This match saw the return of SA to the side, after he missed the previous two Saturday games due to other commitments. It also saw some experimental positioning, as Alex was shifted into a more advanced forward role, while Weirong was moved to the right-back position. Ben took up the centre-back role next to KS.
It was a tentative start as the match kicked off late. Both teams were putting out feelers as the ball yo-yoed back and forth between both halves. "Spain" had a few good chances, but KS and Ben were resilient at the back and the frustration shown as one of their strikers reacted angrily to some disruptive play by the centrebacks and got booked by the referee for his unnecessary outburst. The half ended 0-0.
By then, grey clouds obscured the sky and rain pelted relentlessly down as the teams took to the field for the second half. Alex got his chance up front, while Hogan came in on the left wing.
The waterlogged pitch did no favours to either side and as tactics got thrown out the window, "Spain" grabbed a deserved lead. A quick through-ball over the top and their striker put it past Jackson to make it 1-0. Heads sagged, but before long, an elementary mistake by the "Spain" keeper from a cross by JQ allowed Hogan to nip in and grab an equaliser. This was the catalyst for more attack-oriented play, but "Spain" gave the left-back some real problems as the defence played a high line, and punished us with two goals in quick succession, even if one of them seemed a little fortunate.
The rain had slowed to a slight drizzle, and spirits were lifted as Alex steered in a cross from the right after Reubs had shown great vision and released KR down the flank. He showed his speed as he sprung the offside trap and slid a low cross to a grateful Alex, who calmly stroked the ball past two defenders and into the net.
And not surprisingly, we got right back in it. Another through ball by Reubs to KR, who broke free and attempted to round the keeper, who stuck out a leg and steered the ball out for a corner. KR took the corner, and screwed it up awfully, but a fortunate deflection saw the ball come back out to the flank. A pinpoint cross found a leaping Hogan, who sent in a looping header which dropped under the crossbar and into the net.
3-3, with 5 minutes of the game remaining.
Alas, it was not to be as "Spain" broke out of defence and some confusion in our defence allowed them to steal a fourth at the far post.
By then it was too little, too late as we fell 3-4, but the performance was heartening as we played well and the cohesion and adaption to the new formation and tactics shone through the gloomy afternoon.
Monday, April 14, 2008
