Round 4 - Casey Comets

MATCH DAY EVALUATION

Match Day 3 - Box Hill Inter vs. Casey Comets (Under 15 A’s)
Conditions: Overcast but no rain. No breeze, good turf, good grass coverage, with a temp of 18 degrees.

PLAN: Team was asked to ensure no drop off in intensity and impact was evident. Game day plan was high quality and quantity of movement OFF the ball, two touch passing and play and use of the ‘cut in’ for wide midfielders and wing backs to overlap.

First Half: Prior to the game, the team was told that the bar in terms of intensity and effort and quality had been set very high given the performance against Bulleen. They were asked to ensure the same level of commitment and intensity was evident against what can be considered a lesser quality team. Given this, a silly free kick given on the edge of the area inside the first 5 minutes, lead to a shot on goal and a score for Casey. It was clear that the majority of the players had come with a poor mind set and intensity and desire for the game. All seemed to look to someone else to lead the way. After 14 minutes, an excellent strike on goal by Bondole levelled the scores before in the 21st minute, a cross come shot found its way into the far corner of the net and the score was Casey 2, BH 1. The team then squandered numerous chances to score including a tap in, two running shots on goal and two free headers from corners that were not well directed. After the second Casey goal, the team appeared to lift a little and this lead to the chances but placing the ball in the net, by simple play and accurate finishing seemed beyond them.

Half time score 1 - 2

Second Half: Coach, Asst Coach and Head coach at BH, demanded a better effort in the second half. The team had abandoned the team principles and rules and were asked to re-evaluate their desire and intensity. For the next 23 minutes, the play, movement and desire for the contest improved dramatically. De Blasio goaled to even the scores and two fine finishes by Nguyen low and hard into the net lead to a score line of 4 – 2. The smallest player on the field then scored with a fine header, strong and well directed. The last 12-15 minutes were uneventful as it was clear the result had been secured and Casey defended stoutly. Rotation through the team allowed all players some time on the pitch and all played their part. Casey had no meaningful shots on goal in the second half.

Final Score 5 - 2



Overall Comments

Opposition: A strong team physicaly but lacked ability to play the ball on the deck and make meaningful interplay toward goal. I was impressed by their team spirit and level of effort. They had come to play and will take points off some teams in the lower part of the league table. Last man defender was very quick and strong and impressed.

Box Hill: In contrast to last week’s excellent effort, one of the worst team efforts the team has displayed this year. Defence was reasonably solid and let little through and the two goals scored against us were essentially the only shots on goal Casey had in the game. Midfield played too many balls out in front of the forwards that were hit too hard or misdirected. Forwards were a step too late moving forward or wasted good chances in an effort to ‘hit the skin’ off the ball though this aspect improved in the 2nd half. In addition, interplay on the large home field seemed less incisive than that played last week which was surprising. Communication levels dropped as well and must lift.

A very disappointing day as it is clear some players still believe things ‘will just happen’.
This level of effort and work ethic cannot be presented as truly representative of who and what this team is and what we want to achieve together.

The two most important weeks of the year now loom for the team as a significant gap could be opened up on our closest rivals – IF we do the job!! After Whitehorse dropped 2 points against Doncaster yesterday, this coming Sunday is our chance to move 5 points clear of that team. The subsequent week, we play Malvern away from home and after the Long Weekend break; Malvern and Whitehorse play each other which could result them sharing the points.

It’s all in our hands now…………..

Coach: John Di Martino 18th May, 2009