Intro
This past weekend the Amateur SIA Alzira team faced off against Catarroja C.F. at home for the third round of the second FFCV division. Although the results could have been more in our favor the SIA Alzira team has been showing significant improvements since their first appearance. Several of SIA Academy’s international Next Gen Soccer Pro athletes have had the opportunity of making their debut appearance so far this season and a few have even made the starting line-up.
Overview
The SIA Alzira team started their match slow on the ball allowing the rival team to pick up momentum quickly. Within the first few minutes of playing time the opposing team managed to get a counterattack opportunity by cutting in behind the defense. SIA Alzira’s keeper was there to deflect the first shot however a poor clearance attempt left the ball at the feet of the opposing team’s striker which led to SIA Alzira conceding a first goal. The team managed to regain momentum following the goal and began having better connections between the defensive and midfield lines. Although the team began gaining possession in the midfield, they were still having a hard time connecting with their attacking players. While attempting to equalize the score SIA Alzira gave away the ball in the opponent’s half late in the second half and the opposing team was able to capitalize on another goal opportunity.
The beginning of the second half saw no changes to the rooster as the SIA Alzira team started off significantly stronger than before. The attacking players were efficiently gaining possession and holding up the play, giving enough time for the midfield to come up and help in the attack. This newfound energy allowed SIA Alzira to begin winning aerial battles, 1 on 1 challenges and even begin to create goal chances. In the middle of the second half Thibault Pio, an international athlete currently part of SIA Academy’s Next Gen Soccer Pro program, made his debut for the Amateur SIA Alzira side. The fresh legs in the midfield helped the SIA Alzira team keep the intensity high throughout the second half but unfortunately no one was able to capitalize on their scoring chances.
The SIA Alzira side showed promise in their second half performance, winning challenges, gaining control of crucial areas of the field and creating scoring opportunities. From here the team is looking to minimize their own mistakes and improve their shot finalization stats.
MVP
SIA Alzira’s MVP awards included the performance of the main striker Alejandro, who did a terrific job at holding up play in the attacking half and putting pressure on the opposing teams center backs. Bernat, the keeper, who stopped several shots from hitting the back of the net. Giacomo Brunati, another one of SIA Academy’s international athletes taking part in the Next Gen Soccer Pro program, played the entire 90 minutes as a left back and went unbeaten defensively from his side.
