Larv Itars first match

[Bearen]

It's Minor League Matchday and Krung Thep are preparing to step out onto the field. A couple of friendly games have been played and Larv Itar is just now beginning to understand how difficult it can be to change position. His nerves are high, but he is excited! The team have helped him out. His managers have helped him in his transition so he can be as effective as possible. A new tactic is being tried out. Something that should help with a little more defensive pressure. He walks out the tunnel, shakes hands with F.C. Kaapstad and prepares to kick off. 

The whistle blows and the game is underfoot. A quick pass from Machado to Apostle who knocks it forward to Bloodflame as he finds space. He's overshot it and Lovric manages to take it for Kapstaad. A minute of play passes and Kapstaad take a throw in. We push up as they pass it back to their keeper. He fires a deep kick to Donbra who heads it to Kupinas, who passes it to a charging Lovric. Our lines are a little high. A cross to Gorgon as Mcgary attempts to get to the ball. He knocks it away, but Kapstaad are right back on us. The pressure is insane and we are only two minutes into the game. They cross it into the box and we are able to knock it away. Stro attempts to start the counter attack, but their midfield is strong and they counter us right back. Our defensive line is all over the place as no one knows who to mark and Dohbra manages to knock it into the net. He was so far offside that you could fit a bus in the gap. 



We manage to catch our breath for a couple of minutes and play continues. A goal kick for Kapstaad and away we go. They attack our right side with Gorgon who hits a slow cross into the box giving Plink plenty of time to get in Dohbra's way. 



Another goal kick for Kapstaad and this time they attack our left flank. Moff makes a daring run from the halfway mark and crosses it right into the box. Somehow Wentworth finds the only gap amongst 6 players and knocks it in. Larv was just shy of getting to it and is so frustrated that he was that little bit too slow. Definitely something to work on over the weekend!



Following a throw in from Plink to Bloodflame, Larv receives his first touch of the ball! He passes it to Wentworth and the defence tries to probe Kapstaad's lines and see where we can find a gap. We find Mcgary on the right side and he runs it down towards the box. There are too many Kapstaad players in the box and Krung Thep attempt to  maneuver the ball and create space. 



Apostle has a beautiful cross to Stro who knocks it into Bloodflame. He shoots and its deflected, but Al-Kazmi is there to head it. It deflects off Dewitt and Bloodflame knocks it in to finish. Krung Thep tie it up.



Immediately, Kapstaad launch an attack on Krung Thep and given the success of their last goal, attempt to run it down the left side again. Moff crosses it into the box and Dohbra manages to slip past Larv Itar and score a goal. Once again he is frustrated by the fact he is struggling to keep up with the pace of this game. It's a sharp learning curve coming into a league of this skill level.



Fool me once. Shame on you. Fool me twice. Shame on me. Fool me three times...well Larv Itar won't let that happen as Moff attempts to attack the left side again. This time though. Larv is ready and manages to get the ball off Moff as he attempts to cross it in. A quick boot away and we get it to midfield before Kapstaad reclaim the ball and attack again. 



An attack starts from Kupinas after blocking a cross. Itar and Wentworth sprint back to support Bufoon. Kupinas passes to Lightning who shoots at an awkward angle due to Itar being in the way. Bufoon is able to get his hands on it and knock it out.



They make it half time for some well needed Mango slices and holy water. As Itar takes a breather and thinks about how his first half has gone, he's pleasently surprised. He's managed to keep up with it so far.

After a fairly calm start to the second half (besides a rough foul on Stro) Itar has settled in. Following a good save from Bufoon, he rolls the ball out to Larv who manages to kick it right into Dohbra and back towards his own goal. thankfully they miss the chance by shooting at the sky.



A Kaapstad throw in is thrown deep and Itar takes it under control, passes it to Bufoon. It goes Wentworth, to Alpostle, to Al-Kazmi, to Plink. He passes it to Stro who crosses it upfield to Machado who was just offside. A fantastic run ended early.  



A throw in to Stro, who passes it back to Plink. It's then passed over to Itar for a 1-2 with Apostle, up to Machado and over to Bloodflame with a solid run into the box and he scores!. Krung Thep equalise!



Kapstaad immediately retaliate with speed and overwhelming force, and take the lead back. Once again a Kaapstad player manages to just get past Itar and score! This is his inexperience showing. He's where he needs to be, but just not quite in the right place.



Once again, Moff makes an attack, but Itar is wise to these runs now and makes a good block giving him zero space for a good cross. Krung Thep manage to keep the ball away again. Stro has space and makes a good attempt, but ultimately is unsuccessful. 



As we hit the end of regulation time, Dohbra makes a push and attempts to cross the ball in, but Itar gets to it. A pass to Plink who attempts to get it to Stro, but Dohbra makes the interception and throws it out to Kuprinas who knocks it forward to Ashworth who scores. 



Larv Itar takes the free kick and passes it on to Plink who passes it back. Itar kicks it into Apostle in space who runs up, passes it to Oliver who knocks it on to Machado who is fouled in the box! A penalty is awarded! Bloodflame takes it and he Scores!! Bringing the final score to 4-3.



Overall a good result, especially against a team as good as Kaapstad. It was definitely a learning experience for Larv Itar, but he had some good takeaways. He was top of the team on pass % with 96% and made 66% of his tackles. While his first game didn't have him doing anything spectacular, it definitely felt like a solid initial performance and something he can grow from.

[roquefort]

Really good media. I liked the use of screenshots to show the plays.

[Hero19]

Very nice work, good analysis and imagery to highlight key elements.

Media grade 5/5