Introduction:
Matchday 5 was played at SIA Alzira‘s home field hosting C.D. Olimpic Xátiva ‘B’. The SIA Alzira team took the field this week with several international athletes participating in SIA Academy‘s Next Gen Soccer Pro program in their starting lineup. The team also implemented new organizational tactics that allowed them more freedom to create plays. SIA Alzira showed a significantly more dominant and offensive performance this week, but it was not enough to swing the match in their favor.
Match Overview:
The match started off great for SIA Alzira, the newly implemented tactics allowed the team to close down the other team’s offense and provide a structured transition into attack. SIA Alzira had trouble finishing in front of the goal during the early minutes of the half but the opponents, Olimpic Xativa ‘B’, were unable to create any offensive threats. SIA Alzira maintained much of the possession and goal attempts during the first half until the 40th minute when an unclear call from the referee gave the visiting side a penalty. The opposition scores their penalty and the half ends there.
With a goal down, the SIA Alzira team became even more animated for the start of the second half. The team applied some strategic changes, bringing fresh legs and more offensive options to their attack. The changes worked to perfection, SIA Alzira started the second half dominating possession and creating dangerous scoring chances. Although without any luck in finishing, SIA Alzira continued to create chances and present danger in front of the box.
In an effort to have more people up front, in the 55th minute there was a counterattack initiated by the opposing team that caused a collision between the SIA Alzira goalkeeper and the rival striker, causing another penalty and C.D. Olimpic Xàtiva ‘B’ scored.
Despite being behind on the scoreboard, SIA Alzira did not back down offensively. The team continued to put pressure on the rival goalkeeper. During the last 20 minutes of play, SIA Alzira continued to create scoring chances, taking advantage of their wingers to open the game and make crosses, again without success.
MVP:
The MVP of the 5th matchday for SIA Alzira was Fernando Chinchilla, who dominated the midfield creating great defensive saves and offensive chances. The second MVP was Bernat Rios, who made his debut as a central defender and continuously disrupted the rival attacks.
