Sydney Uni 1 Vs Pagewood Botany 3 "AKA" The A team

Sydney Uni 1 Vs Pagewood Botany 3 "AKA" The A team 

Let me start with a quick update on the league table.

After the game, Pagewood is second with 31 points, and 13 games played (including bye), being Sydney Uni with 21, and 14 games played. 10 points of difference and, with only 6 points to play (9 for us) we are mathematically in the winner semifinal. We already achieved more than the last season, and we are looking better than ever! Congratulations lads! It's been a difficult due the lack of players including a regular goalkeeper, but even with that, we managed to get away with a collection of victory's. 

Look like is a league of two.... The entree is served. 

Exotic first 11.

First of all, Kenny in under the goal. A medal for him, as he took the responsibility hours ago, when he say it on the chat, without a blink, a player that is been the key in so many moments makes a sacrifice for the team. He was decided to be the GK. 

Ian and George closing the lines with Jason and Sean in the sides. To towers to cover the flanks. Jack and Ross in the midfield, dancing with Pat and Vlad. Ahead, the Mexican duo, the two pistols of the team.  

Encouraging start.

Pagewood started very ambitious in the game, punishing Sydney Uni, testing they're men. The intensity was high. Product of that Carlos had the 0-1 in a clear chance against the keeper, after a great pass from Ross. Later, Ross almost score in another hand to hand, he faked the first shot, but missed the second one, still, a delicatessen. 

Security in defence.

Ian and George managed to keep the lines always in order, correcting and helping Jason and Sean to adapt to they're roles. Sydney Uni did had a good striker, n19. Good touch with the ball, tall and fit. A nice challenge. But nothing did break the line in the first 20min.  

Insufficiency and surprise 1-0.

Due the control of the midfield, with Ross targeting the spaces Carlos had another good chance, always coming from the right, also Marco had it in  by corner that Ross delivered. Water, air. 

Sydney wasn't about to be that benevolent, as they scored on the only chance that they had in the first 45 min, a quick contra attack, led by n8 end up with a double chance inside the box, the second one, end up inside of the net. This goal was a direct cause of lethargy for the next 20min. Pagewood got a bit confused, asking themselves, "why are we 1-0?". The balance turned to be in Sydney's Uni, they main tactic, quick the melon and run, was now our best idea. Carlos loves this disorder sometimes....

The bouncing men, 1-1 things are not that bad.

Inside that lethargy, the game became and up and down, Ross and Jack where playing more direct, less transitions or long circulations, but if you have the right men's you can get some Gold from those situations. Ross in one of those, gets a ball in the midfield and spots Carlos in the right flank, the ball bounces, and the striker is Inside the box ready to control it but the keeper jumps over him, outside of the rules. Clear penalty. 

"Es Mio" the Colombian says. BOOOOM 1-1 and a deserved goal, after his lasts games, Carlos deserved this penalty and the consequent goal. Tables!

The game didn't improve much after the goal, as the connections with the wings where not consistently. The team hit the bench decided to give a turn to this situation.

The second half symptom. 1-2 paella moment

Last season our biggest enemy where the 10 first minutes of the second half. This season is another story, as the team is been playing very intense in the last games. As the last weekend, the team scored a really fast goal in the second half. Vlad in the LB plays a trough ball to Carlos, stacked in the left line. The Colombian puts it down and let the ball to Marco, drawing a diagonal inside the box, he controls, with a bit of luck and drops a defender before he strikes with his right a dry shot, far enough from the keeper. Justice in the field for a team that this year has more attitude than this season before. 

Possession based game. 

The 1-2 was a release for the team, that start playing with more head than heart. Pagewood increased his possession of the ball, making Sydney players run behind them. Ross and Jack found more participation, coming from the flanks or with a George and Ian now totally coordinated. Sean took a gear down too, and participated actively in the creation. 

Triangulations between Ross and Marco where more successful now that had Jason up front with Carlos. The crane was the link, and Carlos the edge of the sword. 

Most part of the second half was played in Sydney's field. 

They died with honour. 1-3

In the last 15 min so many things happened. Sydney took a step forward and decided to give everything that they had. The 3 points where vital for them too, so they had something to fight for. They increased the pressure and now was Pagewood who was under the hammer. They're mistaken was that whey where hitting a sleepy lion. 

Pagewood under attack still have some tricks on his sleeve. Fast players. Jason, Carlos and Marco are running animals that cover so many distance in the field. They had all 3, clear chances before Carlos finally scored the 1-3 after another great pass from Vlad, over the defence in the left flank. Carlos controlled, turn over himself, found space and snitch a ball, soft and deadly. 1-3. 

In the box to box kind off play, Pagewood can be really dangerous. 3 more points, and we did draw a strict line between Olympic and us, and the rest

1-0 Sydney Uni 1-1 Carlos (p) 1-2 Marco (Carlos) 1-3 Carlos (Vlad)

MVP of the game. 

Marco 3

Carlos 2

Ross 1

RED: Missed chances and playing under the adversity

Because the team plays an offensive style of play, we generate so many chances, but of course not all of them will end up as a goal, perhaps some of them should had been goal. Carlos, Ross, Marco and Jason missed chances that usually are goal. Also seems that the team is not use to play with the unusual circumstances of being behind in the scorer. Just after the goal the team was knocked out for a good 15min. 

 ORANGE: Crucial moments

Behind in the scorer the team didn't play his best minutes, but step by step, they attitude balanced the lack of ideas in terms of football. They didn't loose the hunger, and get a penalty, result of this stubborn attitude. It seems that the passing game is working for the team, so they shouldn't let the opponent drag them to they're game.

GREEN: Picking up speed

The team is picking up the rhythm, just in the best moment of the season, our legs, less tired do the high amount of wash outs, are working at his best right now. In the last 15 minutes. Pagewood played purely a contrattack style. Having players with a good fitness allow you to punish your enemy when his lines are broken.

Kenny 10: Generous. As I mention before he didn't hesitate to offer himself as a keeper hours before the game. Great mentality from one of our key players. Nothing to say about the goal, as he couldn't do anything. Secure in the corners and close to go home with a clean sheet.

Sean 8: Smart. After the first 15 min, where he basically was adapting himself, he found more connections with George and Ian. Payed a serious game, being always in time for the tackle. He didn't complicate much going in attack, as Vlad was pushing more on the left flank, due this fact, he focused in close the lines and offer a good repertory of short passes, and composure with the ball.

George 8: Tutor. This is the George that you want. Decided to be a locker in deference, and also organise the rest of the players when defending. Took control of Sean, correcting his position, and showed temperance in the critical moments for Pagewood. End up exhausted due the hard job. Is showing more passes than before and is an option to play when under the pressure.

Ian 8: Capo. Like a Italyan mobster he closed lines with George. Always aware of covering Vlad when he was pushing forward, and controlling everyone's positions, especially Marco. His role as a captain is taking now a next level, as he feels more keen to give instructions. The defence pimp, treat everyone that was trying to go trough him like bitches. 

Vlad 8: Explosive. A very fierce LB. Very hard to beat by speed, and impossible in the shoulder to shoulder. Compensates his lack of cm with a very powerful jump. Great second half, punishing the left flank with the LW, and always happy to participate in triangulations. Thanks to this ability, he assist Carlos on the third goal, and started the play in the second. 2 meticulous passes over the defence, allowing Carlos to break from the left. 

Jack 8: Protector. As he is a versatile player, it doesn't take too long for him to understand what is his role. He participated actively in the game, closing lines properly, and keeping Ross backs clear. With his ability with the ball, he gives time and sense to the game, combing  forward, or backward if it's necessary. Intense in the pressing, offered support to the CB by dropping his position. Covered a good distance in the field. Medal of honour

Ross 9: Mad-hatter. His presence is enough to encourage everybody. Always thinking fast and moving wisely in between the lines. When he does that flick over a player, "sombrero" in Spanish, you just can sit and watch and ask for a Wisky. When he's surrounded by players that play at his rhythm the game will always look good. Provided the pass that end up in a penalty. A pass from his own field that break the defence in half. Missed a cheeky chance that could had been the 0-1

Jason 7: polyform. We used to see Jason commanding the attacking lines, nowadays it's something that we are seeing less and less often, as he sacrifices for the good of the team. Started the game as a RB, giving consistency and security in the defensive line. Great for him and for the team, but the real monster is when he plays up front. Once he moved ahead in the second half, the story was different. Downloading balls, distributing, assisting and generating chances. Give the 1-3 to Marco (missed) and he missed as well the 1-3. We need him pumped for the last games.

Pat 7: Cold. Started really intense in the first half, being a constant support for Carlos in the right flank. Had a chance after a good movement, creating his own space, but the keeper save it. In the second half he played in he muddy side of the field (unplayable) so he took a more conservative role in the field. Without looking for many complications when passing, he was the perfect partner for Sean. Nobody could cross a air ball in his side. Game of sacrifice for the tower.

Alex 6: Fresh blood. Took time for him to adapt to Pagewood's system. Also he played in 3 different positions. RW, ST and in some moments LB. Too many mambo for a player that didn't know his team mates properly. Even with that he offered fight and attitude when he was on the field.  Strong and powerful was hard to pass him when acting as a defender. 

Marco 9: Pitagoras. Slowing down one gear, he found triangles everywhere. George and Ian kept him in position when defending. Better in the second half, he scored after a good combination with Carlos. Always with the ball on the deck, punished the left flank with Vlad and Carlos, good communication and unpredictable, he was a important piece in the midfield play in one step closer with Ross and Jack. Missed the 1-3 after a great contrattack and a killer pass from Jason.

Carlos 9: Hulk. Another game and another display of power, sacrifice, pressure and today goals. First one from a penalty that he provoked himself, the second after a nice turn around inside the box, and in between he had time to give an assistance (5th) to Marco. Ambitious, generous and dynamic, always pushing from the flanks and being a reference in attack. He could had scored the 0-1 in the first 10 min of the game