Notorious FC(3) vs Just Finish Mexico(3) - Draw - June 23rd 5:30pm - Red Card for NFC

This match was the first ever meeting between NFC and Just Finish Mexico which resulted in a 3-3 draw.

The first half started with all momentum going NFCs way with several counter attacks and chances right off the bat. NFC played a very composed game in possesion before a an oppertunity by Javaughn was stopped with a dirty tackle from behind in what surely looked to be a penalty. Minutes later with Javaughn once again through on net 1on1 with the keeper he was violently taken down from behind where the defender made zero contact with the ball and AGAIN no penalty call.

Shortly after these events Just Finish was able to get a foothold in the match resulting in a counter attack which saw their first goal count despite the striker being in an offside position. After roughly 2 minutes of play after the first goal just finish saw their striker again offside through on goal putting away another goal. Thanks to the linesman NFC was now down 2-0.
NFC responded shortly after getting one back with a brilliant play between Kemar and Lauti which saw CM Lauti put the first of our 3 goals in the back of the net.
Near the last 10 minutes of the first half our 2nd goal of the game came after brilliant tiki taka plays around the edge of the penalty box saw Javaughn open in space on the LW play in a beautifully weight and timed cross which CM Matthew put in with an acrobatic Finish scoring his first goal for NFC this season.

The drama got much more intensified in the 2nd half after Just Finish's striker pushing CB Claudiu from behind in our own box with no call from the ref the striker put the ball in the back of the net. Understandably frustrated and upset with what had transpired Claudiu hurled abuse at the ref seeing a straight red card and putting NFC both a goal down and a man down.
The game wasn't over for NFC though as we became more relentless and despite being a man down where able to find more space with the ball and have more deadly attacks. The events that would transpire in the last 25-30 minutes of the match would entail much drama, joy and jubilation as well as pain and bitter sorrow for NFC.
With a beautiful ball played in to Kemar he dropped the cb with his incredible agile movement, dropped the keeper and before he could finish his chance on an open goal the keeper had brought him down resulting in a big oppertunity missed but also wrongfully again not called a penalty. It wouldn't take long for NFC to get chances as a corner kick on the right hand side was awarded. With the corner played in by the RB Sean Toner a huge scoring oppertunity fell before NFC which was stopped with a foul resulting in finally our first of what should have been 4 penalties in the match at that point. Aaron Pao Stepped up to take the penalty, and unfortunately his strike wasn't placed well enough nor powerful enough to beat the keeper as he made an easy save. still a goal down NFC kept attacking and with NFC Legend Kevin Iyambo on the ball on the left side of the pitch in space, he took a touch and fired away on his weaker left foot blasting the net and beating the keeper to tie the game for NFC.
With the game tied and not much time left to play the stakes where high. Both teams where looking for the win and despite being a man down NFC looked to be the more threatening team as most breaks from Just Finish Mexico ended up being stifled by Defenders Brian, Lauti, Jay, or Adnan and several NFC attacks looked threatening however didn't result in a goal. It wasn't until the final 5 minutes of the match where Brandon Pao playing on the LW had played a beautiful forward pass out wide for striker Kemar to get on the end of who beat a man, and was about to shoot before he was fouled that we had what could have been the definitive moment of the match. The second penalty of the game of what should be 5 for NFC was finally awarded. Kemar unfortunately hit his penalty over the net and the game remained 3-3. the final 5 minutes where frantic with lots of back and forth and desperate defending at times. Despite our best efforts NFC wasn't able to get the win but were able to salvage a single point against a team who we whole heartedly outplayed. A bittersweet result for NFC as the win was fully in our hands with 2 missed penalties and several big chances missed throughout the game.

MOTM for NFC goes to Matthew