Score 5-2 (win)
Summary:
Due to the lack of numbers by Edmonton Rangers who were unable to field a full team at the start of the game. This was more of a training exercise to work on techniques and for the team to experiment and try new things as well as using the old methods and tactics and perfecting them. The opportunity was missed by the team who had a very disjointed performance with many players leaving frustrated even though the team won.
Game Positives:
Jaden: The lynchpin of the team. Jaiden is getting better and better. Jaden made the game look effortless by doing the hard the hard graft for the team and playing quick simple passes to move the ball up filed effectively. Jaden as always was strong in the challenge but once in possession of the ball found the right pass. It is great as a coach to see his progress and his development of his technique where his efforts are now being rewarded by smart on field play highlighting his progression as a player. I think the next stage in his development is to make those defence splitting passes or to switch the play from left to right. Well done Jaden a tremendous effort and a well-deserved MOTM award.
Jaimie: One of the unsung heroes of the team. There are many games where Jaimie makes those critical challenges that save the team. Very dependable and hardworking and is able to pre-empt danger and intercept it. Jaimie has very good reading of the game which has helped the team when the opposition is bearing down on the goal. Although not stretched in this game he did what was required of him.
Michael: He loves to play in the midfield, but is EXCEPTIONAL as a centre back. Always strong in the challenge no matter the size of the opposition he will match their physicality. As well as this he is very composed on the ball and is able to bring the ball forward to link the midfield. Today he was also to bag himself two goals one from a corner which was nice to see our coaching on set pieces paying off. There was an altercation during the match between Michael and the an opposition team member. If Michael can avoid these incidents in his game he and the team will benefit. Definitely a MOTM contender with today’s performance.
Nelson: One of the most intense committed and hard working members of the team a man of action and very few words. ALWAYS works hard for the team. Today he made very few errors and was one of the star players of the team. Today Nelson was strong in the challenge and made the right decisions. Keep up the good work. It was a frustrating game for Nelson and the team but both he and the team still needs to remain positive and offer positive words of encouragement.
Matteo: Always wanting to improve and be better and once again unsurprisingly on the score sheet. Matteo is devasting when he is direct and attacks the opposition. Today he cut a frustrated figure by being unable to beat the oppositions offside traps due to them playing a high line. Matteo will need to find space and bend his runs in order to beat the offside trap in the future. This is something we can work on in training.
Dylain: An incredible technical hardworking talent who unsurprisingly took advantage of the opposition lack of number to help himself to a goal. I heard him offer encouragement to Jaden and Andoni but I did not see the midfield gel together as a team. Obviously Tyler was missing today due to injury which did not help things. However, there have been many individual performance by the midfield but not enough of a collective effort which is something we have wanted to see as coaching because the midfield individually are so talented.
Game Issues:
The victory was assured from the first kick of the ball during the match, however due to lack of cohesion the team were not able to take full advantage of this opportunity. Even though there were limited numbers from the opposition and Red Salamis were wining there was a clear frustration from the team where were of criticism instead of encouragement were used by the team on a whole. Going forward how the team communicates needs to change.
Room For Improvement:
Communication was clearly an issue in the game. The communication by the whole team needs to be more positive and less critical. This may also couple with the bonding and cohesion of the team because if there is not effective encouragement being communicated by the team how are they going to be able to play as a team. Going forward this needs to be addressed, against a full strength Edmonton Rangers team the result may well have been different based on today’s performance.