Cedric
Goodfellas 1-1 J.Leaguers (half time 0-0)
_Speech by the one-eye Frenchman:_
- "Today, we're playing Jleaguers, they're in the middle of the pack, they are good but not that good in important games, so let's play our football, win the game, grab the 3 points and a beer and go home. How do you like that?"
- Everyone cheering. Yeah!! That was easy.
One-eye Frenchman going crazy (bear I heard that)
- "You think that's going to be that easy?
Well, F**k that (excuse my French)
Remember last week against Spartans: the team that wanted it most won.
So let's show some aggressiveness to conquer the ball
Let's work on our passing game:
3 things to remember
#1 whoever carries the ball should have options in front, on the side and behind
=> create movement without the ball
#2 the sender should hit strong passes, a precise short pass is better than an hazardous long pass
=> keep it on the floor
#3 the receiver should know what to do with the ball before he gets it
=> so always look around for the positioning of teammates and opponents
We are here to play Football guys, and Football is a team game, we have to work together, encourage ourselves.
Football is also an individual effort when one individual on a brief moment (a tackle, a save, a pass, a strike or a sweet move) can make the difference.
Let's do it now! Yat, Yi, Sam
- "Fellas"
_Shit we forgot the line up:_
Spenny Cedric
Ko Kai
Justin Howard
Declan Bear David Seb-K
Andy
- "For the win: One, Two, Three"
- "Fellas"
_First Half_
Both teams went into this game with engagement from the first minute on.
JLeaguers seemed to dominate a little bit more in the midfield but without really being able to create any thing out of it, their through passes went straight to our goal keeper (here I'd like to point out that Andy read very well all their through pass throughout the game, good job man) or got intercepted by our vigilant defense. All their shots were off target.
We had some good moves too but the last pass was not accurate enough. I don't recall any clear chances either for us except one strike off target from Kai, a cross from Ced that went over the bar and behind goal. We had troubles getting closer to their goals.
* Sub: Pete came in for Kai before the end of the 1st half
Both teams' attacks remained sterile until the ref call for the mid-game break.
_Half time speech (a mix of Pete, Ced and Howard):_
The good: "the commitment is there, keep it up"
The bad: "but we lack presence in the midfield, on which JLeaguers is having control
We need to calm down a little, and take time to build; we're rushing our game too much. Our passing game needs to improve, let's stop kicking (long) balls and we'll start kicking asses"
The ugly: I don't know who is the ugly but certainly not me
* Half time subs
- Kenny in for Howard
- Garrow in for Declan
- Davey Mac in for Spenny
_Second half_
Goodfellas progressively took control of the game in the midfield. Several good moves took us each time closer to their goal; we were finally at shooting distance
The breakthrough came from a good move (I think it was initiated by Davey Mac) made of few touches and short passes on the right side. Pete received the ball and escaped the defender in duty. He delivered a powerful cross into the box aiming for the Frenchman. Ced ran towards the ball to place himself in front of the defender and went for the header. For a split of a second the image of last week incident went through his mind but his determination overcame it and he placed a strong header. The ball went into the air and landing below the cross bar despite an ultimate attempt from the goalkeeper to clear it.
Here I'd like to take a moment to thank Pete for the cross, cause I don't think I did during the game ; the power in his cross made the difference
Goodfellas 1-0 Jleaguers
For few minutes JLeaguers were down and we were irresistible, boosted by our goal we had several well inspired moves.
But then we started to defend low, midfielder and defense on the same line, and the Japanese side started to put more pressure on us.
It was time for more subs
- Declan back in for Seb K
- Kai back in for Ko
JLeaguers maintained the pressure and got what they were looking for: the equalizer. It came after a JLeaguers player inherited a ball that our defense didn't totally clear, the player managed to cross the ball after it had passed the line (according to other players close to the action) but the ref did not see it that way, neither did his assistant and so the play went on. The ball landed in our box and one JLeaguers was the fastest to strike it. The ball found its way through a forest of legs to reach its final destination into the back of our net. According to Fifa rules if the ref didn't see it didn't happen and so the goal is as valid as France's goal against Ireland.
Goodfellas 1-1 JLeaguers
*Sub: Spenny in for Justin
At this stage the game went into a crazy attack-defense where both teams could have won it. One Jleaguers left alone on the left side of the box was in good position to score, but fortunately his shot went above the cross-bar.
Goodfellas forwards had a couple of shots too, including one last attempt from Pete ; unfortunately his left foot did not have the power of his right one and the goalie blocked the ball without a sweat. One legged Pete, one eye Frenchman and the rest of the team were all disappointed to end this on a game one point game.
_Wrap-up:_
We had the game in hand but Jleaguers managed to score on one of their very few real opportunities
Our spirit was good, everyone gave 100% and the pace remained high during the entire game
Spirit is not enough we need to improve the passing game, Thursdays training on a full size pitch should help us progress in that area
