FC Scandinavia cursed against Club 33?

MELITA GROUNDS: FC SCANDINAVIA VS. CLUB 33 0-1

FSC registered the first loss of their league campaign against second place Club 33 and after the end of the first round they are now just one point ahead of their opponents.

By Neville Farrugia / All-In Translations

After having lost the Christmas Cup final against Club 33, FSC wanted to come back to winning ways and increase their advantage at the top of the table. However, Club 33 came out with a clever 4-5-1 formation, crowding the midfield and operating with swift counter attacks.

Tight start

FCS had most of the possession in the initial stages of the games but failed to create clear opportunities. On the other hand, Club 33 took advantage of the spaces left by the FSC midfielders and were dangerous on a couple of occasions with long range efforts that were easily saved by Joelsson.

On the 16th minute there was a good solo run by Deeks on the right, but after going past two defenders his shot lacked power and was saved by the opponents’ keeper. Two minutes later, veteran Alex Busuttil received the ball in the area but his shot from a tight angle was parried by Joelsson.

Beautiful goal

Just before the half time whistle, FCS conceded what had to be the only goal of the game. A corner from the left was fisted away by Joelsson but the ball fell kindly to Alex Busuttil, whose cracking effort from outside the area gave no chance to Joelsson.

In the second half, FSC pushed more men up front in order to grab an equaliser but inevitably they left more spaces at the back. In fact, on the 10th minute, Busuttil sent Satariano through on goal but his shot went a whisker out of goal. Three minutes later, Dedering collected a ball outside the area but his shot went over the bar.

Johansson close in the end

On the 58th minute, Club 33 were again dangerous after a corner from the right was met in the air by Calleja but his header went wide. Johansson had his only chance just before the final whistle when he dribbled a couple of defenders but missed the target.

Speaking with FCS captain Johan Nyberg after the game and suggesting that Club 33 were better in midfield he stated that they “lost the game there (in midfield) and that the strikers were not given quality passes in order to create chances”. He also added that he is really looking forward to the next game and that the team will surely do better especially with the return of some of the missing players.

League final in March?

FCS has now won all their matches more or less comfortably, with the exception of two painful losses against Club 33. It will take some time before we will find out if this is a curse or if Club 33 is simply a better team. The next game between FCS and Club 33 is played on March 28th. Only one match remains in the GIDA League after that, so it is likely that we will witness a league final then.

"They do not have any obvious weaknesses, and they have a solid midfield and a talented striker. But we are a better team", assures FCS goalie Niklas Joelsson.