Round 7 Review

CHARGERS FC DEF. REAL GUMBIES FC 10-5

Scorers: Naveen Nadesan 4, Chris Honig 1

This was the first bad defeat we’ve suffered in the last month.  With only 6 out of the 7 expected players showing up for the game (Nav’s friend Faeez couldn’t make it), our team structure was in disarray from the kick-off and we never fully recovered. The Chargers jumped out of the blocks and playing aggressive attacking soccer – before we knew what hit us they had 4 goals on the board.  With extra confidence they began to attack with 3 or 4 men at a time, and we were simply unable to retain enough possession to put the pressure back on them.

To estimate time in possession, it was probably 70%-30%. They had an excellent passing game (including an insane cross, header and goal) and ran harder than the Lucky Strikes last week.  But to our credit, despite being completely swamped and out of position in the first half, we were able to even things up on the scoreboard in the second half (including a great goal from Chris, his first of the season).  The defence also got better at keeping goal side and blocking a few shots, and props to Ben for making some nice saves in his first attempt as keeper.

Well done also to Chris and Craig for keeping for the first time, and everyone else for their fitness in running the game out with only 1 sub.  However I think we really need to improve our goalie throws and develop a better passing game. We were too way predictable.

Also I take full responsibility for the poor first half setup. There should have been a contingency plan for playing with one man down. I was also guilty of running down the ground at the wrong times – a tighter defence was needed against the Chargers.

Round 6 Review

REAL GUMBIES FC DEF. LUCKY STRIKES 5-3

Scorers: Naveen Nadesan 4, Howie Leung 1

Review: Victory at long last! After three very competitive draws we finally converted our form into a positive result on the scoreboard, and 4th place on the ladder. The Lucky Strikes have definitely had the wood over us over the last two seasons but last night all of us were determined to end the duck.  The stand-in keeper should be made a permanent part of our team as he saved our bacon on more than occasion. He told me later that the improvement in our team structure and fitness was obvious after just one week. Another fill-in, Fayez, defended aggressively and used his solid body to thwart many attacks.

Even though it was easier with 8 players the entire team still ran out the game strongly with plenty left in the tank. One problem we seem to have had previosuly is slacking off toward the end of frames as the intensity picks up.  But last night it was the Lucky Strikes who seemed a bit flat and sloppy – gifting three penalty goals to the sharp-shooter Nav, who was dominant as always.

Special mentions to Howie, who ran himself into the ground as usual and scored an awesome goal (in top corner), Mond, who continued to present (and call) into space, and Chris, for helping down back with numerous tackles following turnovers in attack.

Round 5 Review

REAL GUMBIES FC DREW EASTERN VULTURES 5-5

Scorers: Naveen Nadesan 5

Review: With the help of a stand-in keeper and Nav’s goals we were able to draw another game. We are in some good form, however we shouldn’t take anything lightly, for while we have been unbeaten in the last 3 matches, we also haven’t won in 6 matches dating back to the semi-final loss to Vanderlay Industries. We are definitely keeping the ball and defending better, but we still need to think about how we can be dangerous in attack. Right now we are not that dangerous except for Nav.

Also the in the frame directly after the break, we were absolutely not good enough, conceding a 3-1 lead, for them to equalize to 3-3. I also noticed some people getting beaten far too easily by going for the tackle, and the opposition going around them. Don’t commit so early!

Conclusion: Lucky Strikes will be even better, so watch out everyone. But well done on the last few weeks all the same, keep it up.

Round 4 Review

REAL GUMBIES FC DREW BHS UNITED 5-5

Scorers: Naveen Nadesan 5

Review: It was just a good solid game in the end, the best thing about today was that as a team we played right through to the end. We only conceded 1 goal in the second half – the half court shot that really should never have gone in, but these things happen.

Naveen was a star once again with his valuable goals. There will come a day when defenders will mark him constantly, and the rest of us need to step up.

Everyone played a relatively good game I thought – lets try and concede less than 5 goals next week, we know that our record when we concede 5 or more goals is bad.

Conclusion: A fair result, the strikers were not threatening at all and we could have gone on to win the game. But we can’t rest on our laurels now, we have to keep going and play better so we get some wins on the board because I believe we are still operating at about a 6/10 performance.