Totaal Triumph at Last

Totaalvoetbal recorded their first win in five games to ease relegation doubts and finally give the fans something to cheer.

There was no place for new signing Rodney Shuttlewood as Totaal went into the game with just a three-man midfield as they looked to play a more direct brand of football.

The signs looked good early on as their efforts brought about a free-kick in a dangerous area; unfortunately for them, though, Horacio Metelo could only fire too close to Sattler and the ‘keeper made a confident save.

Totaal were enjoying the majority of possession but found chances to be few and far between. However, they were to create a clear sight of goal for Shivan Preetnav and the young forward beat the ‘keeper only for the ball to strike the post.

City emerged as an attacking force shortly before the break but Shinosuke Isimaru couldn’t get his lob to come down quickly enough and Rimmer casually watched as it cleared the bar.

These two would be in action at the start of the second-half with Isimaru putting in a looping header which was destined for the net until Rimmer intervened by tipping it over the bar.

Totaal would offer Metelo another free-kick opportunity on 48 minutes but once more Metelo shot too close to Sattler and suffered more frustration as the cat gathered well.

City were more than holding their own in the early stages of the second-half and they too were given a free-kick in a dangerous area but Eugene Kameni Idriss couldn’t take advantage with a shot which went well-wide.

Buoyed on by their expectant home fans Totaal responded to put City under tremendous late pressure. Shirsh Vajpayee found himself with an opening but thrashed wildly over while Metelo was still struggling for his range from set-pieces as he hit another one wide.

Metelo would have one final chance from a free-kick and saved his best for last but even after beating Sattler he would be denied by the post and a draw looked a certainty.

However, Totaal would summon up enough energy for one last attack and after a neat through ball by Preetnav, Vajpayee raced onto the ball and lifted over the advancing Sattler to give them a priceless three points.

The final whistle was met with jubilant scenes in the crowd and Meeblind was also clearly relieved at a long-awaited victory:

“We needed that, the fans needed that,” began the coach.

“We had to wait a while for our goal but it was worth it and I’m really pleased with the points ahead of a massive double-header with the powerful Strollers.”