Finals Round 1 Review

VANDERLAY INDUSTRIES DEF. REAL GUMBIES FC 8-2

Scorers: Naveen Nadesan 2

Match Review – With the loss of two players, Andy and Craig the Gumbies Squad was stretched thin. Before the game there was definitely a lot of belief in the squad that we would give them a good game, similar to the week previous against Team Targe where we held them to a low total of 2 goals.

But problems quickly surfaced in the game and in general I thought Vanderlay was far too good with their counter attacking and finishing, while we lacked the goal scoring finese to keep up with them. I had chances but they were all saved by the keeper, and for next season thats probably what i will work on next. Their attack was good enough to score 1 on 1, and they had far too many good shots on goal. While I was keeping I had to keep out plenty of shots, but the defence should really block the shot.

Suffice to say we got beaten by a better team although Nav and Howie won’t admit to it yet – but the game today and their record shows how good they are.

Good – We’re getting better.

Bad – Indivually still got a fair way to go.

Round 19 Review

REAL GUMBIES FC DEF. TEAM TARGE 5-2

Scorers:Naveen Nadesan 5

Match Review – The Gumbies having lost 4 out of their last 5 games came into Round 19 intent on winning the last game at all costs to make the finals. And what a victory it was – all the discipline, concentration, hard work and determination throughout the 36 minutes of the game was paid off in the end. Someone once said – Where there is no peril in the fight there is no glory in the triumph. The Gumbies were disciplined and fought for every ball – it was not an easy game. While they had a lot of shots on goal and hit the post at least 4 times in the second half – we never gave them an easy chance. Everyone defended and played really well. We have to keep it up for next week.

Its a lot of hard work right now to concentrate for 40 minutes and not have the freefom to do what you want but play a team game – but we only have two matches now – lets see how far we can get.

Good – Defence was the best we’ve had for the entire season. We played like our lives depended on it. It paid off in the end, everyone was phenomenal. Our mental fortitude was excellent.

Bad – We got tired and let them have shots a few times and far too many could have gone in had they not hit the post. We have to defend even better next week against Vanderlay – it will be tough but there are only two weeks left. The finish line is near!

WE’RE NOT CONCEDING

Guys – we play Team Tarje next week and we are equal on points but above them on the ladder for some reason. Therefore we are not conceding a goal next week. WE ARE NOT CONCEDING. GET THIS INTO YOUR HEADS – I don’t care what it takes. we’re playing two defenders and one defensive midfielder. However the defensive midfielder does not double team – his job is to stand in front of the goals. Once the DM double teams someone near the nets, it opens up a massive gap.

Round 18 Review

BHS UNITED DEF. REAL GUMBIES FC 7-2

Scorers: Naveen Nadesan 1, James Wong 1

Match Review – BHS United was probably the best passing team we played, not surprising as even Vanderlay Industries and Drifters had problems with them. They played well for a full 40 minutes while we only matched them in the first half. Going into the break the score was 2-1 which kept us right in the game. They did have more shots then we did, but they didnt go in. The main problem in the first half was our attack wasn’t working as well as we could have. We had a few fast breaks but couldnt capitalise. Personally i thought i could have done better with my shots and passing on the fast break.

In the second half our attack was better, we made the keeper save three or four tough shots. Their keeper was definitely A-standard. However once again we let through far too many goals – we also let yet another calamitous goal through.

Good – Not much. People are getting fitter.

Bad – Our attack was poor in the first half but better in the second. Meanwhile our defence was better in the first than second. Guys, we’re letting in far too many goals lately, any ideas?

Judgement Day: Part 1

This is it fellas. THIS IS FUCKING IT!

We are fourth.

We have two games left. The situation is if we win both – we’re definitely in the finals. If we win one, as long as we win well and lose closely we have a good chance of making it. If we lose both – we are OUT!

Making the finals is important for two reasons.

1. Finals pressure takes the intensity up a notch. I bet that if we did win a final we’d be pumped for the next few weeks or so.

2. The other three teams in the bottom four are -
BHS United – probably don’t deserve to be there because they only joined halfway through the season and they are quite good.
Dragons – thrashed twice
Team Eric Li – whipping boys of the competition.

Tell me you’ll be satisfied with that if we finish with this illustrious company.

But we’re not in the finals yet. We have two games to play.

The first game BHS United – i haven’t played them before so Im unaware of what they are like – but they have won their past 4 matches including a draw against Drifters and a win against Vanderlay. We need to do as well as we can in this match – we need to try new tactics but we also need to realise if they aren’t working we need to try something else. I guess that means that some of the defenders have to be creative. If thats the case make sure you are in a position that if you stuff up, someone is backing you up. If you are the last person back – play it safe. Just do a safe pass. Attackers – shield the ball, take shots whenever possible, you never know they could take a deflection. Defenders – don’t be the first person to make a mistake. Let them make the mistake first – good advice from Howie, stand your ground, obviously some times a goal could get deflected but these things happen.

Defenders – Craig and Chris/Shaun a partnership, Raymond and Andy a partnership. Try and not cross over – always be in a position to accept a pass from someone. This means you have to run to a new position.

Attackers – Chris, Naveen, Howie and Me rotate. Shield the ball, take a shot, when you take a shot, u won’t have much time so just hit it with all you got, one step. no time to get fancy and prepare yourself for the greatest strike ever.

The second game – Team Tarje – this IS THE BIG GAME. The preliminary preliminary final – Team Tarje play Vanderlay this week, and as of right now are equal points with us on 47. This game will decide who gets to play in the finals the week after and I would hate it if it wasn’t us. Last time they played us they beat us 5-3. Our review last time stated “we had plenty of shots – but weren’t on target….. our decision making was poor…. sometimes we could have had a shot and didnt. other times we made the wrong pass” Time to get things right fellas – it sounds like we could have beaten them. we didnt score enough goals – so obviously they have a good defence. This means the defenders have to be prepared to run a lot this game to provide extra support AND ALWAYS running back to track attackers on the loose as soon as we give up possession.

Finally if you want to reply with tips – this is the time to do so. PROVIDE YOUR TIPS.

Nav’s Tip – Shield the ball. Play to your strengths – if you only have a right foot, use your right foot. You can stuff around at home.

Howie’s Tip – Wait for the attacker to commit. Don’t over commit yourself. Stand at a distance where you KNOW for sure you won’t get beat if he tries something tricky.

James’ Tip – Get back and help defence when they are undermanned. Play to the percentages – ie don’t try fancy stuff if you are the last person back – it will come back to haunt you. If you try it once and get away with it, you will try it again, and you will lose it someday.

Ref’s Tip – Don’t foul. ( I think we haven’t given too many of these freebie free kicks away lately so thats a good sign.)

Lastly – Sensible football, positional football, tactical football. Go Gumbies!

Round 17 Review

LUCKY STRIKES DEF. REAL GUMBIES FC 10-7

Scorers: Naveen Nadesan 4, James Wong 3

Yellow Cards: Craig Schnuriger

Match Review – There were problems at the start of the game, as we were really short on players, it looked as though Nav would miss the second half, and Andy was coming just to watch the game as he had a sore hamstring. But both Nav and Andy stayed to play the whole game, and allowed us to rest a player when needed.

As for the game we were in it for the whole match although usually a goal behind. Naveen played well and kept us in the game with his goals. Andy played well – thanks for coming on short notice. Generally everyone was really good – our concentration was far superior than when we played Eric Li. What cost us were the mistakes, the half second where we did lose concentration or made a wrong decision, for example sometimes we gave them a tiny opening and they would score. Lucky Strikes are a team with five really even players that are big, strong and good all rounders, but in my opinion – our passing and general tactics were better than them. We never gave the ball up – going back to the keeper when needed. They were also going in the back of the net for me which was good.

Good: We were 8-7 at one stage, and I think we all thought we could have pressed on and beaten them. Good passing back to the keeper and general ball play under pressure. Good passing from everyone to set people up for goals.

Bad: They scored straight away after we scored to take it to 9-7. We just need to look after the keeper better and. Another calamitous goal when Mond headed back just over Andy’s outstretched arms. We are averaging one bad goal a week guys. Its nobodies fault – we just need to put ourselves into a position where we don’t leave things to chance. Craig’s yellow card – apparently it was an elbow but the opposition player claims he wasn’t touched.

Next Week – Bhs United – a tough game – they’ve beaten Vanderlay and drew with Drifters in the past few weeks.