Match Review (Australia 1 - Nauru 2) - 22 Oct 2009

This was a highly anticipated fixture. Our team fielded 12 players and played the Nauru team of 6:

1. Nick
2. Jeff (GK)
3. Adrian
4. Linus
5. Neil
6. PKM
7. Ricky
8. Derek
9. Tank
10. Cots
11. Varls
12. Dave (GK)

We started the game with Dave (GK), Cots (DF), Tank, Adrian and Derek. Beginning with a slow pace, our strategy was to find our ground for the first 10-15 minutes, then gradually build up our tempo to wear down our opponent (partially through our strength in numbers and with the confidence that we have the likes of Leslie, Neil and Linus towards the end of the game). It was generally an even match, with both teams having their share of goal opportunities. At the end, it was the team with better (arguably) luck and finishing that won. Their (sole) striker was a good player, who held the ball up well, but not one which we are not capable of defending. It was unfortunate that we lost the game through lapse of concentration when defending counterattacks. Leslie scored the only goal for us with a header. Towards the end, we pressed hard and were creating all sorts of difficulties for our opponent through tireless runs by our runners - Neil and Tank deserving special mention. Our opponent bearly hanged on and was glad it was over. It was that close. In sum, it was the lack of an effective organised team offence and clinical finishing that stopped us from winning.

What we did well:
1. Our defence was generally solid, marking was good - it was no coincidence that we only let in one goal against France. It was the lapse of concentration in defending counterattacks that costed us two goals.
2. Box-to-box running by our many (extremely fit) runners was very effective.

What we could do better:
1. Short passes and making one-two runs, esp. with a player playing as a center forward/playmaker. Run into space. We lacked the organisation/individual skill to beat down a defensive minded team.
2. Be patient and find the best placed person to shoot - we wasted a lot of poession on speculative (non-threatening) long shots.
3. Run down the wings - use the width. Make opponents run more.