Good news bad news

Another tough training session, after warm up, we had a "complete the cross" drill, with the coaches sending in the crosses. I couldn't convert any of them first time and this would feature later. Then it was on to circuit training with four stages of varying degrees of difficulty, the most difficult of which was running a zig-zag shuttle run touching cones on the ground while jumping to head the ball back to the coach on one side of the run. My legs felt like deadweight when i finished this station, and i still had to do the slalom course. Was bushed by the time we hit the match, and the coaches decided to play a longer match (no crunches)!

J and S took centreback positions and they did well, covering each other and moving quickly to cut off any threat. I had wanted to take rightback but someone took it, similarly for leftback. We had a really good central midfielder (defense/offence) who combined very well with another malay chap who was also good at holding and spreading the ball. We had young wingers on each flank with the ability to run all night (just lacking the foresight to make that final pass or shoot decision), so i was forced up front, based on the proviso that i would hold the ball up for the runners to run on to.

The first half we dominated, with each attack coming from different directions and runners, and passes being incisive and through. Their defence was pretty static, so all we had to do was make a second pass inside their box to draw them out of position. Out of the chances we created, i ran on to one through pass and drew out the keeper so i squared the ball, only for my rightwing to fluff it past the post. Towards the end of the half, i played a one-two with a midfielder, and thankfully he saw me run through so he threaded it and just turned and shot with my left foot. The ball floated over the oncoming keeper and went in at the far right post, hitting the inside of the side netting.

The second half was more even, as our guys did less passing and more running, so more turnovers. I managed a couple of shots on goal from corners, but blazed them all over. Then our rightwing got a break (ball bounced and stayed in from a long clearance and he chased) and sent a great cross over, which i should have headed (maybe diving) but instead i tried to volley it but mistimed it only to send it straight up and into the keeper's arms. Was ribbed about that miss later LOL, and in the end it didn't matter because the score stayed 1-0. =)

Good training session

First training after the holiday break and the coaches were tough! After the warm up, we did circuit training soccer style, between the 3 stations of dribbling (slalom, figure 8 and figure 4) and 1 station of shooting (also with feet drills before) and we also did a drill involving throw in with a thrower, a defender and a striker, and variations on returning the ball. The latter drill was quite interesting and it is difficult to defend a throw in, especially when it is training and i don't really want to get physical with my nice team mates. Some other groups (like the one J was in) was not so kind and was even told off to the extent of "if you do that in a match it is an automatic yellow card".

The match itself was good although J and I were in different teams. Started off at rightback and managed a few overlapping runs (even encouraged by the coach to keep running on lol) and won a corner, from which i sent it in for a tap in, chalk one assist! My team had a stronger midfield with an attacking and a defending pair that locked down the midfield such that J's team couldn't get past the second pass. After a stint at centreback with lots of panicky moments, i took my turn in goal although i didn't have to do much, save for one cross which i cut off midair. Good session for me with little positive points adding up. =)