Introduction
SIA Alzira finished the first half of their season in the Second FFCV division facing off against P.D. Ayorense in an away match. For this match SIA Alzira brough with them their roster of SIA Academy Next Gen Soccer Pro players but also debuted a few of SIA Academy’s U19 (G2) international athletes, some of which, like Lukian S., made the starting lineup.
Match Overview
SIA Alzira began the match holding possession of the ball and creating space within their own half hoping to build an attack from the back. Not being able to play the ball in their attacking half, P.D. Ayorense began to play long balls behind SIA Alziras defense. The first few tries were all stopped by SIA Alzira’s left and center backs however on the 10th minute the SIA Alzira defensive line pushed forward in the moment a cross was coming which allowed P.D. Ayorenses right wing enough space to shoot on goal and open the scoreboard. Understanding their main method of attack SIA Alzira’s squad made the required adjustments and gave them very little room to continue playing long balls.
This adjustment caused the match to become much more competitive, especially in the midfield where SIA Alzira would often steal back possession before going on the counterattack. This domination of the midfield allowed SIA Alzira to create passing lanes for its wingers across the sides of the pitch, stretching the field and generating dangerous scoring opportunities in front of the box. During the first half, several goal scoring opportunities were created but SIA Alzira were having trouble finishing.
The second half began as competitive as the last with SIA Alzira keeping their domination of the midfield and pressing their opponents as a unit, giving them minimal room to pass the ball around. SIA Alzira continued to expand the game by using their wingers to run the full extent of the pitch before crossing the ball in for a chance on goal. On the 70th minute P.D. Ayorense took the rebound from one cross and played it long for their winger that was waiting for the counter. This left him in a 1v1 position with SIA Alzira’s center back who managed to make the tackle, but the referee called it a foul inside the box and gave P.D. Ayorense a penalty.
The difference in score didn’t put down SIA Alzira’s players who maintained their composure and continued to find their way to the oppositions box. Immediately after the penalty SIA Alzira were back on the offensive when a ball was crossed in and SIA Academy’s Next Gen Soccer Pro international athlete Daniel Farkas, was there ready to receive. Farkas takes a shot from the edge of the box that goes past the keeper but unfortunately P.D. Ayorenses’ center back was able to clear the ball from the goal line.
Towards the end of the second half SIA Alzira’s coach decided to debut some of SIA Academy’s U19 (G2) players. Edgar C. and Mauricio D. both came on for the first time at the amateur level. Both players brought new energy to the tired defensive and midfield line but there was not enough time to majorly influence the scoreboard.
MVP
After a solid team performance, the technical staff of SIA Alzira thought that Lukian S. was the player who deserved the most mention for his performance as a fallback. Having started the game and played both on the left and right side, Lukian S., was a tough defender to get by and would often provide help bringing the ball up and starting the counterattack.
