Match Review (Australia 0 - Spain 5) - 5 Nov 2009

This is the match against the league leader. Most of their players played in the "French Dragon" team which won the summer league. Each of the players has somewhere between 1 to 3 years experience in this league.

We fielded a team of 9:

1. Nick
2. Gordon (GK)
3. Adrian
4. PKM
5. Cots
6. Dezza
7. Shiuy
8. Chickenbun
9. Dovan

We were trailling 1-0 after 10 minutes or so. It stayed that way for most of the first half until we conceded three more before the break (one of which was a penalty kick). We only lost 1 goal for the entire second half.

Of the five goals conceded, only two of which were spectacular goals (excellent individual plays together with excellent running) which we could have done little about. Defensively, we can honestly claim that we were solid as a team - our defence was tight and organised for the most part. We practically closed down "long-hair god" and he had very limited chances, although we were fairly beaten by good ball control skills of the manager (we were beaten 1-on-1 a few times by their manager who was very quick and good with the ball, and it was having a 2nd defender covering him that we managed to contain him to an extent towards the end). Special mention to Dovan for excellent defensive teamplay and covering for others when we lost 1-on-1. Adrian was particularly solid in the 2nd half. Gordon was very solid especially in second half - you are the cornerstone of our defence and it is important that you keep up the spirit even if we leaked goals. Second half was a very good display.

Offensively, understandably we had fewer chances. There were a few open chances where we outnumbered them. What we lacked is a mixture of (i) passing precision when we counterattacked; (ii) speed of receiving the pass to shooting; and (iii) a little more luck. Tank and Dovan had a few shots on target I believe.

All-in-all, it was good effort from all of us and we lost with our heads-up. Spain beat Peru 6-5. We lost to Peru 11-0. We have improved a lot. If anything, the scoreline flattered them. 3-0 or 3-1 would have been a fairer result.

What we did well:
1. Defending as a team, communication between the players (and those from the bench also). We covered for others when we were beaten 1-on-1.
2. We worked very hard and chased down a player (although sometimes frankly they are faster sprinters than us).
3. We made them work for the win. This is the lowest scoring match so far for them.

What we could do better:
1. Stay calm even if we lost a goal - no matter how we lost the goal.
2. Don't wait to receive a pass - run towards the ball and if under pressure, passed it back. We lost a few balls from interception.
3. When we counterattack, usually there are plenty of space at the back. We could exploit the space by playing through-ball down either side and have our runner chase it down. If we have the ball upfield, unless there's clear pass/shoot opportunity, play safe and wait for support.
4. More decisive (and speed) when opporunity arises to take a shot.