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Shanghai Shooters AFC vs |
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Oranje |
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Game Played 10/24/2009 11:00AM
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vs oranje
The Shooters headed into this weeks game against Orangje (The Dutch) with a depleted squad. In truth we took the field with about 9 fit players and a total complement of 13. It was a fact that we had more supporters than substitutes. On this note it was good to see both team captain, Jon Grant and Mikel Ubis turn up to support despite being out with injury - good commitment and well appreciated. In addition we were in the presence of club Chairman and founder John Jofre - always good to see him involved.
In a goal less first half first the opening twenty minutes belonged to the Shooters with the majority of the game being played in the Dutch half of the pitch. A few chances were created but nothing particularly clear cut. After 15 minutes Bernhard’s groin gave out and the Shooters reshuffled and brought on the already injured Zippy and the side was down to one substitute with 75 minutes to play. As the half continued the Shooters started to become a little sloppy and gave the ball away too cheaply too often. The last pass percentage took a dip and this allowed the Dutch back into the game as the half progressed. A free kick on the edge of the Shooters box saw a dipping shot from Orangje which Chris did well to flick over for a corner. In truth the Dutch never really looked like scoring but the game had becoming somewhat messy and lacking some quality.
Despite the scrappiness of the game the Shooters did create a few opportunities in the remainder of the half and in one 30 second spell brought 3 fine saves out of the Dutch keeper. In addition to this flurry of chances Roland was also sent into space after 35 minutes and was unlucky to see his stinging effort rasp against the upright and rebound to safety. The Dutch back line where playing very deep and not allowing much space and the Shooters didn’t really do enough to break this down. The few times we did get around the back the final ball did not have the right quality.
At half time the Shooters were urged to “go back to basics” and keep the ball more and get more width into proceedings.
Within a few minutes of the restart the Shooters opened the scoring. A well struck corner from the left hand side by Liese was hit with pace and dipped viciously at the back post where the despairing defender could not keep the ball from crossing the line. 1-0 Shooters directly from the corner.
There was nothing fortuitous about the second goal however. After 15 minutes of play, where the Shooters were again controlling the game, some neat passing ended with a ball into Junior. He controlled the ball with his chest and played in Jon Banks. A delightful turn which bemused the defender and a clinical finish into the bottom right hand corner from 12 yards for a 2-0 lead. This was a goal of real class and was something we needed on a difficult day. Well played JB.
Shortly after we went two up our trial player - Christian - had to go off injured. On came Paul Gill and we were now down to a bare 11. Until his departure Christian had played a blinder and was given the Man of the Match award by Dutch. Losing him in the centre of midfield and our third reshuffle of the afternoon lost us some momentum.
The Dutch came back into the game - much like the first half - and with 15 minutes to go pulled one back. From a defensive point of view this was an extremely poor goal to concede. We did not clear our lines following a corner and the ball found its way to a Dutch player who was about 12 yards out to the right of the goal. No one was marking him and no one went to close him down. He advance to within 7 or 8 yards and hit a cross-shot into the far corner. The Shooters should have closed him down in droves but we all stood off, watched and paid the price for our ineptitude.
The game bounced around from end to end in the last 10 minutes and while the Dutch thought they were getting back into the game they really didn’t cause Chris Banyard in the Shooters goal any alarm.
The Shooters ran out 2-1 winners on a day and the players on display gave a gritty performance although not one necessarily for the purists. Ultimately we got the job done with 3 points in the bag and we march on undefeated. I appreciate the commitment from the team - the atmosphere was good, we worked hard and won. Nice job and thanks.
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