The Soccer Blog: Report

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Tuesday, 19 July 2011

USA v. Japan Match Report

After twists and turns befitting a Broadway drama the curtain finally fell on the United States’ hopes of lifting the Women’s World Cup. But, it was the steely antagonists Japan who had the final triumph on this day, defeating the U.S.A. 3-1 on penalties in a heartbreaking storyline that was also appropriate to this year’s tournament.

It was clear that Pia Sundhage had instructed her women to go right after Japan and the U.S.A. started brightly with Cheney getting shots in the 1st and 8th minutes. Indeed, within the first 20 minutes Japan were finding it hard to get into any rhythm as Carli Lloyd kept trying her luck from distance and the U.S.A. had already racked up seven shots. Hardly any of them were on goal however and squandering chances quickly became the theme of the first half from the Americans’ point of view. The best chance of the half came when the immense Wambach blasted against the crossbar with her left foot from 20 yards out. Scores were level at the break but Japan were slowly working themselves into confident passing and possession play.

After the interval Alex Morgan replaced Cheney who had picked up an ankle injury and the substitute made an immediate impact, going close but hitting the woodwork again from close — it seemed the Americans were doing everything they could to score but failing to capitalize again. Japan were asserting themselves now and showing the world why they earned the ‘giant-killer’ nickname as they whipped in a corner on 56 minutes that zipped dangerously past Hope Solo’s goalmouth without anyone there to apply the final touch.

The game was end to end with both teams pressing and possession at 50% each when the breakthrough came for the Americans. The very impressive Rapinoe got hold of the ball deep in her defensive end after a Japanese attack and picked out Alex Morgan, the lone counter-attacking player with a 60 yard ball. Morgan, only 22 years old, got around her defender skillfully and showed real class by running onto the pass and finishing with aplomb in the bottom right corner past the diving Kaihori.

The lead only lasted 12 minutes as Japan equalized on the 81st minute and made the Americans rue all those missed chances in the first half. Miyama hit home after the two American centerbacks made a hash of clearing out of their 6 yard box. Japan were fully deserving of their equalizer and had earned the extra time.

In extra time, the U.S.A. continued to exploit their size and try the long ball strategy when on the 104th minute, the talisman Wambach scored surely what would be the winner. Morgan beat her defenders in the box near the byline and crossed superbly to the flat-footed Wambach who only needed steer the ball with her head into the back of the net.

Surely this is what World Cup glory tastes like? Surely this was the time for Wambach’s generation to stop being jealous of the Hamm generation and lift the cup for themselves? Japan had other ideas.

The never-say-die Americans conceded once again to the never-say-die Japanese and we were all level at 2-2 with penalties an inevitability. Morgan was brought down just outside the 18 by Iwashimizu but her dismissal by the referee could have but little impact because it came so late.

Before the penalty phase the Americans must have felt confident with Hope Solo having such a formidable presence in goal, but putting the ball in the net turned out to be their undoing. Shannon Boxx, Lloyd, and substitute Tobin Heath all missed their penalties and Japan would never look back. Wambach netted her chance, but once again, misses cost the United States.

Full credit to Japan, a team rocked by personal loss and adversity given the earthquake and tsunami disaster was able to surmount 1-goal deficits twice on the world’s biggest stage against the world’s best team.

Written by: Tom Yonker, WWC correspondent, soccerprose.com

View the original article here

Saturday, 7 May 2011

Academy 5 v 0 Leeds Utd - Report

Academy 5 v 0 Leeds Utd – Report - The Offside - Manchester United blog

« Who Will Be the Kings of Discipline? | Home | Academy 5 v 0 Leeds Utd – ReportBy: Ian R | May 7th, 2011
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U18s 07-05-11 On a day when very little mattered in terms of result, United produced an exciting, well drilled performance against a young, inexperienced Leeds United team that simply couldn’t compete. Paul McGuiness fielded a strong team with the youth cup final just around the corner. Michele Fornasier missed out due to an apparent hernia injury that threatens to rule him out of the final, so Sean McGinty moved into the middle with Tyler Blackett, playing possibly his last game of the season due to suspension, slotting in at left back. Larnell Cole has a dead leg and wasn’t involved today but he shouldn’t have any worries about making the final.

Within 8 minutes United had taken the lead after a lively start led to a corner that was headed in by Captain Tom Thorpe at the second attempt, it wasn’t the only aerial battle to be won by Thorpe today, he and McGinty were immense at the back and proudly dealt with any Leeds United attempt to get the ball over United’s defence.

Five minutes later, thirteen minutes into the match United had arguably sealed victory. Morrison, Pogba, Van Velzen, Keane, Lingard and Tunnicliffe all combined on the edge of the box to create an opportunity to get into the box. They pushed and probed in and out until Morrison was clumsily bundled over about 22 yards out. Tunnicliffe rifled the freekick into the right hand corner. It was a great strike from Tunnicliffe and just reward for a tremendous start to the game, his drive and determination were again at the heart of everything United were trying to do. The combination of Tunnicliffe’s drive, Pogba’s elegance and Morrison’s trickery meant United could arguably have dominated this young Leeds United team with just them and the defence. The trio have forged an understanding that’s rarely captured at any level, let alone this one.

Understanding is something this squad seems to have in buckets. It isn’t just the trio mentioned that obviously enjoy playing with each other, it’s the entire squad that appear’s to have a showy sense of trust in their ability and awareness. Credit must, I think, be given to the manager who’s methods are quite clearly getting through to the boys and giving them and the team the platform to go out and not only play and usually win, but enjoy their games and play with a certain confident swagger that rarely crosses the line into cockiness.

After a short halftime break and a well deserved goal for Will Keane on 54 minutes, it was now that United really lavished some skills and entertainment into the game. In a brief spell lasting a couple of minutes, Morrison was unlucky his shot from outside the box was deflected onto the post and out for a corner. From the corner Pogba was unlucky not to add to his ’spectacular goal’ tally for the season (I think back to Portsmouth in the FAYC) when his scissors kick was deflected over for another corner. And then from that corner a Will Keane header was cleared off the line which was close enough to inspire a semi collective shout for “goal-line technology!” from the stands. These weren’t the only chances created in that 15 minute spell after the break, but each attempt on goal and missed opportunity was sarcastically and benevolently laughed about amongst the players who were now just trying to fill their boots.

Then it was time for the introduction and return of John Cofie to typify the players’ enthusiasm. With Rio Ferdinand watching on from the sidelines (Rio would later go on to ‘Tweet’ that he had been watching and called it a “talent show”) the team continued to create chances. On 60 minutes there was an opportunity for Gyliano Van Velzen to capture a moment that summed up the camaraderie within the team. He (GVV) has failed to find the net this season and I’m well aware he’s faced a light hearted ribbing from the squad (as light hearted as it can be with 17/18 year old lads!). When he tapped in a rebound from a few yards out the entire team set off to mob him and congratulate him, I’m sure the players’ rapturous laughter was as sarcastic as it sounded and was as affectionate as it looked.

On 69 minutes Cofie had a shot parried to the feet of Will Keane who flicked in his 14th Academy goal of the season and was then replaced by Tom Lawrence after looking like taking a knock in the process. It was an impressive display of football and attitude from Keane who was a constant threat. On another day he could easily have had a hat-trick, but he also worked hard for the team tracking back if and when he lost the ball.

The scoring was over but the fun wasn’t complete. United continued to open up the Leeds defence and Cofie was unlucky not to be rewarded with a goal after some nice through balls from Lawrence. Cofie chased balls down with a huge smile on his face for the whole time he was on the field, his desire and his personality seem infectious and epitomises the United way. Barring a silly wreckless tackle from Pogba late on that earned him a yellow card, United’s performance was polished and almost flawless. If they can take this sort of form and zest into the final we’re surely in with a terrific chance of replicating the feats achieved by the squads of 53-57, 92, 95 & 03.

Team: Johnstone, M Keane, Blackett, Thorpe, McGinty, Tunnicliffe, Lingard, Pogba, W Keane, Morrison, Van Velzen.

Subs: Cofie, Lawrence, Sutherland, (Not used) - Leao, Ekangamene

So all in all a satisfying end to the Academy League season finishing in 5th position. After Liverpool failed to beat Wolves yesterday Everton take the title by a point.

Don’t forget, you can follow my match updates and daily United banter on Twitter: @Rimmerstweets.

Good Luck!

Some Related Man United Posts:Academy 1 v Everton 2 – Match ReportAcademy – Liverpool 6 v Man Utd 0The Academy BlogAcademy vs Everton – PreviewFAYC Semi: United 4 v Chelsea 0 (6-3agg) – Report

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Saturday, 23 April 2011

Academy 1 v Everton 2 - Match Report

Academy 1 v Everton 2 – Match Report - The Offside - Manchester United blog

« Academy vs Everton – Preview | Home | Academy 1 v Everton 2 – Match ReportBy: Ian R | April 23rd, 2011
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academy v everton 22-04-11 We knew United would be fielding a very inexperienced and younger than usual team today and expected to get beat, no one could’ve expected to see the brave and technically well put together performance as that we witnessed. With the regular Academy players on tour in Italy, Reece Brown, Scott Wooton and Conor Devlin were used under the ‘four U19’s (including 1 keeper) rule’ to protect and encourage their schoolboy colleagues. United were hugely and obviously at a disadvantage size-wise but, to-a-man they got stuck in and didn’t let the age or size of the Everton lads intimidate them. Special praise must go to Reece Brown and Conor Devlin for constantly talking to the team and helping the youngsters through the game. Scott Wooton showed off his Championship experience and marshalled the defence well until he was moved up front in an attempt to draw level later in the game.

Everton took the lead early in the game with a shot from outside the box that Conor Devlin probably should’ve dealt with but he fumbled it and Everton were ahead. After that I think Everton assumed they would have an easy ride and swarm all over United’s ‘kids’ and get a big score, it didn’t happen. United gave as good as they got although Rafael Leao looked a little bit daunted after being fairly clattered after twenty five minutes. Matthew Wilkinson and Louis Rowley were right and left backs respectively and were both marking and tackling well with the former having a storming second half performance. Jack Rudge looked comfortable on the ball, James Wilson tirelessly closed down the Everton defence as the sole striker, Kenji Gorre looked a little bit out of his depth physically, but technically his positioning was very good. Special mention must go to the performance of Josh Harrop, apparently just 15 years old, looked very very talented. His first touch was fantastic and his composure good too, he calmy stroked the ball round all day like he’d been playing at this level for a while.

United barely got near the Everton goal in the first half until Charni Ekangamene headed a corner over the bar just before half time.

United were more adventurous in the second half but still only managed half chances at best but they still looked positive and worked hard. Ryan Shields, Otis Khan and Ben Barber were handed their U18’s debut in the second half and the referee did his best to look after our youngsters and if I’m honest was a little bias towards United when it came to what he was adjudging to be a fould by Everton and a foul by United. At this level the referees do show more leniency and common sense than they CAN at higher levels but when Jordan Barrow launched a high two-footed challenge on Charni Ekangamene with twenty minutes to go I thought a yellow card was the least he should be shown. He chose to give Barrow a stern talking to and kept his cards in his pocket, at the time I thought the decision was lenient but acceptable given the circumstances. However, the referee then started brandishing yellow cards in the last ten minutes of the match for dissent from Everton players who were now a bit miffed that United were getting all the soft decisions and letting him know, a small but sometimes crucial inconsistency.

Everton scored a second after about 65 minutes through Anton Forrester before the exhausted James Wilson pulled one back for United after about 75-80 minutes to make the final quarter of an hour interesting. United couldn’t find an equaliser and were lucky not to fall further behind but can be more than satisfied with the display.

If these kids are anything to go by, United’s Academy looks like it’s prospering and it’s future bright.

Thanks to everyone who retweeted my comments during the game and thanks to the encouraging comments I received. I doubled my followers today! You can me follow me on Twitter @Rimmerstweets

Some Related Man United Posts:Academy vs Everton – PreviewAcademy – Liverpool 6 v Man Utd 0The Academy BlogFAYC Semi: United 4 v Chelsea 0 (6-3agg) – ReportNo rest for the Academy: Italy, Game 1