The goings get tough…FC loses despite a heroic performance by 2^nd keeper David G.

One of the league's hot derby matches, between FC and Ha'ogen came to be FC's 3^rd loss this season while the club takes a wrong turn on the table. FC's last win took place three games ago against Michmoret, after the Red'n'Blacks survived a miraculous comeback to win 5-4. However, since then, it has been a tough month for the team, which collected only one point in the last three games. Ha'ogen's young team came to the game looking to inflame the team's momentum; a win would be sending the team up to first place with a game in hand. The meetings between the clubs are traditionally 'hot and spicy' and the result could go either way.

Ref Zohar whistled for the start at 14:30 sharp and Ha'ogen launched the pressure on the R&B, testing FC's defense and 2^nd keeper - the experienced David G... But the R&B's back squad had stabled itself since the return of Uzi G. to the backcourt while Amir R. resumes the fullback position. Ha'ogen's fast attackers managed to get to the base line and send in the cross, but Amir, Gaby and Uzi handled those balls and Ha'ogen's efforts did not produce any significant chances in the box. FC started to move forward and suddenly, on the 23^rd minute delivered the sting: Uzi G. got a short pass from the left, turned around and smartly sent the ball to a dead zone in the left. At first, it seems that no one was there to get the ball, but a second later, it was in Amir R.'s skilled feet. He elegantly passed a defender and sent an accurate ball to the target - the keeper could only watch as the ball sank into the net - 1:0 FC!

However the goal did not change the rhythm of the game: Ha'ogen were dangerous and controlled the tempo, proving their high rank in the table is by no mean a coincidence. It was in those moments when a new star shown for the R&B - David G., who took over the keeper's gloves in the absence of Eli. FC's keeper frustrated Ha'ogen's players again and again, saving the hour until half-time.

The 2^nd half became a nightmare to FC. Uzi G. was sent off with a red card (2^nd yellow) early after it started, leaving FC with ten men. The pattern of the game turned predictably to be of a FC bunker. Ha'ogen left 2 players to cover Dudu (first appearance this season, still a little rusty…), and the rest of them were all moving forward. FC players were defending bravely led by David G. in a brilliant performance, but Ha'ogen were getting closer, and the R&B were getting weaker. The leveling score came on the game's 60^th minute, when Ha'ogen's fast striker finally managed to turn loose in the box and score: 1:1. FC were hoping to keep the score and coach Mauro made a few changes to bring in some fresh blood, but Ha'ogen were attacking in waves. David G. excelled and the R&B managed to keep the score tied as the game approached it's 75's minute, when the hammer came down on FC's hopes: a double pass cleared one of Ha'ogen's fast wing players and FC's defense, too tired to sweep the ball clean, collapsed. David G. managed to save a header from the right, but the rebound fell into a hostile foot - 2:1 Ha'ogen. The R&D tried to level the score in the last minutes, but instead, they received yet another goal in injury time. A corner kick was cleared from the box only to find Ha'ogen's midfielder who nailed it from 25 m' to make it 3:1. It was over and done with, and the better team won.

Although Ha'ogen were favorites, you could hear the frustration in FC's side. Eyal B: "We only lost once to Ha'ogen before this one, and it was away. We are going through bad times now and we need to shift gear or else…" Coach Mauro K. was speaking in a realistic tone when he elaborated on the game: "They are the better team. I would've been satisfied with a draw… we need a play-maker in midfield, but right now, we can't seem to get it done with what we have." Idan S. added: "we are not playing football anymore. All we do is send these long balls and hope for a miracle. We need to go back to basics - when the ball is in our possession, the other team can't score."

FC lost Uzi for the next game and Eli is not expected to play for another two games - the goings are surely tough for the R&B, but will the tough get going???