iceman were gamely trying to close down the ever mobile Banana Boat playmakers and even the stranded Shark dropped down to the middle part of the field to try and get some possession. Both he and Mat Burit showed some glimpses of the understanding but this was just not their day.

RMM then went behind again for the second time in the game. Banana Boat started a run down the right and when their winger crossed to the near post, skinny Banana Boater was there to turn the cross in. In what must have been inspired by Peter Schmeichel’s famous ‘Starfish’ stance, Speedy did his own version called the ‘Reverse Starfish’ where he rushed out to confront the striker only to turn his back on the onrushing Banana Boater at the last minute. It was rumoured that he wanted to show his jersey number and name to the opponent to scare him off. Whatever it was he was trying to do, it didn’t work as the striker easily scored.

By then, RMM were thoroughly deflated but carried on gamely to search for the 2nd equaliser. Given their fitness levels, it left gaps at the back for the Banana Boaters to exploit. And exploit it they did as they manage a 3rd goal which looked suspiciously offside.

However, there was no argument on the final result was the small and unfit RMM squad was well beaten.

Given the situation, questions will be asked of where the previously large squad went and a recruitment drive may well be needed to bolster the squad.