After two tournaments and a lot of rain, Porto finally got to start their season against a team who last year graced the top flight of classic soccer. With a host of changes for the CASL Premier Red's, they had started their league campaign strong having notched up a 3-1-0 record.
With Coach looking to make changes and to put learning’s into play from the Richmond tournament, the Porto side looked very different from normal starts.
The game started with both teams looking to get their passing game going, but this was going to prove a tricky proposition due to the beach like pitch that the boys were playing on. Despite only having one training session with the new tactics and some Porto players playing in positions they are not familiar too, the lads looked like they were settling well and going about their task. It was Porto that looked the most likely to open the scoring as Max and Kevin in more wider attacking roles were finding good space, but only for the field to lead to their undoing. Dani in the Porto goal was rarely troubled in the half, but as the half time approached, CASL looked threatening, but found an alert Dani to keep the net from rippling. HT 0-0
With the half, Coach quickly reiterated instructions to the players and called for focus over complacency, as the game would get going.
Straight from the off, CASL changed some personnel and their star striker was on the field. This caused the Porto backline some problems with his jinxing runs and quick feet. It was one of these runs that gave CASL the lead when a quick attack caught Porto out and CASL found themselves through and one on one with Dani. 0-1. This didn't phase Porto as they stayed firm to their task and looked to keep going with the game plan. With again great runs coming from Kevin, Remi, Max and Cole, it seemed only a matter of time before Porto would be back on level terms. It was with a excellent solo goal from game MVP Cole that got Porto back on track and in the game. One became two quickly as Porto starting pressing CASL deeper and deeper and with a great pass into Max in the box, Max took his shot well to beat the CASL keeper. With Porto looking strong and with CASL just coming up against block after block, it was unfortunate that the pitch came to their rescue as Nick couldn't get the ball out from under his feet and again CASL's top goal scorer snuck through and notched his 2nd of the game. With the game tied, Porto still looked the most likely to go on and win and again chances from Max, Kevin and Cole all went begging. With only fumes left in the game, Porto had the best chance to win the match when Kevin broke loose, squared an excellent pass into the box for Owen to have an open goal at his feet, from 6 yards out, but somehow managed to send the shot over the bar (we'll blame the pitch Owen) After that, the refs final whistle wasn't long coming to end the game 2-2
