By Sebastian Seidel
S7 Match report: Goodfellas x EE (3:1)
It was a hot and stuffy sunday afternoon when the Goodfellas came together for the S7 season opener against EE. The pitch in the fairly new Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park in Sai Ying Pun is quite big for a 7-a-side game, and the weather conditions were not perfect - little comfort did the wind give coming from the waterfront just off the pitch.The annual dinner the night before seemed to have left no visible marks, so that apart from mourning the absence of Leo we were in a good mood.
Goodfellas opening lineup:
Jules
Kettz, Bear
Koh, Dave, Sebs
Howard
Subs: Belgium, Sandro, Garrow
Following Dave's pep talk on possession, breath management and positioning, the game started, and it started well for the Fellas. We passed the ball around comfortably, Koh on the right side created space and opportunities, while game happened through the centre as well with Dave distributing balls wisely. Kettz and Bear closed off Jules' box and Sebs on the unfamiliar but not unwelcome left wing ran a lot and studied the offside rule (S7 refs seem to be strict but fair on calling offsides; and one of the few things our opponent managed well is the offside trap).
The heat quickly became the main opponent, and the newly laid out artificial grass carpet slowed down ball movement and made running more exhausting. We subbed as we could, Belgium coming on to the wing, Sandro up front and Garrow in the centre. Subbing went on throughout the game, as much by the opponent as by us, so forgive my not mentioning the details from now on.
Of note are several crosses who came in from the right by Koh, perfectly placed. The first reached myself, and the attempt to convert directly resulted in a ball that went way over the crossbar. A second ball just a bit later found Howard who was also denied by what we may call reversed gravity.
We were more lucky with yet another one of these crosses, which first found Dave whose header met the crossbar. Howard put his head to the rebound and converted. 1:0 for the fellas.
The heat had become a real issue and there was a hint of the possibility this might eventually have impact on our game. The half-time break, therefore, was much welcomed by everyone, but not before Belgium almost had his moment when he ran into a cross and powerfully headed just (centi)meters wide of the goalpost.
1:0 for Goodfellas at half time
The second half started much like the first had ended, with tired fellas being sure of having what it takes to win this game. but not being quite so sure how to apply this knowledge. The game had been restarted for not much more than 5 minutes when an ambitious referee whistled for penalty following a disputable Goodfellas handball. All eyes on Jules and EE's "tall man". It was Jules who kept the upper hand, saving comfortably to the delight of all of us. Still 1:0.
However the enemy had tasted blood and managed to turn their anger over the missed penalty chance into a series of attacks, trying to pierce our defense line. Often the ball would go wide and EE's wingers managed to put crosses in. I don't recollect what exactly happened but i believe it was one of these crosses that found one of their players in a good position to shoot, which he did, and converted to 1:1.
This was not long after the saved penalty so the game was by far not lost. Instead of letting heat and frustration overcome us, the Fellas decided to screw both weather and opponent, which we did. During a period of aggressive reorganizing we got back into the former state of controlling the game, with the defense initiating ball movement nicely. The opponents (had i mentioned they had practiced the offside trap?) lined up their defense almost at the middle line so that more than once we could do a bit of piercing ourselves. Wisely chosen and well placed balls came from Bear, Howard and Kettz in the back, allowing our attackers to go for goal.
Eventually Bear, receiving across the field from Garrow, dribbled his way past EE's midfield and brought in a beautiful cross that found yours truly's head in a opportune moment and position, in front of EE's goalie with little intention of their defenders to stop me from doing what i don't usually do - scoring. 2:1 for the Goodfellas, and a goal never felt so good. Game at that point had 10 minutes or so left, and we had no intention of giving it away; hence our efforts continued and, what can i say, the weather all of a sudden did not seem to be so bad anymore.
Balls kept coming up front and we were keen to keep it there. Possession game worked out nicely in the back whenever the opponent came close to our goal, but the spot of attention on the pitch was EE's goal where, it must have been about 5 minutes before the final whistle, Howard drilled in a cross which was flicked on by Dave to Garrow, who cunningly tricked the defender and had a shot in the bottom corner - 3:1. Awesome effort, awesome goal.
The final whistle did come and Goodfellas took all 3 points home, successfully opening the S7 season with an exciting and well-deserved win.
Final result: Goodfellas 3 - EE 1
Goals:
1:0 Howard (Assist: Dave, Crossbar)
2:1 Sebs (Bear)
3:1 Garrow (Howard, Dave)
Shoutouts to Koh and Belgium who fought hard and came close to injury, and thew whole team for keeping it together and making this win. Thanks also to Belgium for cutting up the oranges in the first half….
