Red Star worked hard to get themselves back in to the game after being behind for much of the cup match, taking the lead in the 86th minute, only to see Duet score twice in 6 minutes to take the tie.
The mathc started badly against premier league side Duet who took the lead from a corner after only 5 minutes.
Red Star fought back and had many chances to equalize both in the remainder of the first and early second half. Cranley had a header blocked on the line, Hirooka hit the post, had two near good shots blocked and had a penalty saved – it didn’t look like Red Star’s day. However, fortunes changed when a long ball was flicked on by Aly Duncan which Nicholson latched on to before hitting a rasping shot on goal. The keeper managed to keep it out but Nicholson picked up the rebound which was steered to Hirooka who classily slotted into the bottom corner.
Only minutes later Red Star took the lead. Right back Solling, passed down the line to Fielding who played on to Nicholson on the wing. Nicholson ran at goal, skilfully going past the defender with a quick pirouette, before simply squaring to Hirooka 5 metres out, who allowed the ball to run across him, taking the defender out of the game, before firing first time in to the bottom corner.
With only 4 minutes of normal time to play it looked like Red Star had done enough. However Duet didn’t give up and Red Stars defence was tiring. Some sloppy play, complimented by Duet’s desire allowed them in both times when a good clearance would have done the job for the Reds. A win for Red Star would have been fortunate, sespite the penalty miss as Cox was called on to make a string of quality saves
In future week Red Star will need to hold the ball better at critical times and cut out the defensive mistakes.
Back in the league, results went Red Star’s way. Every team has now lost and drawn at least one match each. This means a win for Red Star in their next match (or the game in hand) will see them go joint top on points but with an inferior goal difference which we must quickly overturn
