GRADED: Minors - S20 Match Day 2 - Paris Wins Big

[Summerstood]

After a thumping 6-2 win against Inter London at the Stade de Rêves, it was an away fixture against Cairo City that awaited AS Paris. Paris were the overwhelming favourites, but boy oh boy, what a match it turned out to be! Paris in true Parisian fashion started the game with a commanding presence on the field but it was Cairo who drew first blood. A classic counter attack from Cairo saw Sergej Nadj pass a lofted cross to the middle of the field to Zizou Lopta, who finished it beautifully to open his scoring for the season and against all odds it was Cairo City leading 1-0 after the first 15 minutes. 

But other than the one blip, it was Paris dominating the proceedings. And finally at the 33rd minute, Paris equalized from a Slab Header. Slab Head is a regular set piece merchant and when he saw Leandro Dybala cross in a teasing ball from the corner flag, Slab Head could not resist which had Paris equalize and the entire world was happy. Paris took the lead just before half time with a Ron Wince tap in. The Paris captain Angry Lizard dribbled all the way near the 6 yard box to see a completely open Rob Wince. Wince immediately got that short pass from Lizard who slotted it in to give the visitors a 2-1 lead before half time.

Paris went on with their business as usual from the start of the second half before Angry Lizard got himself injured in the 58th minute. And in came the Paris SUPERSUB replacing the injured Paris captain. Cairo could have used the next few minutes to bounce back into the game, but alas that is where the sheer difference between both the teams was clearly shown. And it was in the 77th minute that Paris buried the game away. SUPERSUB who was hugging the right hand side touchline received a quick pass from Dybala. Immediately after receiving the pass, they cut inside and drifted across the edge of the penalty area looking for a passing outlet. The young Japanese left wing back Ashito Aoi who was on the left side of the pitch made a dashing run towards the penalty area. Completely unmarked. SUPERSUB simply passed the ball to Aoi, who after just taking one touch to receive the ball and another to angle himself towards the goal BLASTED a shot which caught the Cairo keeper completely off guard, scoring the third goal of the game.

To make matters worse for Cairo, in the 89th minute Eric Belmont cleanly received a super long clearance pass from the CB McFootcakes. Then he dribbled all the way to the goal clearly intending to add to his tally of 3 goals. But once inside the penalty box he saw the CAM Habjanic making a run behind him. Seeing that Habjanic was in a better scoring position, Belmont unselfishly made a fantastic back pass to Vito who was more than happy to slot in the fourth Paris goal for the evening thereby making the score 1-4 in favour of Paris.

This win has now made Paris go up to the second spot in the Minors table just behind Montreal in Goal Difference. Here are some key stats for the match below:

FINAL SCORE:-- 
Cairo City 1 - 4 AS Paris

PLAYER OF THE MATCH :-- 
Ashito Aoi (ASP) --> 7.9 Rating | 2 Key Passes Made | 3 Chances Created | 82% Passing Accuracy | 1st PoM Award 

MATCH SUMMARY :--


XG :-

[Domffl]

Aoi already starting his Rookie of the Year campaign!

[Hero19]

I mean what a spectacular way for Ashito to make his name in his rookie season. Goals speak volumes mate and people are listening to what you're saying. It certainly helps that Paris have thus far had a very dominating season, 10 goals in 2 games is a statement to be made and could certainly mean the difference come the end of the season if goal difference proves to be something that decides positions. Regardless Paris are in a rightly deserved position.

As a Rapid Magyar player it's hard not to look upon Paris in a daunting fashion. I can imagine the other expansion team players are taking notes as much as we are, but it's certainly going to be an interesting watch one way or another and being the underdog is a preferred mentality of mine.

Best of luck with the remainder of the season. It's an interesting draft class what with so many new players coming through the academy and I'm hoping that our fellow academy players can really shake up the scene of the minor and major leagues.

Great article mate, very good analysis of the game and solid play by play.

tl;dr - Good work mate.

[CROney3]

Aoi Ashito. This league will quickly learn the name. And not just learn it, but forge it into the record books sooner rather than later. Paris will never be out of the match when Ashito is playing for the club. This player will go down in history as the 2nd best 3rd round pick by Uniao Sao Paulo/Paris! The first, of course, is Benecio Aguilera III. And then there's João Peixoto I guess up there, as well. Damn, USP is the goat at drafting 3rd rounders I guess.

I don't think people here also realize how much of a great addition Summerstood has been to the USP locker room. Since I've joined, management has been looking for users who show great activity in the locker room first, then will fit their player in as needed. You've been the goat in terms of activity and excitement since you've joined. Seeing this recap helps the rest of the league see how amazing you've been, so keep these up! As much as we want to keep you as our hidden gem, everyone else should get the pleasure of seeing what you can do. Absolutely love it, bud!