Nova English Korea vs. Xang Muang (21/12)
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Nova English Korea vs. Xang Muang (21/12)
In ten days' time, Nova English Korea and FMF newcomers Xang Muang will face-off in a special "anniversary" match to mark ten years since Micras' first ever official international game. The fixture will be Xang Muang's first, and will be held in NEK's Port Barret Stadium ten years to the day since the opening match of the 2006 World Cup.
The match-up is made even more significant given the teams involved. The FMF's first ever game was held between Taesong and New South Vietnam, with the former - World Cup hosts that year - easing to a 4-0 victory, and this December's fixture sees common ties to those national sides.
While Nova English Korea are not spiritual successors to Taesong, their shared Korean culture means that former-Taesongese players have represented NEK in matches since 2008. On the other hand, although Xang Muang may only be a newly-established nation, its citizenry can trace a considerable amount of migratory history back to the old New South Vietnam, and any remaining NSV players are now eligible to play for the Xangese side. Therefore, this momentous fixture could very well see players face one another exactly a decade later on from their inaugural meeting!
The match-up is made even more significant given the teams involved. The FMF's first ever game was held between Taesong and New South Vietnam, with the former - World Cup hosts that year - easing to a 4-0 victory, and this December's fixture sees common ties to those national sides.
While Nova English Korea are not spiritual successors to Taesong, their shared Korean culture means that former-Taesongese players have represented NEK in matches since 2008. On the other hand, although Xang Muang may only be a newly-established nation, its citizenry can trace a considerable amount of migratory history back to the old New South Vietnam, and any remaining NSV players are now eligible to play for the Xangese side. Therefore, this momentous fixture could very well see players face one another exactly a decade later on from their inaugural meeting!
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- FMS Staff
- Posts: 21549
- Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:37 pm
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Re: Nova English Korea vs. Xang Muang (21/12)
*Played 21st December*
Nova English Korea 4-1 Xang Muang
4' - Ahn T.L.
27' - Lee G.Y.
45' - Jung H.M.
51' - Triều V.Đ.
88' - Park J.P. (pen.)
Nova English Korea comfortably beat FMF newcomers Xang Muang in their first ever game, as the FMF's "anniversary match" almost ended in an identical scoreline. Billed as a spiritual rematch between Taesongese- and New South Vietnamese-related sides exactly ten years after the first FMF international, the friendly pitted two uneven teams together and the gulf in class was apparent within the first five minutes. Ahn Tai-Lo escaped the Xangese defence to take the ball forward before striking past the 'keeper with aplomb in the opening exchanges, leading to further first-half goals. Winger Lee Geum-Yong mesmerised with a jinking run before opening his body to curve a confident finish through the crowd and into the far corner midway through the half. Jung Hyun-Min made it a comfortable three just before the break with an easy tap-in after striker partner Ahn's initial shot had hit the post. After the restart, Xang Muang pulled one back against the run of play, catching NEK off-guard. A well-constructed move upfield culminated in three one-touch passes around the area before Triều Vinh Đức had the decisive kick to beat the stopper at his near post. Xang Muang were muted after their goal, however, as the Nova English Koreans' discipline returned after its momentary lapse. The game's talking point came with around half an hour's play remaining, but not through any controversial play or skill, Midfielder Lỷ Minh was introduced from the bench and, in the process, marked the anniversary aspect of the game well by being on the opposing side to NEK's Park Ji-Pyo; both players were starters in the match played ten years ago in Daegon, and are only two of a handful of those line-ups still playing competitive football a decade later on. The match itself cooled as the time elapsed, but there was time for Park Ji-Pyo to have the final say from the penalty spot. Ahn Tai-Lo was fouled on the very top corner of the penalty area by Xangese captain Rory Trần, who escaped punishment, and Park stepped-up to trickled the ball into the bottom-right corner from twelve yards with two minutes of normal time to spare. With Nova English Korea's notable strength advantage over the Xangs, the result was never truly in doubt, but will put them in the right frame of mind for the qualifiers next month, with Xang Muang being able to take a few positives from their début performance given the amount of match fitness the majority of its squad lacked coming into the game.