2009/2010
the premier amateur football league in singapore
matchreport - 06-Mar-10 - hibs v. latini
Team
Latini
Author
Luke Diaz
line up
Tu - Price - Valseechi - Warreing - Bobbe -nDambre - Dotta - Diaz - Lucio (Weber) - De Maria
Latini back to winning ways on a scorcher
It felt like we were up against the odds going into this game on Saturday - considering: 10 Latini regulars were overseas/not available, a sweltering hot day (our inhouse meteorologist Thomas advised the temp @ 37,5C at SJI 15min before kickoff), only 12 players available, Latini coming off 2 x losses in a row and playing against Hibs who have a good record against us since joining the league. Nonetheless our boys were up for the challenge and ready to overcome the odds. Pre-match talk was about showing the same desire and commitment we showed against SCC last week, winning our challenges and dominating possession in this game. Even considering all the odds stacked against us the Latini management decided to play an attacking formation to try to keep the ball and game in the Hibs half with a 4-3-3 formation.
We started the game fairly slow, we had a good amount of possession but lacked urgency in our challenges and play and subsequently Hibs took the lead after 5-10min with a nice run down the wing and good finish. This was the proverbial kick up the backside that we needed and from hereon in we controlled the game in the first half. We had a fair amount of possession and attacked quick down the wings and through the centre. We managed to level the game shortly after, with an inch perfect diagonal ball from Fafa over the Hibs defence, Daniele cheekily lifted the ball over the approaching keeper and into the back of the net 1-1. We continued to dominate possession and created a number of good opportunities going forward, including shots from inside and outside of the box and another great effort from Daniele, a long range shot from the half way line that had the Hibs keeper beaten and only missed the left upright by less than a foot. In the end we went up 2-1 after a quick corner from Fafa to myself, I took a low shot at goal from inside the box which the keeper couldn’t hold onto and the Hibs defenders struggled to clear, eventually Poulet stabbed his foot at it and made it 2-1 for Latini. We carved out a few more openings but didn’t manage to convert them – we went into the break leading 2-1.
Second half, Hibs were trying to make life difficult for us and nearly managed to get an equaliser but Cuong Fu was up for the challenge. In the end we managed to score our goal by keeping possession and as Fafa likes to say multiplying the small/short passes. We kept possession for what felt like nearly 5 minutes, passing the ball from left to right, to midfield back to defence and eventually down the wing with a pass into the box and into the feet of Poulet who made a great cross field run into the box. He was followed by a tiring defender who made an unnecessary challenge from behind. The referee correctly pointed to the spot for a Latini penalty and Daniele stepped up to make it 3-1. By the now the heat, and lack of substitutes started to take its toll and our game dropped, first touch, decision making and passing were getting worse by the minute. Hibs were always in, touching distance and created a few half decent chances. In the end we managed to hold on take home the 3points.
Overall I think we deserved the win as we dominated possession and had the better chances in both halves. At times we played some good football and moved the ball around well and effectively, however with only 1 sub, sahara desert like heat and a Hibs team that never gives up, we had to battle hard to get the win - well done boys.
Man of the math is another tough one, some good performances from a number of players, the entire squad deserves credit for rolling up their sleeves and working extremely hard to get this victory and ensure we remain 2nd for at least another week. Extra credit goes to Cuong-Fu for keeping us in the game, staying alert and making the saves when called upon, Thomas ‘Der Bomber’ for helping us out, and having a good game upfront, myself, Adrien and Fafa for managing a 3-man midfield and dominating possession, Daniele for playing after long flight from China and scoring 2 of the 3 goals but my man of the match this week will go to Olive Poulet the chicken – for his tireless running, work rate, goal and winning the penalty that gave us a two goal cushion to relax in the second half.
Thanks to Hibs for a very fair and honest game, good luck for the remainder.
Thanks to Alex and his team, think it was a fairly easy game to control but still well done and thanks.
Well done Latini, good to get the result and keep our chances of a top 3 finish alive, all games are must win games from heron in…let’s keep working hard each week.
Oh by the way, countdown to Bangkok…less than 4 weeks away another football fun weekend for the Latini Warriors in Thailand…forza e onore, sempre!!!
We started the game fairly slow, we had a good amount of possession but lacked urgency in our challenges and play and subsequently Hibs took the lead after 5-10min with a nice run down the wing and good finish. This was the proverbial kick up the backside that we needed and from hereon in we controlled the game in the first half. We had a fair amount of possession and attacked quick down the wings and through the centre. We managed to level the game shortly after, with an inch perfect diagonal ball from Fafa over the Hibs defence, Daniele cheekily lifted the ball over the approaching keeper and into the back of the net 1-1. We continued to dominate possession and created a number of good opportunities going forward, including shots from inside and outside of the box and another great effort from Daniele, a long range shot from the half way line that had the Hibs keeper beaten and only missed the left upright by less than a foot. In the end we went up 2-1 after a quick corner from Fafa to myself, I took a low shot at goal from inside the box which the keeper couldn’t hold onto and the Hibs defenders struggled to clear, eventually Poulet stabbed his foot at it and made it 2-1 for Latini. We carved out a few more openings but didn’t manage to convert them – we went into the break leading 2-1.
Second half, Hibs were trying to make life difficult for us and nearly managed to get an equaliser but Cuong Fu was up for the challenge. In the end we managed to score our goal by keeping possession and as Fafa likes to say multiplying the small/short passes. We kept possession for what felt like nearly 5 minutes, passing the ball from left to right, to midfield back to defence and eventually down the wing with a pass into the box and into the feet of Poulet who made a great cross field run into the box. He was followed by a tiring defender who made an unnecessary challenge from behind. The referee correctly pointed to the spot for a Latini penalty and Daniele stepped up to make it 3-1. By the now the heat, and lack of substitutes started to take its toll and our game dropped, first touch, decision making and passing were getting worse by the minute. Hibs were always in, touching distance and created a few half decent chances. In the end we managed to hold on take home the 3points.
Overall I think we deserved the win as we dominated possession and had the better chances in both halves. At times we played some good football and moved the ball around well and effectively, however with only 1 sub, sahara desert like heat and a Hibs team that never gives up, we had to battle hard to get the win - well done boys.
Man of the math is another tough one, some good performances from a number of players, the entire squad deserves credit for rolling up their sleeves and working extremely hard to get this victory and ensure we remain 2nd for at least another week. Extra credit goes to Cuong-Fu for keeping us in the game, staying alert and making the saves when called upon, Thomas ‘Der Bomber’ for helping us out, and having a good game upfront, myself, Adrien and Fafa for managing a 3-man midfield and dominating possession, Daniele for playing after long flight from China and scoring 2 of the 3 goals but my man of the match this week will go to Olive Poulet the chicken – for his tireless running, work rate, goal and winning the penalty that gave us a two goal cushion to relax in the second half.
Thanks to Hibs for a very fair and honest game, good luck for the remainder.
Thanks to Alex and his team, think it was a fairly easy game to control but still well done and thanks.
Well done Latini, good to get the result and keep our chances of a top 3 finish alive, all games are must win games from heron in…let’s keep working hard each week.
Oh by the way, countdown to Bangkok…less than 4 weeks away another football fun weekend for the Latini Warriors in Thailand…forza e onore, sempre!!!
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