After having a weekend off last week, there was no excuses for Porto to be tired or fatigued going into this game. Having got a taste of what GUSA have to offer, Porto knew from the off they would be in for a tough game.
As the game got underway, GUSA were clearly showing that Porto would not be allowed anytime on the ball. With Porto being forced to think fast, GUSA were picking off stray passes and if not for some terrible finishing from the GUSA side, would have punished Porto early on. As with the other GUSA team early in the season, Porto looked in awe and a little dazed by what was in their face. Even though coach prior to the game made highlight to what would be coming, Porto just looked powerless to stop the oncoming GUSA attack. Porto did however hang in there for several minutes, but a defensive error led to GUSA opening their account for the day and setting the tone for what was to come. Porto tried to wrestle there way into the game, but they were to be taught a lesson as to what hunger and desire get's you as Porto's inability to come collect the ball, stand strong, make solid passes and generally talk and play as a unit was allowing GUSA to easily dictate the play and turn one into four before the half time break. HT 0-4
at the half, Coach was somewhat confused as what to say. A sense of deja vu had swept over him and not to criticise the scoreline, but decided to focus on the effort. The message was clear, you can't let good team play! A hustle, a guts and glory and some heart and desire was needed to drag Porto back into the game, but it would need leaders to be the flame to the fire.
As the half got underway, Porto were more in the opponents face and starting to hunt the ball down, GUSA actually needed to start thinking about what they were doing and as a result Porto started to get some shots and attacking third possession. But, the quality and again determination to go get the ball would punish Porto as quickly GUSa put the game out of reach with seven goals. Porto did get something of a concellation however with a well struck shot from Cole from a Kevin through ball, but GUSA would finish up the day with their eighth and leave Porto with once again more questions than answers. FT 1-8
COACHES THOUGHTS
Simply put, We're too soft! Too soft to the tackle, too soft on the ball, too soft off the ball, too soft with our passing and too soft regards each other. We have had several tastes this year of what it takes to step up to the next level of play. Desire, hunger and personal determination is all what is required to take that important next step and to compete rather than just be sparring partners for better teams. What upset more regards today and games that echo today is the lack of fight. We rolled over today and allowed GUSA to do whatever they felt like and that is not what we do. When I suffer a defeat such as today, I go home and I analyse everything. From training, to pre game, to game and post game. I review everything and ask myself 1000's of questions. But the problem is, I look at training this week and we trained hard. Simply put, attitude and perception that we are better than what we actually are, haunts us and costs us. We must improve, we must do the basics better, from passing a simple pass to defending as a team. Focusing on our man to taking on our man. All over the park there are battles to be won and unfortunately we lost a great deal of these. If I was to add them up regards positional battle I would say we won one.. And that is why that player got my MVP today!
A tough lesson, but one that needs to be learned if we are to truly compete.
You all are my boys! I have your back! I fight and work for you! But you need to have each others back to truly step forward. As one. As a team
Learn!! and let's move forward
