Inspire played match number 3 on pitch 15 at Zayad Sports City today playing last years champions Stroller Dons. Inspire played a 4-1-4-1 formation to tighten up midfield. With keeper Alex injured, Colin returned in goal with: Nico, Romeo, Ronald and Charlie forming the back line. Captain Thierry played in the hole with: Amro, Akram, Saif and Taofeek in Midfield and Moe Sanhouri as a lone striker. Both teams started strong with Inspire playing the more attractive football and the Dons looking very strong with their direct attacking style and Inspire looking Sharp on the wings. Both goal keepers where tested early on but with relative ease with Colin making routine tip overs the bar. With 15min an attack along the right flank found Moe Sanhouri who played a square ball to Amro Abbas who calmly placed his shot with a lofted swerve to beet the Dons Keeper. Goal 1-0 Inspire. Shortly after a wide ball from the Dons left side was a teasing ball in between Colin and Ronald which the Dons striker toe-poked home and celebrated trying to shoulder barge the keeper. In response Inspire still maintained there focus and continued to press with Dominic Jacobs making a fantastic run with his first touches as an Inspire player to hit a cross to advancing Nico. The ball slipped past Nico who managed to chase the cross to the edge of the box and turned unmarked and hit a stunning deep lofted swerve shot into the top corner of the net. Only Nico and god knows if this was a intended shot or cross to Dominic but the fact remains that this will be a candidate for goal of the season. The 2nd half Inspire where playing slightly uphill and against the wind and the Dons really pressured Inspire with some very physical tackles, however Inspire held them for the majority of the game. The equalizer came when a flicked on ball was met by the Dons striker who was in a certain offside position, so much so almost every stopped. The referee allowed the goal and completely changed the match. In response to the goal Inspire continued to press and created 3 goal scoring opportunities to score one of which was picked up by Mansour with his hands by mistake thinking he was called for offside. With Inspire unable to finish the Dons, the Dons played a hopeful ball into the box which the referee seen a kick ("of course he did"). The last kick of the match Colin read the shot and launched himself to his right post but the penalty was top draw moving away and hitting the side netting. The game finished with a few words and handbags being thrown about by both teams with keeper Colin being shown the Red Card for being attacked by Bambi there CB who managed to walk away without punishment. The fact still remains, Inspire have lost 4 points to silly referee mistakes. I don't condone my retaliation to the idiot who had said what he said but will fight our corner 100% as be got professionally bullied out of a match by a referee unable to control. Was their and favoritism toward the Don's? I am not so sure but with the crazy decisions and inconsistency in favor of the dons it certainly seems that way as both of the last goals where gifted by the referee. An official complaint has already been sent to the league about the referee which will follow in a meeting which will most probably be all about about players behavior. The late players, we do still have a problem with punctuality with the players coming on time. If late without me knowing then its extremely unlikely you will play. There are certain players that finish work late but those who did tell me played. I need to know!!!! Really sorry to those players who did not come on but in games like today its a huge risk to change things when the game is so close. I have a team of 25 players and their is plenty of competition for places which is healthy for development of the club. All players will be given an opportunities but I must state the players who are in form will play. In the debrief with the club officials I heard their is some words internally with the players. I put this in writing so everyone is clear. The 500 aed if for the 2hours of training every week for one season. The cost of this mainly covered by Inspire including the league fees. All the money we do take will be pumped back into the team on kits, balls, bibs and other competitions etc or in some cases payment is settled with coaching and refereeing hours but still contributing to Inspire. If you make the squad that week its a bonus. No positions are guaranteed although there will be regular starters. Myself, Nico and Thierry at some stage in our lives played at a serious level and we try hard to create a team that play smart football and compete in this league. Furthermore those who ignore instructions will naturally be dropped as its a risk to the team. Apart from if there are any questions from any player please do not hesitate to approach me in training on Friday and I will tell you exactly where you are in the team right now and what you need to improve. In terms of a new team there are 4 phases to pass through: Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing. We are in between the storming and norming and I want all discuss things with the squad so we can 'norm' then start performing. In the words of Romeo, we are a new team and last years Champions had to rely on the referee and foul play to beat us. We are a good team and today we proved it!!!! Man of Match: Nico- who ran himself into the ground today and almost had a heart attack to push Inspire to a victory not to mention his worldie goal. Well deserved! Numpty of the Match: Today's match had many candidates: Nico for his shocking parachute underwear, Colin for loosing his cool, Saif for his Rocky Balboa inspired right hooks, but agreed by the club officials after the match the craziest moment of madness falls to Mansour who was clean through on goal and picked up the ball because someone on the line shouted offside and he was not. Numpty!
