VSP - Ragtag Rebels

(by Jelmer)

1-5

The game against VSP was the 10th of the season, and the first team that we met for the second time this season. Even though we beat them with 9 - 3 in the first game, we were not underestimating them. We know from last year that they can be hard to beat.

The start of the game was a bit slow, with inaccurate passing on both sides. In a one-on-one situation with their goalkeeper Francesco scored the first goal, and we have not really been in trouble since that moment. VSP was unable to make a strong attack and we created some counter chances, out of which we soon scored our second goal. We were controlling the game, but in a much too lousy tempo. Our opponent didn't really put pressure on us and we created some chances, but didn't score the third....yet. Instead, VSP manged to score the 2-1 before the half time break, a score that was too low considering that we were the better team.

The second half was simliar to the first one: pretty boring. Out of a scrimmage in fornt of their goal we scored our thrid, and since that 3-1 the victory was more or less certain. VSP was not able to put pressure or increase the tempo of the game. On the other hand, also our team was unable to take it to a next level. In good shape we could have speed up the game, create more chances and a higher score. In the end we did score our fourth and fifth goal easily and finished the game without much effort.

Linesmen: Andre & Gareth

Goals: Francesco, Stefan, Fernando, Jelmer (2)

Ragtag Rebels vs "War" GP

8-4. We won a football game in Sparta.

It was crazy today. From the first half we could see tension from them, they got out of their minds and the referee (the old guy) let them.

We started scoring (David), then they equalized, then us again (Fernando), afterward 3-1 (Stefan) and we reached the second half. At this moment the atmosphere was hot, but not that bad.

The fight came in the second half with some actions over Digo and David. Their captain (the oldest and the craziest) got a green card after a dirty tackle to David's knee. Minutes after Digo made a friend (small, blond guy) and their friendship lighted up the whole team.

It was like we were in a fight and nobody told us!.

Then 4-1 after a great move from Carlos! but they were lucky and in two very close actions they made the 4-2 (second line guy entered alone) and 4-3 perfect shot from the last defender (that we didn't cover) . It was from quite far and it went right into the top corner.

Luckily we quickly made the 5-3 (Stefan) and that gave us oxygen. From here on I'm not sure of the order but I think it was, 6-3 (Fernando), 6-4, then David see's a green card for finally pushing back Nigel de Jong (both players saw it) and during his absence Francesco made 7-4 with a great move. Finally counter attack and Francesco made 8-4, that cooled down the people and the match.

It was a freaking street fight. They were responding to small back faults with extremely rough game.

Funny thing was that the "crowd" and the "waiting teams" were cheering for us!!, I guess this team makes friends along the way.

US: GREAT attitude, until we got involved in the fight in second half (3-1 leading). We pressed well and very close to their goal, followed our guy and we occasionally did very nice combinations. Also we were very focused in defense most of the times, big improvement with respect to the last game. We sort of learn the lesson. That, together with nice actions from Francesco and Carlos, was the good side.

The bad side though was that we fought back. Don't get me wrong, I like to show that they wont push us down but we went too far, celebrating the goals on their faces (Digo making friends) and even physically fighting back (which cost us the green card of David). Understandable in these conditions but still a mistake.

THEM: Good team but insane. Here is a video of another game of them, to get an idea. By the way, the referee is also the same.

Their captain is limited as a player but he is the craziest, I think he is the guy in 0:44, always provoking, kicking, shouting... now that I'm thinking, not even when he is like this, I would feel safe playing against him. Their striker (Digo's buddy, short, blond, chunky guy) is technically quite good and very dangerous in one vs one. Today the good news was that he also has that mental decease, so he wasted all of his energy "dancing" with Digo.

Goalie is good, has nice reflexes but when he goes out he looses quite a lot. He is also infected big time, by the way.

The last defender is by far the best, defending is not bad but his strongest point is that he is very dangerous coming from second line. We should always follow him. He protests a lot but he is not violent.

Bottom line, if they would just play, they are a very strong team.

Great attitude, very decent play, understandable mistake of fighting back.

First leg of the league is now over and we still leading the league. Anecdotal but sweeeeeet.

Goals: David, Fernando(2), Carlos, Stefan(2), Francesco(2).

Linesman: Fernando and Jelmer.

Issues: Besides the pain I have in the elbow and in the knee, my ankle is pretty swollen, I'm typing with my foot on the table and with ice on it. I don't see myself playing next week.

Christmas!!

Supporting Jelmer's initiative we should arrange something for Christmas.
Suggestions are so far:

• Bowling
• Indoor Karting
• Night at Holland Casino
• Laserquest

You can state your preference here and you can find the proposal for the date in Jelmer's doodle.

If you have another suggestion please let me know and I will include it in the doodle.

So... Vote!!!

Mikkers - Ragtag Rebels

4-1. We committed suicide.

The game started nicely, everybody focus and following his guy. A bit static in attack but better than the previous match. However, after 10 min or so, our last defender waits too much, misses the ball in our field, striker one vs one with Gianluca (whom almost saved it) and goal.

Then we kept on going and they waited in defense a bit more, we then had some chances but no luck until we reached the second half. Starting the second half our last guy tries to progress with the ball fighting with the striker, looses the ball, one vs one... and 2-0.

At this point we had total control because they were really waiting for us but we didn't move the ball quickly enough. When we were trying to do so, our second last guy unluckly gives a long pass to a clear opponent, whom shoots from far forcing Gianluca to block it out of the area. Penalty, 3-0.

Then we kept a very nice attitude, pressing more and still going for the game but today was not our day. In a not very dangerous ball from them, there is a rebound and the ball goes straight to the striker's foot, whom puts it in the top right corner, bad luck and 4-0.

After that, big pressure from us that gave us the only goal (David).

US: Today we were a little more active than the game against HTC and we controlled the game much more, which could be because they waited for us. Overall that is good considering that Mikkers looks stronger than HTC. However we made 3 fatal actions that cost the game. Today we had chances but not so many like in previous matches. Also we were desperate at some point in time (even shooting straight from the kick off!), that caused some frictions among us that we should avoid. But nothing that a beer cannot fix.

THEM: One of the strongest team in the league, no question about that. They score very easily, every chance they got today was a goal. Mikkers defends well, close to the keeper and with a lot of people. They wait for our mistake and then run like crazy. The keeper (old guy) is quite good although not accurate in long passes which help us in the pressing.

Against this team we have 2 choices. Either do what they do, so wait in our field which reduces the danger of having spaces in our back or (my preference) we press them big time when they start the move. Since they defend very close to the keeper with the whole team, if they loose the ball we can almost shoot right away. Besides they don’t send the striker away so there is less danger of long passes at our back.

For the next game we need to move more, move the ball quicker and occupy the field in a smarter way. Today we learned that this is second division, mistakes here are more expensive, let's use it as a lesson.

Goals: David

Linesman: Stefan and Fernando

High Tech Campus - Ragtag Rebels

2-2. A draw that tasted like a defeat.

Lousy match, so far the worse in the season. We started scoring (Stefan), it was a very nice move from Digo that didn't finish with his best possible shot but luckily the ball went to Stefan and 1-0.
To be honest and seeing from outside (were everything looks simpler) it looked like we were already assuming "we just scored, this is going well" and we got rid of all the tension we (I don't know why) had.. and then got too relaxed for a moment. So then, minutes after that they scored the 1-1. Yes they touched the ball nicely but NOBODY followed his guy, nobody made a fault... we just looked at them. Four touches and goal, 1-1.

Then we went into the second half and here we (I) made a big mistake that I explain later. Overall the nerves came back (why!?) and we started our own individual battles, trying one on ones were it was pointless instead of "start again" (Gareth dixit).
However at this point Fernando scored a great goal (the best thing we did today) after a nice dribble and shot with no angle.
Later, we don't pass back, we loose a ball and don't chase the guy, counter attack 2 against 1, Dan almost with no angle puts the ball in with quite some luck.
After that we had quite some chances (which is great) but didn't score any and they also had a clear one that could have made everything worse (and more unfair).

US: Too nervous, never playing back i.e. very rarely to David, never to Gianluca, so we didn't have control of the game. Often we were 3 players in the left and nobody in the right, we did a lousy job while placing ourselves on the pitch and that made us easier for them to defend. Did I mention we didn't control the game? Well we didn't.

Gareth's issue (this is my opinion, just that, like all I say in my posts). When I say "we" made a big mistake, I mean "I" did it (mainly because I did see it and still didn't say anything). In the second half Gareth took the flag and that was a gift for them. At that moment we needed to win and we had no spaces for Jelmer to use and no one vs one for Andre's left shot. Giving that, we should have put another guy from the group David, Digo, Stefan or maybe even Fernando and leave Gareth on the pitch (even more motivated today because of the presence of his girlfriend ;)).
Bottom line: We should have changed the plans no matter the order with the flags (fuck that in these situations). Then we would have assumed a bigger risk in defense but would have had more danger in attack and we definitely needed to win. In this game HTC was often waiting in their field and going in counter attacks, so there was no room in their back. In those conditions Gareth and Carlos give us a plus.

THEM: We know them all, nothing to add. Their keeper joins the start of the move and Rene sweeps in the back. They waited for us and rarely pressed in our field. That's why it is shocking that we did not control the game.
Not many spaces on their back, we should have pressed them more when the keeper has the ball.

Given that said, let's see this in perspective. We didn't loose and we did have chances. A bad day with few mistakes that we need to correct, sure, but that's it. Just learn from it.

I like one thing: we draw and we were(are) pissed off, they wasted time at the end and celebrated the result.

Carpe Diem - Ragtag Rebels

ve


Victory!! 0-2

Serious game against a serious team. It is hard to understand why they are the last in the stands.
We controlled the game although big part of the game was played in our side of the field. We had a lot (A LOT) of chances but their keeper(not the usual keeper) had a great day today. After 5 min or so we scored (Marteen) the first goal and from then everything was smoother. We had several serious counter attacks but no luck.
One min after the break Gareth scored a very nice goal and although they kept on pressing we controlled the game.
We had a green card (Marteen) but still with 4 players we managed to create two clear chances.

US: Very serious game, we were focussed and controlled most of it. Few chances from them and not really clear ones. We made Gianluca participate more in the elaboration of the move. Very nice pressing from the forwards, specially Andre. Marteen did a very nice job in the second play and in defense.

THEM: Nice team that beated us two times last year, one of them 5-0. They are quite physical team with big players and with very annoying forwards. The captain is a big guy that plays in front and always try to cover the ball. He is not technical but assists the second line pretty decently. Last guy (Nick, blond guy) shoots very hard, definetely a danger we should cover. They have a guy (dark hair, with a neckless) that gets pissed off and out of focus very easily but today he was relaxed.
Their weakest point is that when they attack they leave a lot of space behind the last guy. Deep pass to Gareth or Andre created quite some danger today.

Goals: Maarten, Gareth
Linesman: Jelmer and Digo
Doodle: http://www.doodle.com/vse884dnbw6v54yx

Ragtag Rebels - De Witte Burgh

Victory! 3-2.
Very tense match. We started loosing (as usual) by a long shot that came in through a lot of legs. They could have scored a second one but they didn't. Then in a counter attack, Gianluca to Jelmer, Jelmer to the space for Gareth and goal.
Soon we managed to score a second goal (Francesco) and we were leading for some minutes but shortly a shot from our last guy was recovered by them, counter attack and goal.

In the second half we fixed some things in defense and they had way less danger. In the first half we were following the keeper too much and then leaving holes behind, we stopped doing that and then we controlled the game a bit better.
Later we had quite some chances and eventually we managed to score the third (Jelmer). We still have chances after that but didn't score any of them.

US: In the first half we were too many people attacking and left quite some spaces behind. Gareth was very inspired and not only scoring but also working the front line. Martin and Andre made very smart desitions, making faults when an opponent was coming through. Looks like finally we are learning that part of the game too.

THEM: Very good team. Technically and physically not brilliant but defenetely a good team. They pass the ball with a lot of sense, they don't loose balls in dangerous places and on top of that, their keeper it's not only good but also attacks a lot. It's like they play with one more player.
They leave quite some spaces behind when they attack. Right after recovering the ball, whenever Gianluca was playing a ball quickly to the attackers, we had clear chances. Even scored a goal (Gareth) like that. They loose focus from time to time and that is one of the few weak points they have.


http://www.doodle.com/k67uzpfidh6xa99r

Goals: Gareth, Francesco, Jelmer
Linesman: David

Numero Uno

Ragtag Rebels vs VSP

(Sent by Jelmer)

Yesterday we played against VSP. The ranking told us they had only 1 point so far, but they played already against two of the best teams. Also, this team beat is twice last season (both times 4-3), so we definately did not underestimate them. The game started at 22.30, with a referee that like to talk a lot, and because most of us had no clue what he was saying all the time this lead to some misunderstandings and confusion sometimes. Where last year these kind of situations could get us distracted, now we kept calm and focussed on our own game.

The game started off with some chances on both sides, but no goals. With a good individual action on the left side Carlos opened the score. The 1-0 gave us confidence and we conveniently increase our score to 4-1 at half time. We were leading comfortably, but lost our concentration in the first five minutes of the 2nd half and VSP game back with two goals in a short time. We regained our focus and picked up our teamplay from the first half, which led to 5 more goals in the second half. The 9-3 score was already reached 5 minutes before the end of the game. We had a few big chances to make number 10, but we did not manage to exceed our score from last week......

It was a pretty easy victory. There could have been a few goals more if we were more accurate, but 9-3 is a very good result. VSP did not have expetional players. Their strenght is their teamplay, but that was not enough this time. Some of them started to make some tackles in the 2nd half. We kept cool and just scored more goals;)

Next week we play against De Witte Burgh, one of the leading teams this season. !!!

Stats:

Players: Andre, Carlos, Fernando, Gareth, Stefan, Jelmer, Fransesco, Gianluca

Linesmen: Gareth, Carlos

Goals: Fernando (2), Stefan, Carlos, Fransesco (2), Jelmer (3)

Third

We are third!!. Check the stands.
Three games, 7 points and +7 goals. We've just started but that's not bad at all!!.

Next game looks feasible (VSP), one of those games that we can and should win.
Let's see if Huntelaar is still inspired.... ;)

Ragtag Rebels - Eindhoven United

Very nice game. We started loosing and also they shot once on the post but then we score 3 goals in 5 min and 2 more afterwards so we reached the break with a 5-1. Didn't loose focus in the second half and we finished 9-3 for us.

US: We play nicely and we pressed quite on their field, we often didn't follow our guy (attackers) but thankfully they rarely took advantage of that. Despite of the score it was good but just not great. We lost the ball quite quickly however we did it most of the times on their field. Even when wining for 4 goals we were in hurry!.

THEM: They are way better than what the score suggests. Number 10 (guy with glasses) is the most technical guy, he always dribbles. Number 3 is by far the worst if we dont mention the keeper. The keeper just sucks, if we shoot on goal, it is goal. They move a lot and they really do nice combinations with deep passes. It can be quite difficult to play against them. The weak point is that when we put a little preasure (like today) they give the ball very easily. Almost all the goals came from stealing the ball on their field.

We should never be too confident against this team, they are not that bad at all, they just have a problem taking the ball out and they play with no keeper.

Doodle. Eindhoven United - Ragtag Rebels

Date: Thursday, October 21st

Game: Eindhoven United - Ragtag Rebels

Time: 22.15, please be there 21.45

Location: Heiberg, Veldhoven

Here's the link: http://www.doodle.com/rrcc87ksickd6v3u

Hunter Boys - Ragtag Rebels

Good game, but close call. We were comfortably leading 4-1 and 5-2, but the we got our 2nd green card (both Digo repeating David's last year record) and some big pressure from them in the end.

But we made it :)

Doodle. Hunter Boys - Ragtag Rebels

Game: Hunter Boys - Ragtag Rebels

Date: Thursday, 7 October

Time: 22.15, please be there 21.45

Location: Heiberg, Heerseweg 3, Veldhoven

Here's the link: http://www.doodle.com/w2uwbqq75u7kiswv

Ragtag Rebels - TNC09

We played 3-3 against TNC'09. It was quite a good match from both sides. We were leading 1-0 quite fast (Carlos), but 2-1 behind at half time.

We had chances for the 2-2 but in they scored 3-1. But we fought back and scored 3-2 (Fernando) and 3-3 (Digo) just in time.

Both teams played well, but we had many more chances. We missed accuracy, but considering the 3-1 behind we can be happy with this draw.

Doodle. Ragtag Rebels - TNC'09

"Game: 1st league game - Ragtag Rebels - TNC'09
Date: Tuesday, September 28th
Time: 21.00, please be there 20.30
Location: De Tempel, Henegouwenlaan 2, Eindhoven"

Please register:

http://doodle.com/yhp6t5di8pq3ua6h

2010

2010-2011 will be the second season of Ragtag Rebels in NZVB (Netherlandse ZaalVoetbal Bond). This year we are in second division (Group C).

Last season recap:

We ended up 6th, with 22 points (6 won, 4 draws, 8 lost).

We had a positive goal average of +2.

With 46 goals, we were the 3rd least scoring team of the competition.

But with 44 goals against us, we also had the 3rd least goals against.

Good luck!!!

...and remember: the ball on the ground!! ;)