Windsor. We played them fall and spring last year. They are very good. In fact…..
They are third-ranked in Michigan good. Apparently they are an all-star team from the rec leagues in Windsor and because they, well, aren’t in Michigan, they have to work their way up the Michigan Premier League to their proper ‘place’. They stomped through a lower league in the fall and are, like us, in Premier 2 hoping to win (or possibly finish 2nd in) the league and be promoted to Premier 1. So my expectations were set pretty low for this game.
And we won 3-0. And it wasn’t particularly close either. Click to view (not my best video outing; forgot the tripod!)
(absolutely positively have to start bringing the nice camera to some of these games and have Suzanne take 5 to 10 pictures of each boy each game. These pictures from video stink)
I know this after this game: our last coach, while a good guy, could not coach. Just did not make many changes to line-up or formation. As I’ve ranted about here, had his kids that he liked to play in his positions and didn’t really deviate from that and if we won, we won, and if we lost, that was that. Our new coach has not been afraid to change things up and in this game particularly moved some of our team speed up front, instead of in back, and it paid off handsomely.
Matthew was the attacking center mid again today and did ok but was completely dwarfed by the easily 6’ holding center mid of the other team. Just a very bad physical mismatch for Matthew and they ended up switching him out of there later in the game. He played ok….and I thought there was a stretch where we really looked bad and gave up corner kick after corner kick that the team really missed his head and physical play. Oh well.
TEAM: 02 Boys Blue VS Windsor 02 Nationals
RESULT: Won 3-0
ATTACKING
ATTACKING STRENGTHS
Throughout the game the boys showed great desire to attack and played some excellent balls towards our #9, #11 and #7. We played to feet and also played some great through balls. Attackers forced their back line into making unnecessary mistake and we literally beat them down during every single minute of the game. This then allowed the team to dominate and cruise for the final 20 minutes. Great stuff.
ATTACKING CHALLENGES
There two centre backs were strong and quick but our forwards did a fantastic job in looking after the ball, and building play before sliding balls through towards positive attacking positions. We took our chances when they came along during the important periods of the game.
DEFENDING
DEFENDING STRENGTHS
The spirit and togetherness displayed today was really pleasing. We were under pressure for around 15 minutes in the first half and it took a team effort to fight through that period. The attitude and work rate was perfect today. We are setting a high standard for ourselves.
DEFENDING CHALLENGES
Corners kicks and free kicks were Windsor’s main goal threat. #5 was very powerful in the air and I was pleased we fought through the spell of pressure they had in the first half. During half time I highlighted the importance of not giving free kicks or corner kicks away. We did great in the second half and in general gave away very few chances.
OVERALL COMMENTS
Defending corner kicks and free kicks has to improve. We start by marking a player, but then take our eye of him a watch the ball. We must be brave and attack the aerial ball when traveling to our area. At the same time keep an eye on the player you are marking. We rode our luck, but we certainly deserved a bit of luck. Every position competed with high levels of aggression, once in possession we made good positive decisions on the ball and created plenty of chances. Players showed a willingness to get forward and also worked hard to fall back into shape and defend. Really impressed. Let’s now focus on our state cup game on Sunday.
