Well after months of preparation, fight and hard work, the TU Porto debut was amongst us and their opponents would be the current #8 best team in the state TYSA White
As the game got underway, Porto were the sharpest out of the box on this early kick off and were quick to test the TYSA goal when Max W just saw his shot shave the crossbar and go over. After this however, TYSA flexed their dominance and for the next 54 minutes it was a show of excellence from TYSA. As TYSA dominated with their passing game, it left a lot of questions for Porto to answer, especially the one of determination, desire and drive. It had seemed that everything Porto had learned over the past year was thrown out the window as they failed to cope with TYSA. Even the defensive work recently covered in training was being abandoned for a gun-ho approach that was proving costly. Coach was at a clear loss as to the lack of fight Porto were showing their opponents and it was almost as if they were in awe and dumb struck by their opponents skill on the ball, movement, teamwork, attitude and overall play.
Needless to say, the opponents ran up a baseball score on Porto and left them with a harsh lesson to learn! FT 0-8
COACHES THOUGHTS
In soccer and life, we will always come across someone or something better than us. This is just life. But in that moment, we can either rise to the challenge or shrink away from it. Today, as good as TYSA were, we were equally as bad. We failed to give them the battle they deserved and the battle that Porto is more than capable of dishing out! As we make our way up the soccer ladder, we will find that the competition is quicker, can think faster and will be stronger. We must expect this and act (NOT REACT) accordingly if we are to develop and progress. Some boys need to spend time on their skills away from training, some their fitness, some their mental ability.. But no one on the team should go away from games and training and do nothing to master their skills and to perfect their art.. We win or we learn! There is no middle ground!!
