Goodfellas: 1 (Peps) J-Leaguers: 2 HT: 0-2, FT: 1-2 1H lineup (2-3-1): Peps (GK), Parker, Adrian, Chris (Thariq), Eddie (Jeetu), Steve, Luca The first half was characterised by a lot of running and sitting in our half packing the midfield and defence. For the most part this left them frustrated, passing around the back and trying runs down the wing without making much headway in the middle. Their few successful central runs at us were usually swept up by Parker or Adrian in defence. It was two bad lapses in concentration that cost us the goals. A run on the left by their winger into space behind Chris and Parker went unchecked right into our box and Peps was left with little chance. The second goal was a freekick from the right that sailed over everyone's heads and possibly the same winger who was positioned almost at the corner flag when the kick was about to be taken ran up unmarked onto the ball. First hit smacked Parker in the chest and on the rebound he hit it in off Peps from close range on the right. We closed the half very shakily, having held them to a handful of half chances, they had a flurry of shots hitting the post and crossbar in rapid succession. 0-2 and all to do. 2H lineup (2-3-1): Luca (GK), Parker (Steve), Adrian, Jeetu (Eddie), Peps, Thariq, Alex M (Chris) Having to chase the game and with J-Leaguers a bit more relaxed about things, we set out with a lot more purpose in the 2nd half, with McMillan making a nuisance of himself up top throwing his um... weight around, playing well with his back to the goal with good support on the flanks, and Peps putting in a spirited fight. The game flowed more freely as they became unsettled by our physical approach, and space opened up for us. All that pressure finally paid off when we won a freekick a few yards from the edge of the box. Thariq and Chris took up positions right in front of the opposition keeper, promptly sending J-Leaguers into panic mode and sending 3 players to mark them, all blocking the view of the keeper. Peps took an excellent bullet of a shot that went right into the top left corner, with the defence and keeper static. 1-2 and game on. The last few minutes were a mad rush, pressuring high up the pitch and forcing the tiring J-Leaguers (who had no substitutes) into mistakes. As tiredness and panic set in for them, they weren't able to use the space behind us quite as effectively, putting balls out or hitting them too short and being just that little bit less accurate with their passing, meaning we could mop up and attack again, but the final ball wasn't quite there for us and we were unable to turn the pressure into an equalising goal. Final score: 1-2. Post Game Analysis: Good discipline we for most of the match in keeping our shape even when we threw everything at them at the death, forcing them into numerous errors and coming close to getting that equaliser. Patience will yield rewards. Teams like J-Leaguers are fully equipped to use the space we leave behind when we attack, so we must be willing to be patient and disciplined in keeping our shape and hit them on the break. Only a few real lapses in concentration last night but on such a small pitch we will be punished for them, hence the two goals. That doesn't just mean focusing on the person you are marking but also being aware of the shape of the team, of everyone around you, cos it is very easy to be pulled out wide or away from your zone. We don't give these out anymore, but my Man of the Match vote goes to Chris for his tireless running and hard tackling.
