Stalemate in Deventer as Battle with Canon Yaoundé Ends in Scoreless Draw

MFC Judge hosted Canon Yaoundé in Deventer on Saturday afternoon, with both clubs fielding their strongest sides.  Unfortunately for supporters of both sides, the standings would remain the same as they were before the match - with the clubs tied with each other and with Inter Madrid atop the league table.  Canon Yaoundé holds a slight edge in goal differential, but the three clubs each have eight points after four matches. 

MFC Judge started off under pressure, with the visitors having opportunities to open the scoring in the 2nd, 3rd, and 11th minutes.  Keeper Áron Kókai and the rest of the defense stood tall, however, and beat ball all of the tattempts to keep the scoresheet clean.  Sarmiento and Urbina each had chances to put MFC Judge in front just after that volley, but were unable to convert.  MFC Judge would end the first half the way their opponents had started it - with a trifecta of chances  that ultimately went nowhere.

The second half was more of the same, with both sides having chances they were unable to convert.  Elmar Jacobs - usually a reliable finisher - had four chances in the second half just by himself, in the 54th, 56th, 64th, and 77th minutes.  Sarmiento and Sanderson also had chances to put the home side in front in the second half, but like their squad mates simply could not finish.

"Credit to Canon Yaoundé," assistant Kwame Asante said during his post-match availability (manager Pieter van der Linden was unavailable due to a need to hurry home and continue streaming "Tiger King" with his wife). "They are a well-coached side.  I want us to get better at finishing - not just creating, but actually converting our chances.  If we can improve even slightly in that aspect we will be a tough, tough team to beat."

The supporters were much less-kind, however, taking a more pessimistic view of things.  Bailiff von Bailiff was so upset that he could not even bring himself to comment.  He simply sat in the corner, crying about what could have been and how his favorite club could have been in first if they had simply converted one of their eleven shots on goal.