MELITA GROUNDS, XMAS CUP 1ST GAME: FC SCANDINAVIA (FCS) VS. BIRNAPA 5-1. The main challenge for the FCS players against Birnapa in the first game of the Xmas was not getting waived for offside.

Birnapa did not have any substitutes and got a player injured early on. They also chose to leave their defence very high in the pitch, giving meter upon meter for the FCS players to play with.

Deeks dominated

But overly eager FCS attackers and two linesmen that were perhaps a bit to sudden to waive their flags, resulted in a ridiculous amount of offside decisions from the referee.

Still, FCS controlled the game from start to finish and won comfortably 5-1 after great improvement from their game against AD 2000.

FCS took the initiative early on and Christopher Deeks came close after just a few minutes. Then Lars Johansson got a goal disallowed for - yes, you guessed it - offside.

15 minutes into the game FCS finally got a goal approved when Thomas Lindberg made it 1-0 after a nice pass from Sebasitan Delsinger. Lindberg looked to have the calm of a clinical striker and made no mistake alone against the busy Birnapa goalie.

Five minutes later Christopher Deeks made it 2-0 after a nice set-up from left back Carlito.

FCS continued to outplay the opposition and after 22 minutes Sebastian Delsinger made it 3-0 on an open goal after dribbling past the goalie. Christopher Deeks who had a good game in general made the pass.

"I have been lacking motivation and stamina. But it's coming back slowly but surely", Deeks said after being substituted in the 2nd half.

Good goalkeeper comeback from Fällman

The 2nd half started with a bombardment against the Birnapa goal, but without any success. Deeks came close three times and once the ball was cleared off the goal line after a FCS corner. Kalle Eriksson who replaced Lars Johansson also came close but no cigar.

Instead Birnapa made it 1-3 when goalkeeper Tommy Fällman lost control of a shot and Birnapa netted the rebound. With both goal keepers out for FCS, Fällman made a long awaited and much needed comeback with great success apart from this one mishap.

Carlitos came close to make it 4-1 just after, but was denied by the cross bar corner. Robin Larsson had more success after a pass from Delsinger (4-1), before Carlitos finally got his goal after a beautiful assist by Per Hertz who came on in the 2nd half, making the final result 5-1 for FCS.

 Man of the Match: Robin Larsson

"We were very ineffective today", commented coach Tobias Carlsson.

Few would disagree.

The next game for FCS in the Xmas cup is played against Comino Sunday morning at 8:30. There are two groups; one with four teams and one with three teams. FCS's group has three teams, so with a win against Comino they will play the second best finishing team in the other group in the semi final.

All-In Translations will set the alarm clock once again and deliver a full match report with player ratings.