Smooth Scandinavian sailing

MALTA (MELITA GROUND):

FC SCANDINAVIA (FCS) 4-0 MEMORIES

Unstoppable FCS secured a vital win over last year league champions and this years league rivals Memories. FCS are now 3 points ahead on top of what seems more and more to be an unchallenged league campaign.

By Neville Farrugia / All-In Translations

The Sky Blues produced another impressive display and scored their fifth consecutive win to keep their 100% record. As expected, the game was very balanced in the initial stages with both teams having to resolve to strong tackles to stop play and to avoid their opponents from creating dangerous situations.

However, when considering the importance of the game, both teams were not afraid to take risks in order to score and thus take an early advantage over their opponents.

Good start for Memories
Memories had an early chance into the game when a cross from left back Camilleri was headed over the bar by the bar by Scicluna. A couple of minutes later Memories went close again when a long range effort by Tabone was brilliantly saved by Joelsson.

FCS had their first clear opportunity on 14 minutes when a poor goal kick was collected by Hannes Wåhlin who cleverly supplied Johansson with an inviting ball, but his shot was parried by the opponents’ keeper. On the 24th minute, Memories were awarded a free -kick from a dangerous position but Camilleri’s curling shot just missed the post by a few inches.

Johansson # 1
Five minutes before half time, FCS were awarded a free-kick on the far right after a late challenge on Deeks. Delsinger’s set piece was flicked over by Wåhlin and the ball fell kindly to LARS JOHANSSON who slotted home from close range.

Memories were clearly shocked and 2 minutes later Johansson did well to steal the ball from the opponents’ centre back but his shot was saved by the keeper.

Successful tactical move
The Sky Blues decided to do some tactical changes at the start of the second half where an anonymous Delsinger was moved into midfield in order to take more part into the build up of the game and Deeks was moved up front.

This move proved crucial and infact the first chance of the second half feel to Deeks but his shot went wide off the post. On the 10th minute Johansson was sent through on goal by Hertz but for the second time in the match he was again hypnotized by the opponents’ keeper.

Memories pushing hard
At this point in time, the tension was high on the pitch with Memories trying to push for an equalizer while FCS trying to kill off the match on the counter attack. FCS took full advantage of the spaces left in the back when on the 18th CLAES HANSEN was sent through on goal by Deeks and managed to get a touch on the ball before the keeper to make it 2-0.

Johansson # 2
Delsinger’s curling shot from the left went just wide on the 22nd minute and a minute later Hansen’s defence splitting pass was squandered by Deeks. The Sky Blues made the result beyond doubt on the half hour when Hannes Wåhlin received the ball on the half way mark, went past two payers and served the ball to LARS JOHANSSON who had the easy task to put the ball in.

Just before the final whistle, Johansson gave an excellent through ball to SEBASTIAN DELSINGER who wisely beat the offside trap and made it 4-0.

Reactions
FCS captain Johan Nyberg highlighted the impressive defensive performance.
"They did not have any real chances", he commented.

FCS’s keeper Niklas Joelsson is looking forward to meet Memories again in the Quarter Final of the Christmas Cup on November 29th.
“It was an impressive victory. They were pushing for an equalizer up to ten minutes into the second half but we were able to give them a final blow by scoring that second goal. Now we are looking forward to the cup tie in two weeks", he said.