On Saturday at 5:00 PM, the match corresponding to matchday 22 between Castellar Oliveral and SIA Academy was played at the Campo Municipal L’Horta. The final result was 4-1 against our boys, in a match where the scoreline didn’t reflect the equality experienced on the pitch. Despite the tough result, the match proceeded without incidents and allowed for an enjoyable afternoon of football, with intensity, emotion, and a visiting team that showed commitment and character.
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Match summary
The match started negatively for SIA Academy’s interests. Barely a few minutes into the game, after an unfortunate play, Castellar Oliveral managed to open the scoring. A divided ball inside the area fell at the feet of an opposing forward, who made no mistake and sent the ball to the back of the net, establishing the 1-0 on the scoreboard. This early goal conditioned the match and forced SIA Academy to react immediately.
Despite the adversity, the team didn’t collapse. With great character, the players took control of the match and began to dominate possession, showcasing fluid and combination-based football. The attempts on the opponent’s goal became more frequent, and the equalizer didn’t take long to arrive. After a great collective play, the ball reached our Next Gen, Alex Sonne, who, with excellent vision, distributed the ball precisely from the back. After a couple of well-executed through balls, the defense was broken, and the equalizing goal was scored.
With the 1-1 scoreline, the match turned into a back-and-forth duel, though SIA Academy continued to propose more attacking play. Lukian S., from the right flank, became a constant threat to Castellar Oliveral’s defense. With incisive dribbles and great speed, he managed to break into the area on several occasions, but luck wasn’t on his side when it came to finishing. The team created danger but lacked precision in the final third.
Second half: an unfair result
The second half began with another setback for SIA Academy. Just as the match resumed, the referee awarded a highly questionable penalty in favor of Castellar Oliveral. Despite protests, the decision stood, and the home team capitalized on the opportunity to retake the lead with the 2-1 goal. Rather than demoralizing our team, this goal served as a stimulus to keep pushing for the equalizer.
SIA Academy insisted with multiple attacking attempts, controlling the ball and maintaining possession in the opponent’s half. Tactical adjustments were made, and around the 65th minute, Daniel Farkas entered the pitch as the center forward. His presence in the opponent’s area helped the team stretch the field, creating more space and better attacking options. However, destiny seemed determined to work against our boys, as despite dangerous chances, the equalizer couldn’t be materialized.
As the match entered its final stretch and SIA Academy was completely committed in search of the equalizer, another unexpected blow arrived. In the 82nd minute, the referee again pointed to the spot, awarding another penalty to Castellar Oliveral. The penalty was converted, increasing the score to 3-1. With the team completely unbalanced in attack, in a desperate attempt to reduce the deficit, Castellar Oliveral capitalized on a quick counterattack to score the fourth goal with an unstoppable volley, sealing the match and leaving our boys in disbelief.
Post-match feelings
The 4-1 final scoreline didn’t reflect what was seen during the 90 minutes. Despite the defeat, SIA Academy showed a very high competitive level, with a clear improvement in play and dominance in many phases of the match. However, football isn’t always fair, and on this occasion, the lack of finishing precision and some referee decisions made the difference on the scoreboard.
SIA Academy’s MVP: Lukian S.
The best player for SIA Academy in this match was undoubtedly Lukian S. From his position as right-back, he was key both in attack and defense. His runs down the flank were a constant threat, managing to break through several times and create danger in the opponent’s area.
In addition to his attacking contributions, Lukian S. was solid defensively, standing out for his decisiveness in individual duels. He wasn’t responsible for any of the penalties awarded against the team and was a key pillar in the team’s defensive structure.
Another standout aspect was his mental toughness. After conceding the early goal, instead of getting discouraged, Lukian S. showed character and determination, motivating his teammates and maintaining a high level of play throughout the match.
Despite the harsh result, SIA Academy can take positives from this match. The team demonstrated quality football, game control, and fighting spirit, qualities that will undoubtedly bring better results in upcoming fixtures.
