Ironically I accepted Match Report duty for Cheongju, the same team that I (think I) incorrectly labeled Chungju last time. . . here's the report as posted on the Han River forum.
*********************************
Cheongju vs. Spitfires -- Match Report
On a fine second day of spring, the Han River Spitfires hosted Cheongju at their home pitch in Apgujeong.
In the two previous match ups between these Division 2 powerhouses, each team took home a win, and, a loss. Wanting to recapture the honor of the first victory, the Spitfires started the game blazing hot. From the get-go Han River pushed Cheongju back into their defensive third where they remained until the nil-nil score was broken. This did not take long.
After a few botched attacks, the Spitfires forced a quick turnover deep in Cheongju territory. Spying an opportunity, Joseph went with the quick restart, dropping a beautiful ball right at forward Jun Ho's feet. On the subsequent touch Jun Ho delivered a squeaky clean ball into the side netting, just out of the opposing goalkeeper's reach.
Spitfires 1 Cheongju 0
Though Cheongju was given the ball at the restart, they were barley able to maintain possession long enough to string together a respectable attack. With a solid line in back, and midfielders marking up on extra men, Cheongju was lucky to simply get the ball in Spitfire territory.
Not long after the opening goal, Sun made a few adjustments to the lineup, notably, bringing the All-American Doug on to the field at a crucial time. With his first touch of the day Doug won a huge header sent well across the field by Cheongju's goalkeeper. On the following play, our Big Man, found himself buried deep in the opposing box as Joseph wound up for yet another deadly laser. With an obvious height advantage, Doug was able to field the ball and drop it delicately at the feet of Hwi Soo, who, without hesitation, blasted a rocket in between a terrified goalkeeper and a helpless near post.
Spitfires 2 Cheongju 0
Unfortunately, somewhere along the line, the Spitfires decided that two goals was a cushy enough pillow to sleep on. They couldn't have been more wrong. It didn't take long for a heated Cheongju to exploit the Spitfires obvious lethargy. Thankfully, goalkeeper Don Shin had other plans as he thwarted more than one Cheongju attack with incredible saves of what could have easily been a pair of equalizing goals. Unfortunately, in typical Spitfire fashion, what should have been an easily defended throw-in turned in to a deal breaker for the clean sheet as a loose ball ricocheted around the box and passed "HanDS's" out stretched limbs.
HALFTIME Spitfires 2 Cheongju 1. . . 'the most dangerous score in soccer'
Kicking off in the second half, the Spitfires were challenged by having both the sun and wind directly in their faces. Yet, despite the unfavorable conditions, Han River managed to come out with a ferocity needed to fend off the second ranked Cheongju. For what seemed like an eternity, both sides battled back and forth with nothing to show.
Then, out of nowhere, on what should have been a routine corner kick, an unmarked Cheongju played managed to rise from the scrum uncontested. When an opposing player goes up without a defending body with him, well, we all know how that turns out. A fine header found its way in to the back of the net, not at the fault of our dear keeper in the slightest.
Spitfires 2 Cheongju 2
Not long after Cheongju tied the match, they decided that a change of pace would be in order. While intentions are yet to be determined, a brutal collision in Spitfire territory took out star sweeper Ammar, leaving him incapacitated for the remainder of the game. Nervous but excited to fill the role, Adam dropped back from stopper to play in the land of 'the last man.'
As the clock ticked down, all efforts seemed to be on 'not losing,' rather than actually winning. Then, just when it seemed like a draw would be inevitable, Jun Ho turned on the jets that he had until that point been harboring all season. Blowing by the opposing defensive line, Cheongju was left with only one option: take him out. Half a yard earlier and it would have been a free kick but, with such speed, Jun Ho managed to get himself into the box before going down from a vicious attack.
As the sarcastic chorus of "Hey Adam, get up there and take it" died down, Joseph calmly stepped up to the plate, ready to finish off the late Cheongju. It was evident from his poised demeanor that he had put his last penalty kick, an easy save, far behind him. Even a lucky guess by the keeper to dive left couldn't stop a low corner shot that sealed the deal in Apgujeong. With the go ahead goal on the plate there was no letting up for the Spitfire defense who held off a weary Cheongju in the game's final minutes.
FINAL SCORE Spitfires 3 Cheongju 2
While the Spitfires will have to put their winning streak on hold for next week's bye, it will certainly be a well earned rest after a grueling, but exciting, Week 4!!
*********************************
P.S. We were predicted to lose, by a lot.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment