Soccer Coach
Well-Known Member
Coquitlam Metro Ford Wolves 1 - Campo Atletico 1 (3-1 at extra time).
or Campo goes ahead but awful refereeing keeps status quo.
Before going to the details. I am very proud of the Campo players for bringing an exciting and entertaining game against the clear favourites and arguable the best team in the province.
We have been awaiting for this match for more than a year. Last year, they won the final of the Imperial Cup. We won the B-Cup on the same location. We thought to ourselves we can play against these guys and even beat them.
TTP pundits were up in arms. How can such sacrilege be said? This is heresy. The finalist of the Imperial Cup is such above the finalist of the B-Cup. Oh well, you have to see it to believe it.
In fact, the VMSL should consider to have a "Super-Copa" between the finalist of both cups like it is done in other places (finalist of Champions League plays against finalist of Europa League.
These intra cups have important messages. A reminder that even if you are the best in a region you can be brought down by anyone. This is the spirit of the game.
I very much wanted to have a high pressing, intense attacking, and free flowing game against the Imperial Cup reigning champions. We planned for this but a series of events took down last week of FOUR defenders (i.e. injuries, suspensions, sickness) and other important players.
Given that we had only one sub (as one player got injured in first 5 minutes) and that essentially we had to re-arrange positions, we decided to pursue a more cautionary approach.
@GoF is correct that we ended up with a different formation for this game. It was a hybrid of 5-3-2/5-4-1. It proved to be the correct approach as the Wolves struggled for long time to find an effective solution for most of the regular 90 minutes.
We took our game plan from several games, but particularly Italy vs Brazil in 1990 and discarded the option of man marking Basso.
However, the referees decided to be part of the outcome of the game with their irresponsibility and ineptitude.
First, they show up late. It is FIVE minutes to kick off and they have not checked cards. Finally, one of them shows up and quickly checks the cards.
They do not bother to inform us that they are short. Thus they will start with only two of them.
Second, there is no coin toss. The central referee arbitrarily decides: "you guys get the ball and play on this side". You will see what at the end this matter.
The game starts and a long ball comes from Coquitlam. The forward is clearly offside by at least 5 meters. Our defenders stop because it is an obvious offside. We see the flag up and but the central referee says play on. They almost score. Of course the players are upset and we in the bench too.
"What the fcuk is going on?"
It is almost comic because we can not find a linesman. We ask the referee what is going and both say. "oh we forgot to tell you there is no official linesman on your side". It is not clear what the obese guy with the flag is calling or who he is. Our players protest and demand an explanation and the response is one or two yellow cards for dissent! What a joke!
This has big impact on the game for us. Do you have an idea how hard is to defend agains Metro Ford with no linesman?
Knowing that essentially the main referee is calling each offside wrong because he is far away and we have the top forwards on the league against us?
This forces me to indicate the defences to keep a very low line. Which of course gives Coquitlam lots of room to keep possession on their side. Counter-pressing and pressing high is off the table for us with no linesman and with a referee who has already shown to be partisan.
However, this works well for Campo as Coquitlam keeps possession but can not find meaningful threats and leaves its backline exposed.
We do take advantage of this and manage to get a forward with the ball in the penalty box. Two of their defenders take him down. A clear penalty from his perspective and from ours on the bench. But no. No penalty. On top, he gets a yellow card for protesting.
What is wrong with you mister referee? Do you really do not want Coquitlam to lose?
After this, I thought this is going to be very tough because we are not only playing against the best team in the province. We also have a referee who is clearly going on their side when he can.
Our guys stick to the plan and defend tenaciously but also get some good attacking opportunities. The first half ends 0-0.
We make a tactical modification to try to confuse them and also to block one of their attacking venues. This works well as our forward retreats and our midfielder moves into the empty space and this allows us to create some dangerous chances one of them eventually culminating in the goal.
We sense that they are shocked and push up to try to get a second goal. We are close and should have scored a second goal, but also this have the problem of giving them quite a bit of clear attacking opportunities. Including two posts and some clear shots on the goalie.
Thus, we are forced to retreat and be cautious again.
The referee continues to be favouring Coquitlam and gives them two free kicks on the edge of the penalty box. One of them hits the crossbar. Now, these are clearly not fouls. Normal interactions on a soccer match that HE DECIDES to give for the Wolves.
You know that when you give a free kick to the Wolves you have essentially given them a clear shot on target. They are that good.
This is the straw that broke the camel's back. I try to give a tactical direction to the midfield and try to remind them that the opponents is "premier" but it does not mean that "good" to the point that it can not be done. The referee stops the game and comes to the bench. "You can not disrespect these Premier team". One more word and you are out.
Oh my God, I really can not believe what the referee is uttering from his mouth, At the end it just a reflection this parochial mentality that is very much ingrained in our soccer communities which artificially divides players, teams, and leagues onto categories that do not exist in the field.
One of our players in the bench tries to convey something to the keeper as I pretty much forced not to say anything, but he is kept in the bench too.
We keep a very much compact shape and this forces Coquitlam to go wide. They know how to switch the ball well and give us great difficulties but the defenders and goalie stop them.
Basso is not having his game and neither one of their wingers who is eventually substituted. I am very proud for our defenders because they shot them down. Please keep in mind that two of them played "Silver" in Canada a few years ago because they were not considered to be that good. But I do see potential on them and lot of good qualities on them. I am glad that they are showing on the field that they can play against the "best" {as considered by those who manage our youth programs} .
Our players are tired and a goal comes from two consecutive mistakes. Our midfielder does not put pressure on a direct long ball to the penalty box and our goalie does not read it well and stays on his position. I can not be hard on them. They are tired and also a long ball at night is hard for a keeper to assess with the lights and so on.
Perhaps a deserved goal. One minute to go and the game is over.
We are again on extra time and try to play the same way as Romania. A combination of alternating defense with attacking minded positions.
But the referee once again decides to favour Coquitlam. A long ball goes wide. Our defender is clearly covering it to let the ball out. He wins it and everything points out to a goal kick, but no. The small shoulder to shoulder ends up on a foul and card for dissent! Are you really kidding me?
A very dangerous position that ends up in a goal from two headers.
We try to press high. I think that we could tie the game. I am confident that our players can do it, but it comes with two shocking moments.
First, once again a disputed ball in our attack goes into a bizarre call. It stops our attack. Our player says something in Spanish in frustration. One of their plays replies too, but the referee stops the play and give a yellow card to our player only. What a shocking moment! The referee does not speak Spanish but somehow can read the conversation and mind of the players!
As this is not enough another divided ball, the Coquitlam player insults in Spanish our player who responds. Second yellow and red card. Thus, in an span of 5 minutes the referee books twice the same player for allegedly dissent and small tap on a leg. A few minutes before one our players is on the floor with a possible concussion due to a charge from behind. No card what so ever! Not even a chat to the player.
Campo players still keep fighting heroically and put pressure with only 10 man. No choice but to fight to the end. This leaves our back exposed and they score on the last minute after 120 exhausting minutes.
Coquitlam is no doubt a top class team with a lot of skill and finesse.
Extremely proud for the Campo players performance for going ahead and never giving up even with a referee crew that was showing lack of responsability and professionalism.
I think that it was an entertaining evening for those who attend the match. At this is futbol guys.
So long. I keep my end of the bet. Regs can delete my account.
or Campo goes ahead but awful refereeing keeps status quo.
Before going to the details. I am very proud of the Campo players for bringing an exciting and entertaining game against the clear favourites and arguable the best team in the province.
We have been awaiting for this match for more than a year. Last year, they won the final of the Imperial Cup. We won the B-Cup on the same location. We thought to ourselves we can play against these guys and even beat them.
TTP pundits were up in arms. How can such sacrilege be said? This is heresy. The finalist of the Imperial Cup is such above the finalist of the B-Cup. Oh well, you have to see it to believe it.
In fact, the VMSL should consider to have a "Super-Copa" between the finalist of both cups like it is done in other places (finalist of Champions League plays against finalist of Europa League.
These intra cups have important messages. A reminder that even if you are the best in a region you can be brought down by anyone. This is the spirit of the game.
I very much wanted to have a high pressing, intense attacking, and free flowing game against the Imperial Cup reigning champions. We planned for this but a series of events took down last week of FOUR defenders (i.e. injuries, suspensions, sickness) and other important players.
Given that we had only one sub (as one player got injured in first 5 minutes) and that essentially we had to re-arrange positions, we decided to pursue a more cautionary approach.
@GoF is correct that we ended up with a different formation for this game. It was a hybrid of 5-3-2/5-4-1. It proved to be the correct approach as the Wolves struggled for long time to find an effective solution for most of the regular 90 minutes.
We took our game plan from several games, but particularly Italy vs Brazil in 1990 and discarded the option of man marking Basso.
However, the referees decided to be part of the outcome of the game with their irresponsibility and ineptitude.
First, they show up late. It is FIVE minutes to kick off and they have not checked cards. Finally, one of them shows up and quickly checks the cards.
They do not bother to inform us that they are short. Thus they will start with only two of them.
Second, there is no coin toss. The central referee arbitrarily decides: "you guys get the ball and play on this side". You will see what at the end this matter.
The game starts and a long ball comes from Coquitlam. The forward is clearly offside by at least 5 meters. Our defenders stop because it is an obvious offside. We see the flag up and but the central referee says play on. They almost score. Of course the players are upset and we in the bench too.
"What the fcuk is going on?"
It is almost comic because we can not find a linesman. We ask the referee what is going and both say. "oh we forgot to tell you there is no official linesman on your side". It is not clear what the obese guy with the flag is calling or who he is. Our players protest and demand an explanation and the response is one or two yellow cards for dissent! What a joke!
This has big impact on the game for us. Do you have an idea how hard is to defend agains Metro Ford with no linesman?
Knowing that essentially the main referee is calling each offside wrong because he is far away and we have the top forwards on the league against us?
This forces me to indicate the defences to keep a very low line. Which of course gives Coquitlam lots of room to keep possession on their side. Counter-pressing and pressing high is off the table for us with no linesman and with a referee who has already shown to be partisan.
However, this works well for Campo as Coquitlam keeps possession but can not find meaningful threats and leaves its backline exposed.
We do take advantage of this and manage to get a forward with the ball in the penalty box. Two of their defenders take him down. A clear penalty from his perspective and from ours on the bench. But no. No penalty. On top, he gets a yellow card for protesting.
What is wrong with you mister referee? Do you really do not want Coquitlam to lose?
After this, I thought this is going to be very tough because we are not only playing against the best team in the province. We also have a referee who is clearly going on their side when he can.
Our guys stick to the plan and defend tenaciously but also get some good attacking opportunities. The first half ends 0-0.
We make a tactical modification to try to confuse them and also to block one of their attacking venues. This works well as our forward retreats and our midfielder moves into the empty space and this allows us to create some dangerous chances one of them eventually culminating in the goal.
We sense that they are shocked and push up to try to get a second goal. We are close and should have scored a second goal, but also this have the problem of giving them quite a bit of clear attacking opportunities. Including two posts and some clear shots on the goalie.
Thus, we are forced to retreat and be cautious again.
The referee continues to be favouring Coquitlam and gives them two free kicks on the edge of the penalty box. One of them hits the crossbar. Now, these are clearly not fouls. Normal interactions on a soccer match that HE DECIDES to give for the Wolves.
You know that when you give a free kick to the Wolves you have essentially given them a clear shot on target. They are that good.
This is the straw that broke the camel's back. I try to give a tactical direction to the midfield and try to remind them that the opponents is "premier" but it does not mean that "good" to the point that it can not be done. The referee stops the game and comes to the bench. "You can not disrespect these Premier team". One more word and you are out.
Oh my God, I really can not believe what the referee is uttering from his mouth, At the end it just a reflection this parochial mentality that is very much ingrained in our soccer communities which artificially divides players, teams, and leagues onto categories that do not exist in the field.
One of our players in the bench tries to convey something to the keeper as I pretty much forced not to say anything, but he is kept in the bench too.
We keep a very much compact shape and this forces Coquitlam to go wide. They know how to switch the ball well and give us great difficulties but the defenders and goalie stop them.
Basso is not having his game and neither one of their wingers who is eventually substituted. I am very proud for our defenders because they shot them down. Please keep in mind that two of them played "Silver" in Canada a few years ago because they were not considered to be that good. But I do see potential on them and lot of good qualities on them. I am glad that they are showing on the field that they can play against the "best" {as considered by those who manage our youth programs} .
Our players are tired and a goal comes from two consecutive mistakes. Our midfielder does not put pressure on a direct long ball to the penalty box and our goalie does not read it well and stays on his position. I can not be hard on them. They are tired and also a long ball at night is hard for a keeper to assess with the lights and so on.
Perhaps a deserved goal. One minute to go and the game is over.
We are again on extra time and try to play the same way as Romania. A combination of alternating defense with attacking minded positions.
But the referee once again decides to favour Coquitlam. A long ball goes wide. Our defender is clearly covering it to let the ball out. He wins it and everything points out to a goal kick, but no. The small shoulder to shoulder ends up on a foul and card for dissent! Are you really kidding me?
A very dangerous position that ends up in a goal from two headers.
We try to press high. I think that we could tie the game. I am confident that our players can do it, but it comes with two shocking moments.
First, once again a disputed ball in our attack goes into a bizarre call. It stops our attack. Our player says something in Spanish in frustration. One of their plays replies too, but the referee stops the play and give a yellow card to our player only. What a shocking moment! The referee does not speak Spanish but somehow can read the conversation and mind of the players!
As this is not enough another divided ball, the Coquitlam player insults in Spanish our player who responds. Second yellow and red card. Thus, in an span of 5 minutes the referee books twice the same player for allegedly dissent and small tap on a leg. A few minutes before one our players is on the floor with a possible concussion due to a charge from behind. No card what so ever! Not even a chat to the player.
Campo players still keep fighting heroically and put pressure with only 10 man. No choice but to fight to the end. This leaves our back exposed and they score on the last minute after 120 exhausting minutes.
Coquitlam is no doubt a top class team with a lot of skill and finesse.
Extremely proud for the Campo players performance for going ahead and never giving up even with a referee crew that was showing lack of responsability and professionalism.
I think that it was an entertaining evening for those who attend the match. At this is futbol guys.
So long. I keep my end of the bet. Regs can delete my account.
