Weekly match report -Game 12

For the first time this season, Rosso Nero FC took the field with the same lineup as the previous week. A late kickoff, no Pius aka “Coach” on the sidelines, but the group went in feeling confident.

That confidence met a sharp Merendinho side from the opening whistle. They looked lively early—high pressure, endless running, and slick passing setting the tone.

From their first real attack, Merendinho crossed into the box and appealed for a penalty. Initially waved away with the referee calling a natural position and ball to elbow, the decision was suddenly reversed. A bemused Rosso Nero stood confused as the penalty was awarded and calmly converted.

Despite the setback, Cj was immense in goals, making save after save to keep us in touch. Eventually, sustained pressure told. A quick switch of play found an unmarked runner at the back post, gifting Merendinho a simple second.

With the game threatening to slip, Rosso Nero FC responded. Wave after wave of attack followed. A fierce strike from Seb forced a corner, and from the resulting set piece, a beautifully floated ball into the middle allowed Dan to rise and head home.

Game on.

Merendinho, however, kept the pressure relentless. Cj continued to deny them, but another decision going against us led to their third. Heads dropped, and moments later, they struck again, capitalising while frustration lingered. The halftime score read 4–1, but belief remained.

The second half began in the worst possible way. Another contentious call handed Merendinho their fifth—this one particularly hard to take. Sean made a clean tackle, was kicked in the back of the foot, lost balance, and slid through. The referee judged it a sliding tackle, awarding a free kick from perfect range. Even with Cj getting hands to it, the ball slipped through.

The seventh came from a rare error, a cross-shot squeezing through Cj’s hands, and the eighth was a bullet into the top corner—unstoppable.

Rosso Nero managed a second goal from yet another corner and header, but it was too little, too late. To sum up the night, we were even denied the chance to take a late penalty. Despite Cj putting the ball into the net, the referee decided it wouldn’t count.

It felt all game like the rules were being rewritten on the fly—and always against us. The constant calls made it hard to lift heads and regain composure.

In the end, the game was lost. Merendinho played well and deserved the win, though the scoreline didn’t reflect the contest.

🎥 Highlights available on YouTube.

See you next week.