We went into this game with 4 back to back losses. There are many theories that constituted to our loss of forms, one being that we were facing tougher opponents of late the other, the change of new playing system.
We invested on a new tactics whiteboard this week with the aim of letting the players more aware of what their role and what to do when in certain situations.
Also for the first time, we named the provisional starting eleven before the week’s game. The idea is to reward players whom has done well in the previous game and also giving them an early preparation prior to kick off. We hope this will motivate players to give their best in the game itself.
We started with the following team:-
Keeper: JP
Defense: Daryl/SK/Clarence/Jerome
Midfield: Harold/Andy/Lawrence/Patrick/Henry
Striker: Colin
Prior to start, instructions and illustrations were given on how to defend as a unit for the back four. The message is to close out the space so that the opponent doesn’t have space to explore our slow defense.
We played against a good team called Bapple. They are a bunch of young and strong athletes who we were beaten soundly in our previous encounters.
The game started with Bapples attacking at will and making our midfielders and defenders working overtime. A lot of actions were happening on our right. Daryl and Harold did well to breakdown any attacks and Andy wasn’t far to provide supports when called upon. There were some moments of counter attacking as well. Harold on several occasions broke thru with good runs down the channel. He was a constant threat and seems to find form of late with his intelligence runs and dribbling.
We finally conceded our first goal on the 16 mins. A slight improvement from all our previous game when we started conceding our first goal between 7th to 9th mins. It was once again some miscommunications at the back that allow their striker to thread thru and scored a well taken goal.
We equalized 1 mins immediately after conceding our first. A corner taken by Harold found Andy with a hit off the ground and eluded their keeper and ended in the back of the net. His first goal after returning from a nasty ankle injury some 3 weeks back.
Bapple scored their second on the 33rd mins. Marc who is still adapting in our defensive unit played the opponent onside and their striker duly scored again JP in a one on one situation. However, we picked ourselves up and Colin scored a brilliant goal and our second equalizer from almost half way of the pitch. I believe he intended to lop the keeper after spotted him off his line, but somehow, his shot went low and ended at the bottom of the goal. We played out the half with no more goals from either team.
We convened during half time. There were positives and some areas on improvements to reflect in the first half. We went over the tactics again and the back four was once again briefed on how to move and closed down space. We also addressed the support and movements of our midfield as I noticed that we tend to crowd around each other unnecessary. The players were also briefed to anticipate the opponent attacking play so we can close down space to limit their advancements.
In the second half, we made some changes by playing Marc in the striker role and Matt on the left midfield role. SK was injured halfway in the first half and didn’t recover to play again.
We scored on the 46th mins with Matt scoring from a quick counter attacking from a linked up play between Matt, Marc and Harold. Harold floated a hopeful ball in to the box and Marc was making his presence felt causing panicked with Bapple defenders. Eventually, the ball fell kindly to Matt who run 20 yards to blast in the goal at point blank range. This is the first time they were behind in the match.
Bapple seems to react with more pressing and were forcing their play to try and score again to equalize. All they found was 2 banks of well-organized 4s to stop them from playing their fluent passing game.
With committed players forward, Bapple became sloppy in defending. Their diamond back 4s were exposed in the 50th mins by our attacking trio again. We were 3-on-1 when they conceded their 4th goal. A diamond back 4s sounded familiar to us as we have been playing this system till I came on board. The disadvantage with this system is our defense was not quick enough to defend once we are breached.
Our 4th goal was scored by Harold whom found the ball on the right side of the pitch. His speed and trickery cause a lot of problems for their single defender. At the same time, Matt and Marc were running alongside Harold to support the attack. In the end, he took his shot and the scored. The post-match interview with Harold confirmed that his has finally found his confidence and touches again. Keep up the good work Harold.
We played out the half defending stoutly and never give any space to Bapple attacking plays. For once, the team has successfully converted my idea on the pitch and at the end we won 4-2.
While shaking the hands with our of Bapple star player, he commented that our team has improved so much and he found it hard to break us down on the left and centrally.
Special must be given to JP whom saved 2 one on one attempts by Bapple. Clarence is also played brilliantly marshaling the back four. Matt and Janson also played brilliant breaking down the attacks and causing menace on the left. All these players are sure in the reckoning for a starting berth come next week.
With a doubt, Clarance is the MoM for this game. His solid defending and communications help the team together for the last 10 mins of the game.
Well done lads, let’s go again next week.
