FCFC 0-0 Afrika United

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  05/11/2007 (7:00 am)

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  By Jim van Wijk, PA Sport

  Click here for full match stats

  Forbidden City signalled their determination to fight Afrika all the way for the Premier League crown with a strong performance which ended in a 0-0 draw at Lido Side Stadium.

  Jason Muhl’s almost goal after eight minutes of play looked set to end the champions unbeaten run of 6 matches without a loss before today.

  However, this Afrika side – who have won the Championship in many previous seasons – do not know when they are beaten, and fought hard in both defensive play and attack to keep the City onslaught at bay, although creating few real chances in the first half themselves.

  The atmosphere inside the 6-seater Side Stadium was electric with many players from the previous matches hanging on the touch-line with a beer and spilling on the pitch for a better view – and the next 93 minutes did not disappoint.

  It was a bright start to the much-anticipated match, with some slick passing on display from Muhlsies men and little quarter given by Afrika in the tackle.

  After eight minutes, Muhlsie saw his header come back off the cross-bar following a left-wing corner, but some fine defending by ex-City Keeper Nagui prevented Forbidden City to keep an early lead.

  At the other end, Emmanuel Adebayor timed his jump very well to make a shot on target, but deflected around the post by Jason Dory.

  Stellvertretender Vorsitzender Jochen was out of his dug-out when a decision went against Luca, for a hard challenge on the captain on the edge of the box with great opportunity looming, and was quick to give attending fourth official a piece of his mind as well as the referee. Unfortunately all that came of the challenge was a corner that so nearly won Pikey the betting on ‘Jason as first goal scorer".  Alas it was not to be the whole match.  Pikey too had a bet on ‘Jason as first yellow card’, and he was only just beaten to that one by Derrick and his belief in the Afrikan right back fucking up first.

  In the 23rd minute, Phil made an impressive run down the right wing and tried his luck with a cross through the area, but there wan no one in the box ready to connect.

  Despite both Afrika having seen plenty of possession and half chances, with 30 minutes almost on the clock, the away side had yet to properly test Jason Dory.  Afrika pressurised more in the last half of the first half but all shots from way out of the box were safely caught by the City keeper, with a fine display securing his first team role for the rest of the season.

  Following a quick counter attack, Simon weaved his way into the Afrika penalty area and headed home from a well delivered corner, but the linesman spotted a very close off-side infringement, which was heavily questioned by the crowds. 

  With 30 minutes of the second half gone, the champions began to find their own rhythm again and resumed the pressure right up into the home teams half with their defence creeping forever forward.

  Great match between too determined sides.

  Afrika United:
  Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue (Walcott 74), Fabregas, Flamini,Rosicky (Eduardo 80), Hleb (Silva 80), Adebayor.

  Subs Not Used: Lehmann, Diarra.

  Forbidden City FC:
  1. Jason Dorey 10  2. Philipp Fuhge 9 3. Alex Henderson 8 4. Stefan Hase-Bergen 8 5. Simon Ross 9 6. Jason Muhl 8  7. Gabriele 9 8. Luis 8 9. Nick Otto 8 10. Luca Merlone 9 11. Johnny H 8 12. Rafael Peinado 8 13. James Mckay 8 14.

  Subs Not Used: Pikey 8 15. Jim So 8 16. Kenny Bain 8 

  Att: 60,161

  Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

  http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/07/11/03/SOCCER_Arsenal.html