I’d like to think I’m one of the parents on the sidelines who understands what is going on with our team the best. So, when the State Cup Brackets came up months ago it was a big disappointment…..we were placed with the 2nd seeded team and the chance of winning our group was essentially nil. We did look to be the 2nd best team in the group and so, if we could just take care of business against the other two teams and not get hammered by Vardar, well, we might have a decent shot at a wild card slot. And that would be a big deal for this team.
(click for the video…although there aren’t many highlights)
We lost 3-0. It could have been a lot worse. It could have been a lot better.
The formation: we came out bunkered in; we surrendered possession to them and kept 11 kids behind the ball and hoped to hold on. And it worked. And it got our parents upset and I had to have words with one of them because THAT’S WHAT WE NEEDED TO BE DOING. We came out of our shell in the second half; gave up more chances, but, got a few ourselves.
The effort: Thought the boys played well as a group and did exactly what their coach wanted them do and responded well to the changes
The goals: But the goals against were stupid stupid STUPID. Goal #1 was a cross to the far side of the box and not one of the three players over there was goalside of that player….and it is an easy goal. The second goal was a sweet misdirection of a header off another cross BUT that cross should never have happened because one of our kids forgot to mark the guy and gave him the easy cross. And the third was a corner kick that bounced and bounced and none of our kids moved towards. Sigh
Thought Matthew played well….he is the #10 in the formation, the attacking center mid, and did exactly what his coach wanted him to do. As the game report says:
DATE: 4/23
TEAM: 02 Boys Blue VS Vardar 02
RESULT: Lost 3 0
ATTACKING STRENGTHS
A difficult game to identify any sort of attacking strength but I was pleased with some of the moments where we intercepted the ball and sprung a counter attack. We created two clear opportunities and against teams like Vardar, we must be clinical and take these moments in front of goal.
ATTACKING CHALLENGES
We found it tough to maintain possession and we had to take care of the ball and find our #9 who was our only real outlet. When we were deep and defending in our own half we had a great outlet option, but struggled to connect effectively. This meant the ball came straight back and we had to show defensive organization.
DEFENDING STRENGTHS
Shape was fantastic, we forced Vardar sideways and this shows that #6, #8, #10 were doing their job defensively. As we forced Vardar wide, the #7 & #11 were protecting the #2 & #3. But, we didn’t stop them serving into the box. We displayed good shape and forced them sideways and backwards but allowed them time and space to cross the ball in dangerous areas. They scored three goals from crosses, 2 in open play and 1 corner kick.
DEFENDING CHALLENGES
We had to show spirit, togetherness and work tremendously hard to stay in the game. Shape and discipline to play in a different style than usual was performed well, and I was delighted with the work rate. We have to defend crosses better than what we did tonight, firstly, stop the cross and secondly, make sure we hold a good line and protect the goal. We were caught flat-footed for all three goals. Higher levels of concentration and communication will help us avoid these situations.
OVERALL COMMENTS
The boys stuck to the game plan, which was slightly negative, but I felt this was the way we had to play in order to salvage a result. Our #9 was isolated so we relied on him to hold the ball up when building out the back. If our #9 held the ball up, then this allowed us to support gradually with numbers. Our defensive shape was good, #6, #8, #10 were asked to hold and sit in front of the back four and stop Vardar from penetrating through forward central gaps. We achieved this and I was delighted with the performance. #7 and #11 had to hold and allow their right and left back time and space (unless in crossing position). There instruction was to read the game and look to pinch square balls played by the opposition. We stole a couple and countered on a few occasions. Tough game for the boys but, the understanding of the tactics for this game was pleasing to see, we looked tough to break down and well organized.
