Final Quarter heart ache, after great start!
Would just like to say how well the boys played for the first three quarters, we more than matched our classy opposition in Sao Paulo, and it was anyone's game going into the final quarter. The all important next goal went to them, and unfortunately this saw our heads go down, and this is one thing you can't do against such good sides. This tough league is so unforgiving and the boys just need to try keep focus for the full 50 minutes. Apart from odd quarter here and there we have competed well in this league campaign, keep working hard lads, KEEP YOUR HEADS UP and lets try and get a couple more wins before the end of season. The improvement in effort and determination was there for all to see after last weeks disappointing performance.
First Quarter - Sao Paulo started the game well, and had the better of early exchanges, some nice passing football resulted in a shot going wide and a good save from Aaron. Josh, James and Josh were all scrambling well at the back. Our first attempt at goal came on 7 mins when Dylans shot was saved comfortably. Good pressure by Dylan & Joseph led to the keeper picking up a back pass on ten minutes. Referee incorrectly told Dylan he had to pass, which was wrong as all free kicks are direct at mini soccer level, not too worry as we scored from it anyway! Joseph got a touch on the free kick which was blocked on line then we hit the bar, and then from scramble Elliotts shot was deflected in from the defender. A minute later and Elliott just hit his shot wide. End of 1st 1-0 Guidepost.
Second quarter was entertaining end to end stuff with some nice passing football on show from both sides, Elliott, Joseph and Dylan all going close, while Aaron had to make some sharp saves, and the defenders were working hard to close down the Sao Paulo attackers. End of 2nd Quarter 1-0 Guidepost.
We were hit with a double blow in third quarter, and just a momentary lack of concentration got them the equaliser, a good cross ball came right to far post and unfortunately we had drifted out of position and the winger was free to shoot in off far post. Two minutes later, and unfortunately for Aaron a miss hit goal kick was punished expertly, with the striker perfectly lobbing Aaron. The boys though gritted their teeth and responded well playing some good stuff. Elliott was tripped a little way outside the box, and he struck the resulting free kick nicely, and this was deflected in for the equaliser. We now were the stronger side, Elliott breaking well and getting a strong shot away which the keeper did very well to keep out, the ball came to Josh and it looked like he would score, but some how just managed to put it over the bar! We had a couple more shots as we finished the quarter well. Aaron and the defence working hard at the back.
Last quarter, and the next goal was always going to be vital, and unfortunately it went to Sao Paulo, again problems with the goal kick led to them getting the goal, we need to look to taking the goal kicks from a wider position, this was tough on Aaron who had made a lot of good stops to keep us in game. This time we didn't seem to have the determination to come back as they started to dominate, a nicely worked fourth goal was followed by a goal in the last second when we had just switched off defensively. Josh, Dylan and Elliott all put pressure in final quarter on the Sao Paulo defence, but they held firm.
A good performance in an entertaining game v good opposition, was just let down by a poor last quarter, but again we showed enough to think we can get something out of the reverse fixture in a couple of weeks. Making substitutions was very difficult today as everyone tried so hard, and no one deserved to come off, and end of the third we really were struggling to decide who to miss the start of fourth quarter.
A good performance from all, but two players for me were vying for the man of the match award, Dylan asked to play in midfield worked really hard and made a lot of key tackles, and got us going forward, this extra support in the middle allowed Elliott to have a much more attacking game than of late, and he took advantage of this well scoring two goals, and playing well throughout. The Sao Paulo coach giving the decision to Elliott, and on this occasion I am just going to agree with that, well played both of you and keep it up!
Training 5pm School field.
