Introduction:
Matchday 7 of the second FFCV was held this Saturday with SIA Alzira taking on Castellar O C.F. Pobles del Sud ‘A’ at home. For this match SIA Alzira came out with a different tactical formation than usual, bringing in a 5-person back line. SIA Alzira also took to the field with 3 of SIA Academy’s Next Gen Soccer Pro athletes in their starting lineup. Although SIA Alzira saw a slow start to their game by getting behind on the score early on, the team showed true perseverance and level headedness as they soon tied the game and then went on to secure a 3-1 victory over their rivals.
Match Overview:
As per usual the match started off with SIA Alzira putting pressure on their opponents in the back half, making it difficult for them to set up plays and pass freely. Castellar seemed to have trouble adapting to SIA Alzira’s high-pressure system and would often resort to long passes to their lone striker in the front. SIA Alzira maintained most of the possession early in the first half and were succeeding in bringing the ball to the last ¼ of the field. Although often on the offensive, SIA Alzira seemed to have difficulties creating that last pass through on goal.
10 minutes into the match, SIA Alzira were on the offensive when a quick cross went behind SIA Alzira’s backline giving the Castellar striker a clear chance on goal and opening the scoreboard for the visiting team. Less than 5 minutes later, and keeping their composure, SIA Alzira earned themselves a freekick close to the opposing team’s box. The ball was crossed in, and the opposing keeper is unable to make a clear save, leaving the ball at the feet of SIA Alzira’s Bernat Rios who puts it in the back of the net and ties up the game.
Almost in direct succession SIA Alzira stole the ball from their opposition on their own half and set up a quick counterattack. A quick movement from Victor Caballero draws the defender off his line allowing Daniel Niño enough space to run behind Castellar’s defense and have a 1 on 1 with the keeper. Increasing SIA Alzira’s score to 2-1.
Now 1 goal up SIA Alzira used the rest of the first half to slow the game down and maintain their possession. While Castellar focused on retreating their back line and limiting SIA Alzira’s shots on goal, SIA Alzira tried to create more quick counter opportunities along the sides of the field.
On the second half the opposing side began putting more pressure on SIA Alzira’s own half. SIA Alzira kept the structure in which they ended the first half with, they maintained ball possession and attempted to create quick counter opportunities. Not many chances were created until the 90th minute. When SIA Alzira stole the ball from their rivals and quickly turned it over to the other side of the field where Santiago Hernandez was waiting to put another shot past the keeper. The match ended at SIA Alzira 3 – 1 Castellar O C.F. Pobles del Sub ‘A.’
MVP:
The MVPs for SIA Alzira during matchday 7 were Bernat Rios, who got himself the tying goal and later also got an assist. Fernando Chinchilla provided a great deal of defensive and offensive support in the midfield. Alex Sonne, an international Next Gen Soccer Pro athlete, did a phenomenal job supporting the team’s offensive tactics both as a left wing and as a striker.
