by  Anthony Kenny

35 goals scored, only 8 conceded, an undefeated record. But the system beats FLFC. 

07.10.2007 Ikaalinen, Finland: FLFC lined out in the 11th Ikaalinen Futsal tournament, with high hopes of going one better than the second place that seemed to be their eternal destiny. Despite some frantic late changes to the squad, the team that headed west for Ikaalinen was a strong and experienced one, so there was a distinct air of quiet confidence in the dressing room as match-time approached.  

Indeed it was FLFC who kicked off the tournament itself on Saturday morning, lining up against FC FoMe in the curtain-raiser. The opening exchanges were predictably cagy from both sides, but the game soon opened up and the Legion seized control. Thanks in part to some last minute training, the lads were warmed up and ready to attack from the first whistle, which they duly did. Without delay, their efforts were turned into shots, and soon shots into goals. The game finished at a comfortable 6-0. An easy start, but no signs that
FLFC were about to take their foot off the gas. 

The third and final game on Saturday afternoon turned out to be decisive. FLFC faced FC Kulju, quality opposition and their closest rivals in Group B. Both teams went into the game knowing that a win would guarantee them top-spot in the table and a place in the final stages of the tournament on Sunday. From the first whistle, the game was a tense affair and both sides took their time to settle. FLFC soon started to dictate the pace of the game, slowly stringing their passes together. However, despite having the lion's share of possession and chances, FLFC just couldn't put the ball in the net. The Kulju goal was peppered with shots, some of which went narrowly wide, hit the crossbar or were saved by the keeper. In other circumstances, it would have been comical. Finally, the Legion got the luck that they had earned, and moved ahead 3-1. As the clocked ticked down towards full-time, they would have been forgiven for thinking that they were over the finish line. But this kind of thinking was about to cost them dearly. In the final moments, a rare break in concentration saw a second goal conceded. It was a blow, but time was still very much on their side. But with seconds remaining, things took a final and decisive turn for the worse when FLFC fell foul of the referee. As the ball passed through midfield, a rather innocuous challenge in midfield was deemed a foul by the ref. Not only a foul, but the all-important sixth and final foul resulting in a penalty kick. There were immediate protests from some of the FLFC players, who clearly felt that the referee had made a mistake. FLFC players confronted the officials, questioning whether it was really a foul and, if so, the sixth foul. FLFC clearly felt aggrieved, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. The ref's decision stood, and Kulju had the chance to level the game from the spot. Despite a valiant dive by Ionescu in the FLFC goal, the penalty was well-struck and the ball was buried in the top left corner of the Legion net. Game over.  A 3-3 draw, with FLFC out on goal difference. The result condemned FLFC to second place in the group, and the chance to finish only fourth.

Sunday brought the minor consolation of a chance to play for fourth place. Despite the previous day’s disappointment, FLFC embraced the task at hand with admirable poise and the same attacking football. Two comfortable wins (14-2 against FC Web-Jussi and 3-1 against Dumarit) made the day a success, but another hard luck story overall. The consolation, however, was not the fourth place but the fact that the team had played some great football, showed great team spirit and finished with a bagful of goals and an undefeated record.