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