On a sunny afternoon in Madrid, MFC Judge lived a dream as legendary Japanese midfielder Masashi Saito joined the club for one afternoon - and one afternoon only. It was a miracle born out of necessity, however, as a front-office snafu led to club stalwarts Isidro Sarmiento and Guy Sanderson being unavailable for the match. In what can only be described as a justfiied move, the entire front office staff has been replaced with robots - ensuring the mistake will never happen again.
Japanese legend Masashi Saito
With Saito manning one of the midfield spots, a palpable sense of optimism hung in the air as the match began. Riding that wave, Elmar Jacobs received a beautiful pass from Jean-Claude Schoeters in the 14th minute, got in a great position, and hit a weak-footed shot past the Inter Madrid keeper to make the score 1-0.
1-0 is how the match would stay until just before the first half, when diminutive Nigerian Idris Gabriel broke through the MFC Judge defense, hit a stunner from the penalty spot and leveled the score at a goal a piece.
"We should have been better there. I lost him," defender Bladmir Higuita said after the match "and for that I apologize. I will be better the next time I'm fortunate enough to take the pitch."
Unfortunately for MFC Judge, there was no winner to be had in the second half. The club came close in the 46th, 48th, 49th and 55th minutes, but could not put a second goal past Inter Madrid keeper Philippe Tixier. The match would end in a 1-1 draw, with fans and players alike frustrated that they Saito's cameo was not a win.
"I enjoyed my match here. The future? Who knows" Saito told reporters. "I wish we would have won, but I am happy with how I played. If the club calls and I am available, I will consider it."
The draw drops MFC Judge into a three-way tie for third place. The club is next in action on November 24, once again traveling away - this time against Craiova-based club MFC CLUB 420.
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