Another 1st in a season of firsts for the Porto boys as they had their first mid week game.
After a first league win against TU rivals Everton on the weekend, Coach warned the boys to avoid complacency and to make sure they were focused and ready for the evening game.
As the boys got underway, it seemed to be that the words of the coach had worked as the Porto lads were fast out of the box and got a very quick goal. With the ball seeming dead, David was having none of it as he firstly regained possession and worked his way into the box to score a well taken solo goal.. Something that is becoming a trademark of his. At 1-0, the boys were full of confidence and one could have become two, three or even four with some well worked moves, that all just missed the finishing touch at the end. It was with that dominance that came the sucker punch as a long goal kick sent the ball skimming through and with the resulting counter attack, a 'dubious' penalty was given. With the ball being smacked at Nicholas's face, the gut reaction of him protecting his face was clearly not merited by the ref who gave the penalty. With the resulting kick, the scores were tied. With that, TFC took the initiative and with the final 10 minutes dominated the game and if it was not for the stand fast resolve of the back line and also some quick alert reactions from keeper Dani, Who was not shy to come off his line and go in where it hurt, the game could have quickly slipped away. HT 1-1
At the half, Coach was quick to pull the boys up on their lack of energy and desire to go and take what was clearly there for them.. A Win.. With praise coming for the beginning of the half, Coach wanted more running off the ball and more voice to dominate and take control of the match.
Straight from the off and as with many games prior, the boys were hot on the opposition and with nearly the first play could have took the lead. Porto didn't have long to wait however as a well worked move with some hard work from Remi set Kevin up to notch his first goal for the game. The Porto side were now playing with confidence. TFC desperate to get a equaliser started to try from range, but found a more than confident Dani who made himself look twice the man he is and plucked a ball that was heading for the top corner into his hands. With this, Porto got the 3rd and basically killed off the game. With a swift attack and well played ball from Nick, Kevin scored with the cheekiest of flicks with his back to goal and deceived the keeper to put the Porto 3-1 up.
With the light diminishing and with the TFC boys trying to get their side back in the game, the Porto boys were reminded that they still had a game to win and had to be tough when TFC came on strong to try and get a 2nd, but some excellent defending from the back line, some awesome last ditch saves from Dani and also the Midfield unit getting back to make sure no goals from open play went in, finally finished off the TFC resolve. There was one final goal to come in the game from the games MVP. With a corner kick being won, Max stepped up to the plate and bent a corner straight into the net to finish the game off 4-1
Coaches Corner
As I said to the boys, I am more pleased of this result than the 10-2 win as this game showed great character and ability to hold fast under pressure and grind their way back into the game to earn a win! Every player showed a side to them that will lead them to great heights and this moment needs to be captured. At training, I told the boys that the missing piece of the puzzle was to become a team. Not just individuals that put the same tops on, but to start to find something within each of their team mates that they could link with and fight with to push forward as a unit and a brotherhood.. They took one step closer to that goal tonight. Very Proud! Well Done Boys!!
