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Freeflow claimed 3 points of the six required to win the title with an inconsistent performance to go top of the league for the first time this season by one point.
Arjun and Harj returned to the team after the missing the crucial win away to Warriors. Freeflow as ever controlled the game on a windy day. The opponent's Elim Utd who are the top scores in the league persisted with the long ball as they hoped to steal second spot in the league.
Freeflow dominated the ball but without any conviction and therefore chances were lacking. But Kamel opened the scoring after good link up play by Raj and Jag on the right, a feature of Freeflow's play this season. When Jag eventually squared the ball for Kamel, he controlled and let fly to hit a dipping shot into the roof of the net 1:0. This was only Kamel's third goal of the season a small return for someone with such lovely shooting ability.
Freeflow were told in training and before the game to guard against complacency as this was the one possible thing that could deny them required the 3 points. It seemed after going 1:0 up they were focused on completing the job and Ahmed quite superbly added the second goal. Again after good work on the right by Raj, Jag and then a flick through to Ahmed, the forward used the bounce of the ball to lob the on-rushing goal-keeper from a tight angle, a cool finish.
Elim Utd obviously tried to up their game which meant Freeflow had to stay mentally focused to kill the game. But Elim Utd profited from the complacent home team and started to dominate with the wind aiding their direct play and Freeflow players backing off and slipping down the gears. Elim Utd did not actually create any chances but scored a fortunate goal when an in-swinging cross whipped in from the left found the back of the net after hesitation from the Elim forwards and Freeflow keeper Yigit, 2:1.
That moment of good fortune changed the game and Elim Utd piled the pressure and with the wind in their favor they won corner after corner before half-time. The Freeflow defense held firm but had to deal with some difficult moments before the break.
Freeflow came out for the second half the stronger after being told about their far from convincing performance. Elim Utd too feeling confident were now playing against the wind but continued to pose a threat with the long ball. Samee had the first real chance after being put through by Raj, but his stinging shot was straight at the keeper.
Five minutes into the half Elim got their equaliser which shockingly was well worked. Some neat passing on the right and a nice shot into the top corner at the near post leveled the score at 2:2. For a brief moment this rocked the mentality of the Freeflow players and they looked as though they were going to throw last weeks great performance and the season way. But rallying cries from captain Jaspreet, vice captain Arjun, Selim Ahmed and the touchline seemed to spur on a devastating 20 minute period to clinch the points.
For a couple of minutes after the equaliser, Elim Utd looked the stronger team but Freeflow started to dominate and started to pass the ball again. After some lovely inter-play between Kamel, Jag and Ahmed Freeflow scored from 1 yard out, but the goal was correctly ruled out for off-side. Freeflow put this past them and scored from their next attack. Ahmed latched onto a loose ball won by Drayton, the quick forward powered past the centre back to finish firmly across the keeper.
The domination continued and Jag who had showed great work rate in the second half to close defenders down and show for the ball then added the fourth with a moment of individual brilliance. Cutting in from an inside left position from deep with no real support he glided past three defenders and then curled the ball into the far top corner, what a run what a finish, 4:2.
Elim Utd at this point dropped their heads and a swagger came back into Freeflow's game. New boy Oliver was introduced for the remaining periods and he pushed Elim on the back foot with his combination of skill, speed and strength. But there was nothing beautiful about the fifth goal as Samee's long goal-kick put Ahmed through he rounded the keeper with a loose touch and Oliver was on hand to score into an open net on his debut, 5:2.
Freeflow did add another superb goal Clinton who has ever had a reliable game was being targeted throughout the match with intimidating remarks due to his dominating tough tackling. A corner from the right which fell to the edge of the box sat up kindly and Clinton thumped the ball home into the corner and the left the goal shaking, the perfect way to answer the misbehaving opponents.
Freeflow require 3 more points to clinch the league championship on the final day of the season. If they play they way they started and ended this game they should in theory win. But they must guard against complacency and kill fooball matches off.
SQUAD: YIGIT, JASPREET (C), ARJUN (VC), AMANDEEP, JAG, DRAYTON, SELIM, CLINTON, KAMEL, SAMEE, RAJ, HARJ, AHMED, VINAY, MOURAD, OLIVER. 3 Changes made to the previous squad.
GOALS: Kamel 1, Ahmed 2, Jag 1, Oliver 1, Clinton 1.
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