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matchreport - 05-Sep-09 - hollandse v. hibs

Team Hibs

Author Tom Champion

line up

Burke
Elder (Azahar)
McManus
Tunners
Booth (Crellin)
Harvey
Corner
Kemp (Degeer)
Champion (Keong)
Wolff
Clark (Couch)

Subs
Degeer
Couch
Azahar
Keong
Crellin

PB for the Hibs

Hibs took the form of the previous week and put the disappointment behind them with a great result against the Dutch. Despite scoring 9 goals Hibs still need to work on their finishing as many a chance was squandered during the 90 mins and against other opposition where chances will be fewer we need to ensure we are taking them.

The balance of the team looked good and the on a smaller pitch than the PSA the Hibs managed to put much more pressure on the opposition. The defence were not troubled much but when called upon did so well. Most impressive was the ball worked out from defence and through the midfield, Dean in particular linking play well with Boothy well down the right. Plenty of talking and organizing from Matt and Tunners winning everything on the deck and in the air all match.

Going forward the Hibs moved the ball well and used the wide men and channels effectively. The first goal came within 2 mins as some good work on the right saw a shot rebound to Andy Clark to get his Hibs Cosmo account off the mark from all of 3 yrds out, good poaching. Tim gave the Dutch right back an afternoon to forget, turning him inside out delivering good balls in the front pair plus showing the best composure of all in front of goal stroking in 2 first half goals before an ankle injury forced him to retire at half time. Bastian was causing problems with his power up front as always and was rewarded with a fine low strike to score his first of the season. The best goal of the half was delivered by twinkle toes Corner, who played a one two before skipping past 2 defenders and casually dinking the ball over the oncoming keeper.

Half time 5-0 and the talk from Tunners was about keeping the pressure up and not sitting back in the second half. 2 subs at halftime, Freddie for Tim and Sofa for Clarkey who was suffering from a nasty stingray illness apparently. Second half started with the Hibs been a bit slow and the Dutch creating a few half chances but it was a quiet afternoon for Burkey in goal. Once they woke up though it was all Hibs again. Chances were aplenty and so were missed chances! For 25 mins the Hibs couldn’t hit the net for love nor money (except for a disallowed goal for Champion). Even the young legs of Adib and Ryan failing to finish good movement when in acres of space in the box. Eventually the floodgates did open and once Adib got off the mark there was no stopping him, with a 15 minute hat-trick. Ryan not to be left out managed to grab a late goal to ensure he was also on the score sheet.

Man of the match goes to Adib for a well taken hat-trick and hard work off the ball. Kempy's first half performance is also worth of an honourable mention, good work rate and clinic finishing.

All in all a good afternoon for the Hibs, thanks to the Dutch for playing hard but fair for the full 90 mins under the roasting sun and to the refs for a solid game.

Final words for Naka, all the best with the recovery from a nasty broken leg picked up the other weekend.