RMM 0 Tango FC 1

RMMs freescoring wins in the Maniam's League finally came to an abrupt end in this week's hard fought fixture against one of RMMs hoodoo teams, Tango FC.

It's been pointed out on recent reports that RMM defence lacked paced and this week's opponents finally managed to capitalize on it. Exploiting this weakness to the max, Tango FCs long ball and direct play through the middle caused all sorts of problems for the creaking RMM defence all afternoon with Shark having one of his busiest afternoons.

The first half was probably just shaded by Tango FC with but somehow, RMM managed to finished the half level. Tango FC created more chances and were unlucky to go ahead when their striker found himself all alone with Shark in the RMM penalty box. The giant RMM keeper somehow managed to pull off a miracle save on that occasion with his outstrecthed right leg.

The chance of the half however fell to Mat Burit who failed to convert a penalty awarded to RMM for a deliberate handball by a Tango FC defender in a goalmouth melee. The chrome domed hitman somehow hit the bar with his shot from 12 yards. Considering that the Tango FC keeper was almost 5 feet tall, it was an awful miss.

Other than that, it was Shark that was the busier of the 2 keepers.

The second half was no better for RMM as the pattern of long, direct balls into the RMM box continued. With the introduction of their all battling, all running, African All Star, Tango FC tightened their grip on the game and even started to vary their play by playing the ball on the ground right through the RMM defence with clever runs and through passes.

Such was the movement of some of the Tango FCs players that RMMs overworked defence had no answer and the engine room provided little cover as well. It did not help RMMs cause that most of the players looked well off form as well.

The breakthrough finally came when Zack was well beaten by a Tango FC striker on the left. The striker's initial shot was parried well by Shark but unfortunately for RMM, the rebound hit an on-rushing Tango FC player and ended up in the back of RMMs net.

RMM players tried gamely to equalise but in the end, were lucky not to conceed further goals. On one occasion, the ever dependable Speedy had to make a goal line clearance after Shark was beaten to another one-on-one situation.

Whilst RMM were far from pleased by the result, it has to be said that it was a fair reflection of the game.

For his busy afternoon's work. Shark was named Man Of The Match and rewarded with a bloodied nose.

It's also interesting to note that whilst some of the best teams in the world are built from back to front based on a strong foundation of a rock solid backline, RMMs blueprint is straight out of Kevin Keggle's Book Of Attacking Football, meaning RMM builds from the top down. This explains why almost all new players of unknown quality and some of the more suspect players in the team are regularly played at the back. It may also explain why the 2 shortest players are also the 1st and 2nd choice keepers.

It doesn't always guarantee winning football, but it does make great entertainment!