After a busy weekend last week playing two games, Porto were up against their first TFC opponents of the year TFC Blades. With the weather threatening to break with snow, sleet, hail or just good ol' rain, the Porto boys were eager to get the game going.
From the off, it was clear to see what TFC were about and what they would try to do. Some slick, quick passing moves from their midfield caught Porto a little asleep and with the early pressure, Blades were the first to open the scoring with a well taken goal capitalizing on some uncharacteristic poor defending and with Porto failing to get the ball clear, Blades found the top right corner and Dani powerless to do anything about it. With this, Porto needed to dig in and grind it out as Blades were attacking again quickly and with quick passing and even quicker closing down of the Porto boys. Eventually, the engines started to rev for the Porto boys and great wing play from Kevin and Remi looked to cause the Blades some problems and expose their defensive weakness. With Cole being the midfield enforcer and breaking up the play, David was starting to thread his custom passes through to Remi and Kevin and as a result found Kevin, who's new found confidence in recent weeks enabled him to muscle through and find Remi in the box to level the scoring in a near training ground practiced routine! With the scores tied, the game was on a knife-edge as Blades (no pun intended) were constantly pressing hard on Porto, but the backline in the shape of Nick, Andy and Bennie were strong and quick to react to the attacks. Blades nearly got their noses back in front, when they managed to break through and going one on one, Dani was fast off his line, made himself big and pulled off probably the save of the game to keep the scores level. With this, Porto started to press themselves and runs from Cole, Kevin and David all started to open up the Blades defense and gave Porto their second of the game when David's strength muscled through and from the edge of the box found Remi who smashed home into the corner. As the half came to a close, both teams kept cancelling each other out and at the half, Porto had the lead. HT 2-1
At the half, Coach was quick to point out that despite the lead, Porto had much to do to take it up a gear. highlighting some improvements needed to see this game through and not lose their lead as they have done in many games prior, Porto needed to step up to the challenger.
As the half got underway, Blades showed again their passing prowess, when from the off, they were pressing high and hard to try and get the equalizer. On more than one occasion, blades managed to get their chances, but albeit from long range, mid range or up close and personal, Porto and Dani in the net was on hand to keep the lead intact. This half really was to be one of grit and grind as the goal lead was under constant pressure. As Blades looked to break through on more than one occasions, they were constantly met with the Porto wall that is Nicholas, Andy, Bennie, Kai or Matty who all stood fast and kept the score line from changing. With this strength allowed Porto to attack and try to get that all important third, with Kevin, Max, Remi, Ryan, Owen and Cole all having chances on the keeper and if not for some heroics and a triple save from the Blades keeper, the game could have been buried. It was with only 3 minutes to go though that Porto finally got that third and finished off Blades chances of some points, when from a great defensive block from Nicholas who then proceeded to assist David in a two yard tap in to finish an impressive game. With minutes left, Coach looked to tighten things up and slow things down and with not wanting to risk a tense end, called for more defensive views from players and not to lose possession. With this, Porto saw the game out and registered their second victory in a row. FT 3-1
Coaches Thoughts
As mentioned to the boys, every team that has ever raised a trophy or won a medal had had to win ugly and grind out victories, when maybe they were not firing on all cylinders. Today could have been a case of grogginess after the demolition of TU Everton, but the boys dug deep and got the points! Today was a true team effort and again shows a new side to the Porto boys that has come from learning and understanding of past losses. Well Done
MVP
This is getting very hard for me to pick now (a welcome problem I can assure you) today, there were four lads that really stood out for me and were a constant source of strength. Once again Nicholas continued his leadership in the center of defense and was on hand on more than one occasion to snuff out the Blades attack. Nicholas's right hand man Cole also showed why he is becoming a strong central midfielder both in defense and attack as when he wasn't making runs, he was back breaking up plays and stopping the Blades from pressing the defense. Mr. Reliable and Nicholas's defensive right hand man Andy also was a constant strength and again gave a near flawless performance. But todays MVP had to go to our man in the sticks Dani. Today was all about our defensive strength to allow our attack the chances to get the goals and all boys who were in defense stepped up and did their part. Dani however was on hand at some critical moments to make game changing saves. As mentioned in the report, his block in the first half to stop Blades taking the lead was a game defining moment and again in the second half, whether it was high in the air, fizzed across the ground, Dani showed how much he has grown in confidence and strength in just making the saves look easy and routine. Well Done Dani!! and Well done to all players as everyone had their part and job to do today and all did it well!!
