Facilitators United produced one of the most stunning performances of all time at Section 1 Futsal Court, Wangsa Maju to overwhelm Participants FC 19-17.
Despite the late kick-off, the atmosphere inside 60,000-seater stadium was electric - and the next 60 minutes did not disappoint. The Facilitators wore their famous yellow LnL 2006 jersey while the Participants played wearing their LnL 2007 jersey.
On one of those once-in-a-lifetime day when everything goes right, Facilitators United were unbelievably three up at first 1/3.
While the supporter-less Participants stagger from one setback to another, Facilitators seem intent on adding a 57th title to their regained status as the world's most successive club.
If the backdrop to Participant's trip from Tyneside were bleak, the return journey would have been positively thunderous as players Samson and Martin ponder their next move.
As the hosts headed off down the tunnel at half-time, their joyous supporters cheered themselves hoarse, wondering, perhaps, whether they had just witnessed the most amazing 20 minutes of football this ground has ever seen.
In the second 20 minutes, Participant’s response was immediate, as they drew level just three minutes into the second half from superb play between Vincent, Colin and Martin.
What incisive football was played amid a frenzied atmosphere was all theirs. The chances fell the way of the men in yellow too. Unfortunately, the shots were either off target or failed to beat a Facilitators goalkeeper, Gerard, who stood on the line.
It was turning into the most one-sided defeat imaginable, with Facilitators pressed almost exclusively into their own half, Stan' introduction for Nick and Thomaz for T-Boy only increasing Facilitator's attacking momentum.
As the Participants pressured the opposition goalmouth, Simon was constantly under threat in the Facilitators goal to keep up the momentum of the game.
Thomaz, on his first appearance since his retirement 2 years ago, brought calmness to the defense and Kevin was shifted across to left back to look after Paul, although it was a team effort to keep the in-form winger quiet.
Second 20 minutes ended with the Facilitators United taking lead by 1 goal. As they headed for the 15-minute break, silence was far from present with the Facilitator’s fans cheering continuously.
It was a bright start to the much-anticipated final 20 minutes, with some slick passing on display from Participant’s and little quarter given by Facilitators in the tackle. An equalizer, which almost came when Samson spooned the ball onto Facilitators goal.
The brilliance of Paul changed that picture with some remarkable performances, but inevitably T-Boy had received the loudest applaud by the Facilitators fans who were cheering after he netted his 1st goal of the season.
Visitors, revolted by, Navin belted one long-range free-kick into the Facilitators' goal but the most notable aspect of Facilitator’s play during that time was a succession of shots by Vincent, who beat the first near-post defender on three separate occasions.
Not that it counted for much once the Facilitators had assumed a position of superiority.
Suddenly, Stan was in the clear and equally quickly, but Martin’s challenge brought Stan down. The Facilitators were pretty frustrated. And TV replays showed exactly why as Martin, clearly a foul was stood right in front of Stan and wiped him of his foot. But Martin showed off his sportsmanship of giving Stan a hug and patching up the disappointing tackle.
Kevin nudged his way ahead in their scoring duel, finishing off a fine solo effort in some style to complete the rout before the Participants scored a goal to reduce the deficit. Colin finished off an excellent move involving Vincent and Navin.
The visitor’s side rallied as the clock ran down, but with the home side in cruise control, genuine openings were few and far between.
Gerard told Sky Sports News: 'We're just delighted, it was a great team performance 'We've come out and shown the fans we can do it. We can beat anyone.'
He admitted expectations were raised now among Participants fans, which none turned up but said: 'We've got the players to do it so why not?'
The result represented Facilitator’s highest goal wins since they defeated Irish minnows Waterford by the same score line on the first stage of their run to the 1968 Final.
| Teams |
| Facilitators United | Participants FC |
| 1. Simon (G) | (G) Gerard |
| 2. T-Boy | Martin |
| 7. Thomaz | Samson |
| 8. Paul | Navin |
| 9. Nick | Vincent |
| 10. Kevin | Colin |
| 11. Stan |
|
