socceroos 1 vs. rollers 2

Date :
01-11-2008 14:10


Arena :
socceroo Arena
Crowd:
11040

11040 punters turned up at socceroo Arena, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came.
socceroos decided to use a 3-5-2 set up.
The following players took the field: Alcazaba - Marín Valle, Pompei, Trãistaru - Irlius, Oud, Caranza, Suokko, Zavala - González, Skansen.

Rollers decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. The following players took the field: Pitzek - Armaño, Luft, Habla - Haapasalo, Ahi, Ruiz, Truszkowski, Schockaert - Vītolds, Henriksson.

socceroos used their skill at pressing to cut off the attack angles of their opponents all over the field. socceroos pressed their opponents, causing the game to be a bit of a stalemate at times. Witold Truszkowski came close to putting the visiting team one up in the 26:th minute, following a solo raid down the middle, but Saúl Alcazaba managed to tip the ball to a corner. In the 27:th minute, there was a bit of a mixup on the field as Rollers found themselves out of position and their organization level dropped to passable. socceroos's ability to press their opponents all over the field paid off frequently. Rollers's Gerrit Schockaert gave the visitors a 0 - 1 lead in the 29:th minute with a superb strike from the right. It was 0 - 1 at the break. Neither team was controlling the action at this point in the match.

Rollers's coach had an extra briefing during the break, and after that his players had solid organization. Rollers came close to extending their lead as Eero Henriksson delivered a long range shot from the right in the 71:th minute, but the angle was too narrow and the shot went harmlessly into the side netting. In the 78:th minute, Rollers seemed a little tentative in their play as their organization fell to solid. Daniel Ruiz increased the visitors' lead by putting a volley shot away on a pass from the right. 0 - 2. socceroos reduced the lead to 1 - 2 in the 81:th minute when Agripino Caranza got the best of a ball floated in from the left. The game was a stalemate so far, with possession split evenly between the teams.

socceroos's best player was Marco Skansen. However, Humberto Oreste Pompei made a disastrous appearance. The most dominating Rollers player was without a doubt Daniel Ruiz. Gints Vītolds was a disappointment, however. The match ends 1 - 2.

Highlights
0 - 1
Gerrit Schockaert
(29)
0 - 2
Daniel Ruiz
(80)
1 - 2
Agripino Caranza
(81)

Today's statement was clearly too defensive. While the strong midfield of the guests was neutralized, our real strengths in the attack had too little coverage. This game would be won!