Deadlock at MVB

A late equaliser cost Totaalvoetbal two points as F.C. Greatness made their point at the MVB Arena.

The game got off to a troubled start for Greatness as they saw Martinus Benfari go off with an injury which will keep him out of action until early June. His replacement, Mario Balotelli, the young forward who has made such a name for himself this term, would go on to make a massive impact in the game.

In what was an extremely tight opening half-hour the only chance came courtesy of a free-kick as Faust Baronchelli found Robert Keizer more than his equal.

Totaal were awarded their first chance when Dennis Gyllenhielm was booked for an act of cynicism in bringing down Pierre van Diemen. The resulting free-kick saw Horacio Metelo bring the best out of Rachao. Moments later, though, the home side would take the lead. A corner was forced after a period of pressure following the free-kick. Richie Chalmers produced a delivery of gold standard from which Shirsh Vajpayee flicked a header into the far corner.

The second-half brought more chances as the game opened up. Cannavaro immediately forced Keizer into more smart work and, although, Colluato went off injured it was Greatness who looked the more threatening. Indeed, Faust Baronchelli then demanded Keizer punch his effort away after the forward connected sweetly with a drive.

It wasn’t until the 71st minute that Totaal had their opening chance of the half; Pierre van Diemen sending a header well over.

Chances were now coming at either end and following a Cannavaro lob, which brushed the bar, the play went straight back down the other end as Shivan Preetnav went close with a flicked header. Totaal could have extended their lead minutes later but Vajpayee couldn’t direct his chip on target either.

They immediately paid for this miss as Greatness marched down the other end to equalise. In a stroke of fortune it was Balotelli, who wouldn’t have been playing but for the earlier injury, who headed a Sifredi cross past Keizer.

Vajpayee did force Rachao into another save but neither side could force a winner and had to settle for a point apiece.

The final whistle was met with an understated response from Meeblind as he met the media this sound bite:

“We have done okay but this season now is just about getting the match experience up. Richie and Watta have gone some way towards doing this and it is much more important than results.

“With four games to go we’ll pretty much finish where we are but if we can get everyone progressing in the silly-season we can be much stronger next season. Good luck to Darren in his quest to do this also.”