Mercurial Metelo Inspires Totaal

An Horacio Metelo inspired Totaalvoetbal kept up the pressure at the top of the RM Invitational with a 5-0 win at Glasgow Rangers.

Needing a win to remain in the hunt Totaal took the lead from a pinpoint Metelo header after only a minute.

The midfielder then made it two with a stunning lob from a Vajpayee pass before Lars Boeckx headed in for 3-0 after just 17 minutes.

Pierre van Diemen got in on the act after 35 minutes with a powerful header as Totaal dominated the first-half.

Metelo was to complete his hat-trick and the team's victory with a header after 51 minutes.

With the title-chasers playing a weak Glasgow Rangers side manager Robin Meeblind took the opportunity to play Ard Leemans in goal and Freddie Smit in the midfield to boost match experience.

The youngsters needn't have had any nerves as the experienced Metelo headed home precisely from a well-taken Shirsh Vajpayee corner after only a minute.

Rangers were to respond despite this setback as a free-kick opportunity presented itself following some clumsy defensive work from Kenneth Timmer. Dante de Matteo being set-up but his shot found Leemans perfectly positioned.

Carlton Bruce then nearly stunned the visitors with an audacious chip that had the young 'keeper beaten but for the crossbar.

Totaal responded in regal fashion as van Diemen tried a lob of his own that also beat the 'keeper and hit the corner of post and bar. The young striker would be a hive of activity throughout the game.

It was left to the master to show them all how to do it however. Metelo picking up a neat off-load from Vajpayee before lobbing from an acute angle in the penalty area for a delightful finish that put Totaal 2-0 up and in control.

3-0 followed soon after following further good work from the exciting Vajpayee. Delivering a wicked cross Boeckx strained his neck muscles to lob a header over the, already, perplexed 'keeper Stones.

Boeckx was enjoying a rare start and proved himself a further nuisance after 34 minutes but could only direct his header wide.

The retiring Abbas Erol was going about his business in a more modest fashion but was nevertheless effective. His well-taken corner leading to van Diemen thumping home a header that made it 4-0 in the last action of the first-half.

Totaalvoetbal relaxed after the break but still managed to play some attractive football.

Metelo was the beneficiary of some good wing play from van Diemen to head home for his hat-trick goal and his team's fifth in what was fast becoming a rout.

Johan Juffing found some space as he side-footed wide as the visitors sought to improve their goal difference further.

As it was they failed to add to their tally but can be happy with their 5-0 victory that keeps them in the thick of the title race.

"Any win at this stage is a good win." stated Meeblind.

"We are happy to be in with a chance of winning the title with just three games to go.

"It was beyond what we dared dream of at the start of the season.

"We have a very tough game next so we can't get ahead of ourselves however."