Totaal Trumped

Totaalvoetbal's stuttering defence of their crown continued as they slipped to defeat at F.C. Greatness.

Things had started off well, if somewhat fortunately, for the champions as Richard van Mosen gave them the lead with a miss-hit shot.

Their lead didn't last long as proceedings took a turn for the worse for Totaal. Cristiano Dagostino equalised with a fine header before Johan Juffing was injured and replaced by Freddie Smit, further hitting an already young offensive line-up.

F.C. Greatness were to earn their reward for a dominant second-half performance when Martinus Benfari beat a disappointing Keizer in goal.

Totaal took the lead with the first meaningful action in the game as a Barrere pass found its way to van Mosen whose miss-hit shot fooled Rachao and gave the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Greatness responded in kind by scoring with their first attack. Faust Baronchelli, finding space out wide, delivered a super cross which just needed steering onto goal by Dagostino's head.

Fabio Cannavaro then very nearly gave the hosts the lead as Totaal rocked. Fabio Cannavaro unleashing a super strike which was only denied by the post.

Horacio Metelo wasted a free-kick by hitting it straight at Rachao before Totaal suffered a telling loss. Johan Juffing was not able to continue after suffering a knock and he had to be replaced by the out-of-form Freddie Smit.

Greatness started the second-half on top as Faust Baronchelli hit a free-kick wide.

Despite being pushed back the champions did manage one attack in the half as Shivan Preetnav poked an effort straight at the Greatness 'keeper.

Baronchelli was, by this point, causing Totaal all sorts of problems and should have done better as he headed over from a good position.

Greatness got their slice of fortune on 81 minutes when Martinus Benfari badly miss-hit his shot but, like van Mosen, wrong-footed the 'keeper in the process and gave them a 2-1 lead.

Martinus Benfari missed an opportunity to extend the lead but it proved academic as the home side held out comfortably for a 2-1 victory.

"We're not performing." said Meeblind.

"Tactics wise there was nothing in the game but the Greatness team performed much better than ours.

"Losing Juffing was a blow and we are lacking some experience in midfield and forward areas but at the moment our hands are tied.

"We'll continue to work hard despite our poor start."