+- SSL Forum (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com)
+-- Forum: Player Development (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Forum: Capped Point Tasks (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=23)
+---- Forum: Articles (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=46)
+---- Thread: (ACADEMY TASK 5) FC Sydney wins its first match in a hard-fought encounter (/showthread.php?tid=5700)
(ACADEMY TASK 5) FC Sydney wins its first match in a hard-fought encounter - norththegreatestshowman - 2024-09-24
Roo Grounds, Sydney
A thrilling Prospect League opening match awaited us today in Australia with a clash between FC Sydney and the Victoria Fall Eagles. The home side took to the pitch today in a non-isometric 4-4-1-1 with Chris Williams playing theoretically higher on the right side than teammate Kel Varnson on the left. The away side, the Victoria Falls academy, chose to line up in a very classic 4-2-3-1 with Pope Thor supported by a second offensive line composed of the Canadian Sam Volta, the Israeli Elijah Cohen and by the Italian Rodiano Santorini.
The match got off to a flying start from the kick-off. Daryl McManus launched Chris Williamson down the right wing from outside the center circle. The Bhutanese player made a 20-meter run then took advantage of lax marking from Blanco to put the ball on his left foot and deliver a precise cross into the box. Thomas Hohehahn beats the Eagles' two central defenders with his header, but Sweeper The Keeper intervened at the last moment to stop the first shot... 16 seconds into the game. The local team continued its very good momentum and they naturally took the lead in the sixth minute.
After a good phase of play from the Australians, Hermit launched Rigby Emerson deep from his side of the pitch. The young Korean entered the opposing 16 meters, dribbled Felix Baur and delivered a low cross to Thomas Hohenhahn. The German then fell to the ground when he was about to receive the ball, victim of a possible foul by the English full-back Benny Blanco who came behind him, but the ball then miraculously returned to the feet of Emerson who easily score from his position.
The away team will have their first chance in the twelfth minute when Nelson gives the ball to Volta who finds Pope Thor in the interval, but his shot fails on the left post of Aguilerra III before being declared offside by the assistant referee.
The Kangaroos immediately counterattacked. Hermit appeared on the left side and combined with Varnson to approach the area. Pressed by New Zealander Ben Nelson, the full-back struggled, but delivered a cross into the box. Although marked by Calderon and Blanco, Hohenhahn, again, took advantage of his size to beat the two defenders and the opposing goalkeeper with an angry header and Sydney found himself with a two-goal lead just 13 minutes into the game.
Not satisfied, the Australian team continued to attack. Following an imprecise cross from Jordan Bamford, Varnson recovered the ball and passed it to Spaniard Andrès Pedrillo. The Spaniard then passed the ball directly to Emerson who turned to strike the ball, but his shot was stopped by The Keeper.
The Greens returned to the charge. After a clearance from Bamford, Ben Nelson recovered the ball 40 meters from the goals. He passes the ball to Banco who sees Sam Volta in a good position at the edge of the area. The Canadian receives the ball and instantly places a clear shot that is only stopped by Aguilera III's bar.
FC Sydney then stood out with several unsuccessful attempts led by Varnson (24'), Hohenhahn (25'), Varnson (25'), Pedrillo (26'), Varnson (twice, 29'), and McManus (30'). The rest of the half ended with a status quo, symbolized by an intense struggle in midfield during this period.
The locals resumed their assault on the Zimbabwean cage after the break. Pedrillo served Hohenhahn in the heart of the game. "The German Giant" then cleared his compatriot Felix Baur to attempt a strong shot which was narrowly deflected by the Victoria Falls goalkeeper.
The Eagles were trying to revive themselves. Rodiano Santorini launched into a series of furious dribbles down the right wing before crossing. Pope Thor then exploited his physique to jump higher than Bamford, but Aguilera III made a classy save in front of player number 9.
The Violets then continued with a new phase of sterile possession, with attempts from Hohenhahn (48'), Wellerman (55'), Emerson (55'), and Williams (57'). The good run of Sweeper The Keeper finally had to end. Bamford received a back pass and sends it to Andrès Pedrillo (64') in midfield who places a low shot from outside the area that passes no less than 8 players before finishing in the right net, bringing up the score at 3-0 in the sixty-fifth minute for the locals.
You would think that the score would have discouraged the Victoria Falls players, but that is not the case. Nelson and Thor (72') tried their luck in turn following a great collective effort, in vain. Emerson (83') then failed to score a double on a corner from Hermit which he received with a magical volley which brushed the crossbar. The match could have ended like that, but it was without counting on the resources of the away team. On a recovery from Nelson, Tightpants throws Cohen in depth. The latter, blocked by Bara, puts the ball back to Blanco who offers a lovely cross to Thor Pope (86') who just has to finish the action.
Unaffected by the injury to Sam Volta, replaced by Joe McMuffin (87'), Victoria Falls repeated with a recovery from Nelson. McMuffin then hands the ball to Thor who scores again. However, VAR intervenes and the goal is canceled for an offside which was contentious to say the least. Despite a last attempt from McMuffin in stoppage time, the score will remain at 3 - 1 for Sydney FC who stood out today with their fiery attack, but also their luck.
Man of the match : Rigby Emerson (8)
Honorable Mention : Thomas Hohenhahn (7.5) / Sweeper The Keeper (7.5)
Resume of the match
FC Sydney - Victoria Falls Eagles 3-1 (2-0)
Rigby Emerson (6', 1-0), Thomas Hohenhahn (13', 2-0, assisted by Hermit), Andrès Pedrillo (64', 3-0, assisted by Jordan Bamford), Thor Pope (86, 3-1, assisted by Benny Blanco)