Round 3 - Bulleen

MATCH DAY EVALUATION

Match Day 3 – Bulleen vs. Box Hill Inter (Under 15 A’s)

Conditions: Perfect. No breeze, good turf, reasonable grass coverage, sunny and no clouds with a temp of 18 degrees. Pitch was very narrow and short + I believe goals are not regulation Height. Full size new artificial pitch was available but left vacant and we were instructed to play on the small pitch unlike all other ‘A’ league teams on the day. Perhaps in an effort to ‘limit’ us

PLAN: Team approached game to use very high pressure and high speed tactics, play hard but fair and contest for every ball every time whilst retaining control of the ball on the deck and fast 2 touch interplay

First Half: BH started well and Bulleen tried to contain forwards via man on man pressure and a spare sweeper. Team was being pressured by Bulleen who employed strong physical tactics to try to put us off our game. However, we gave as well as we got and eventually, our faster interplay and ability to pass the ball around crisply and quickly indicated a goal was forthcoming. BH scored its first goal 15 mins in with a fine through ball to Nguyen leading to a chip over the keeper. A second goal soon followed and Lee finished a fine switch of play by firing low and to the far post at a sharpish angle. To date, Bulleen had not managed to fashion one shot on goal out of open play. All players in defence and midfield were playing a strong, controlled game and despite the small pitch, our ability to move the ball and hit feet was very impressive. In addition, it seems the ‘penny has dropped’ as all balls in the air were contested strongly and eventually, it was evident Bulleen players did not even attempt to compete in the air. There was an air of despondency in the Bulleen team at half time exemplified by their coach openly berating a player when being substituted in full view of other players and their parents.

Half time score 3 - 0

Second Half: Orlando replaced Clark at half time and played wide left midfield with Bircham dropping into central mid with Becker. The team started the game just as they had left off at half time and 3 smashing goals by De Blasio exemplified the team’s power and commitment to push on. One goal by De Blasio where he picked up the ball and cut in to smash it into the far corner was worthy of a mature age players power and presence. Another spectacular piece of play was Bondoles retention of possession after a challenge in the middle of the park and his perfect through ball to De Blasio – wonderful vision. Nguyen added a 7th and after 3 games, De Blasio and Nguyen have scored the same number of goals in each game – great competition between them is evident and this is healthy for the team. After the score was 5-0, midfield and defensive players that had given there all were rested and the subs were used and all players that came on continued to support and work the game as had players that had been rested. This is one of the most pleasing aspects of this team – it is a team and we all play our part and there is excellent camaraderie in the squad. A lack of ‘heroes’ makes the coach’s role far easier. At the end of the game, all players and coaches shook hands and a begrudging ‘good game’ from the Bulleen coach was received. Their plan to ‘limit us’ on the small pitch had failed miserably.

Final Score 7 - 0


Overall Comments

Opposition: Little to say in a positive light. Had 2-3 players that exhibited some ability and had 1-2 strong defenders, but their structure (or lack of) and inability to pass a ball between each other, meant they were never able to mount a serious challenge. Forward play seemed to be based on pumping the ball long to players who weren’t that quick or strong to receive the ball in any case. I believe they had one shot from open play that went way over and all other shots were from free kicks. Their effort and commitment dropped easily after the first and second goal. Little team spirit was displayed.

Box Hill: The best team effort the team has displayed bar none. Ability to hold ball and retain possession was exemplary especially in light of the tight pitch. Defence was solid and let nothing through and was perfect in ability to clear and work ball through the midfield. I would like to see more goals from midfield and defenders and perhaps against Casey we can experiment a little to give players time to experience different positions (however, this depends on how we track early in this game - no risks will be taken). Structure and shape and ability to shift was very good but can still improve. GK was displaying better communication skills and was better able to switch play and come off his line. There is room for improvement but getting there.

Suffice to say it was the most memorable and best win I have been involved in and myself, the assistant coach and team manager and medical officer were ecstatic with the performance. I was very proud for them and the club – they are becoming excellent ambassadors for the club as a whole. Hard work, commitment to the team and the plan is paying dividends.

Coach: John Di Martino 13th May, 2009