match report - Swiss XI (no10 and Sam's Soldiers) vs Amazon

Edgar Davids Joined : 08 Jun 2007 Posts : 2316

Gentlemen, for those of you who may be interested, here's the report from the match that I played last night for Swiss XI with Sam and several Soldiers...

Swiss XI triumphed 1-0 with a second half goal from BB Osenda. Inexplicably, several Swiss XI players had opted to watch some teams in red who were passing through town, leaving the boys in bright yellow much depleted. Swiss XI lined up with only 6 regular midweek players (only 4 YYL Swiss players). Guests Henman, Terry and Roy took on keeper and fullback duties, with Brad and Ean holding the central defence together; the midfield was made up of James, Sven, Orlando and Tom, while two more guests, Paulo and Sam led the frontline.

With only 11 men, the Swiss were up against it, with Amazon bringing a squad of 20 to rotate over the course of 80 hot and humid minutes. It took Swiss a while to get going, as they got used to the new teammates the opposition had 3 tricky, pacy players. The shape of team was decidedly solid and Amazon were never able to create any meaningful chancees, frequently resorting to pumping long diagonal balls into the box.

Swiss had chances to take the lead. Sven and Paulo exchanged passes at pace only for Sven to shoot narrowly wide, James lobbed a shot just over the bar, Sam came close with another chance, and Amazon almost undid themselves when an errant backpass trickled along their goalline.

After minor changes and a positive half-time chat, Swiss started much more strongly second half and were camped in Amazon territory for the first 10 minutes. Amazon brought in several fresh players and Swiss shuffled formation slightly, when Roy went in goal following cramp, with Henman on the left wing and James up front. A series of good attacks where forwards were not quite able to pounce on clever through-balls finally culminated in a deserved but scrappy goal. James intercepted a hesitant Amazon midfielder and toe=poked the ball hopefully into the box. Paulo did well to get a touch but his shot was blocked and fell into a melee of players. Orlando's three claws got there first, scooping the ball up and over, and several players were already anticipating a goalkick. But the ball hit the underside of the bar Several players were already anticipating a goalkick and the hapless defender running hard to track back found it richochet into the net off his knees.

With 11 minutes remaining, Amazon subbed almost their whole team and threw everything at Swiss XI with a renewed sense of urgency. But the tired legs of the Swiss held strong, and determined defending saw Roy punch off the goalline and the backline power their way clear of danger.

Thanks to Sven, Tom, Ean, Orlando and Brad for playing, Quickie for driving, supporting and taking on Ballboy duties, and especially to our guests, Sam, Paulo, Terry, Roy and Henman, without whom we couldn't have fulfilled this fixture.

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 2576

Good job James and good work Sam to provide the cavalry. CAn SiHK claim that as a victory for us as one of our players was involved?

Paolo Tramezzani Joined : 24 Jun 2007 Posts : 258

Luckily, we won't lose your face

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 2576

Sam, have you seen his face? Losing it may be the best thing that ever happens to him.

Paolo Tramezzani Joined : 24 Jun 2007 Posts : 258

Number 10 wears Number 10 in his own team, may be he was a real number 10 Laughing

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 3552

So the two beers in Al's Diner did help ? Told ya. Don't listen to GDG advise of pasta and plenty of water. What does he know ?!?! Laughing

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 2576

Are you playing next Saturday, Jeremy?

Edgar Davids Joined : 08 Jun 2007 Posts : 2316

was just the one beer, and yeah it helped!

GDG, what's with the comments about my face, u cheeky monkey?

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 2576

Just joshing, you're obviously one of the most handsome in the squad if truth be known.

Edgar Davids Joined : 08 Jun 2007 Posts : 2316