9/16/12 Game Recap (4-0 Win)

Luis celebrates his goal

Elite 03 Black trekked to South San Jose on Sunday to take on the Almaden Mercury at Bret Harte middle School. Elite continued their habit of jumping out to an early lead, then clamping down defensively. The boys converted four scoring chances into goals, en route to a 4-0 win.

Luis scored his 1st goal of the season in the 7th minute of the contest, taking a feed from Amit on the left side then pin balling a shot off the Almaden goal keeper from just outside the left post. The Mercury keeper tried to come out and challenge the ball, but Luis’ shot found the back of the net.

Amit added a tally in the 11th minute, after receiving a Just W pass from the right side. He carried the ball across the top of the small box and chipped home the goal from between the posts.

Nathan cuts back on a defender

Manas made it 3-0 in the 16th minute, gathering a feed near the penalty dot from Justin W, then pivoting toward the goal and tucking a shot just inside the left post.

Elite just missed on a flurry of shots in tight after Justin W worked the ball deep into the right corner and sent a cross to the front of the net. Taishi bounced a shot off the Almaden keeper to start the sequence, then Ryan rang a shot off the right post before The Mercury defense was able to corral the ball and clear it to safety.

Jonathan and Nathan patrolled the outside midfield positions and repeatedly fed balls to the forwards, setting up a number of nice crossing attempts.

Justin W crosses a pass to the box

Amit rifled a shot that deflected off the left post and into the goal in the 21st minute, after Nathan took a crossing feed and navigated through traffic before sliding a pass to the front of the small box.

Ryan, Josh and Nathan combined their efforts in goal to earn the team’s 4th shutout of the season.

Key Accomplishments —

-- Possession – The boys continue to controls games by commanding possession of the ball. Wider positioning allowed them to maintain possession longer, because it spreads the defense and makes it more difficult for these defenses to force turnovers.

-- Overlap Runs – The boys began to employ overlap runs, which requires a trailing player (typically a full back or midfielder) to activate to a forward position by overlapping past a teammate that is in control of the ball. While the defender is drawn to the ball, the overlapping player become a passing option that is also carrying momentum past the defender.

Development Areas —

-- Right of Way – When two players from the same team have an opportunity to gain control of the ball, the player who can best clear it from danger, or best attack on offense has the right of way, or the right to the ball. Players need to recognize who is best suited to control the ball and yield to their teammate if they do not have the right of way.

-- Transitioning – The opposing team created several offensive chances, because the midfielders were not transitioning quickly enough. In cases where there are only two defenders, the opposition can generate odd-man rushes as a result of poor transitioning.

-- Dribbling with Head Up -- As the boys mature as players, they must develop the ability to dribble the ball with their heads up. This will allow them to scan the field and make better (and timely) decisions on what to do with the ball. Keeping their heads down places their visual focus on the ball and eliminates the ability to identify what the defense is doing.