The English
Southampton faced First Choice Soccer Academy in the junior section. First Choice Soccer are one of the more unusual entrants in to the Super Cup Northern Ireland. They are a privately run academy, offering people the opportunity to play in the Super Cup during a 2 week residential stay costing $2,000 per player.
It was a bright start under dark skies. Southampton attacked First Choice’s left side twice, taking on defenders and firing in shots from range, one going wide and the other saved. The pattern of early dominance continued, the Southampton central defender clipped a pass into the channel which their big, strong, skilful number 9 controlled adroitly before turning, driving forward and firing a shot from 20 yards. The First Choice goalkeeper dived and touched the ball on to the bar.
Shooting on sight was reflective of the Saints early tempo. Popping passes around and breaking quickly. As the half unfurled their attacking play slowed. The approach seemingly switching from trying to score to trying to keep possession. It was Southampton’s efforts to keep possession that gave First Choice their best chances to score.
The Southampton shape was classically modern. The full backs pushing high up, the central defenders splitting and central midfielder dropping in between the central defenders. It was this commitment to shape and playing out that allowed First Choice to pick off passes and break forward, creating two good openings. The clever, intricate play becoming increasingly predictable. In effect Southampton created their opponents spaces for them.
The second half started with Southampton trying to regain the urgency with which they began the game. Yet the pattern of the first half had returned within ten minutes. Though Southampton had far more of the ball First Choice had the best chances. One fine volleyed effort following a First Choice corner beat the Southampton goalkeeper only to be blocked on the line. Appeals for handball followed but a penalty kick was not forth coming.
Southampton needed to change the flow of the game. Following substitutions a clear tactical change occurred. Southampton turned to using the flanks and putting in crosses. Rather than their possession ending in crowded central areas they now worked the ball wide and delivered. One cross from their right hand side was flighted beautifully, cutting out the goalkeeper and headed in at the far post. 1-0.
From here the game become scrappy, manic and desperate. First Choice applying pressure in a frantic bid to equalise. Southampton hanging on and squeezing a victory.
The Dreamers
In last year’s 2015 junior section Right To Dream swept everyone aside. They had toured Europe that summer collecting a multitude of titles. The Milk Cup would be no different as they destroyed Southampton 7-0. In this year’s Premier section things had been less emphatic with a modest won one, drawn one and lost one record. Their Brazilian opponents Ponte Preta came into this match following a convincing 3-0 victory over County Londonderry.
Right To Dream attacked with swift one and two touch attacking play when around the Ponte Preta area, while Ponte Preta were happy to allow Right To Dream plenty of time in possession in their own half. This allowed them to hit diagonals into the corners, looking to cut out the full back.
The long grass at The Warren struck again. A long diagonal held up allowing the RTD right sided player to nip in as the Ponte Preta defender attempted to let the ball run for a goal kick. A low cut back to the penalty spot was met by a tidy right footed finish, sending the ball back in the direction it came and kissing the post as it crossed the line. 1-0.
Right To Dream were able to play directly but accurately. Their fast play into forwards put constant pressure on the opposition. Attacks were unpredictable and Ponte Preta did not know if the next threat would be a long shot, a cross or third man run from deep.
It would be a cross that would lead to Right To Dream’s second goal. An excellent ball in from their left met with a clean right foot volley. The goal followed a lengthy period of short passing on the right side of the pitch before a long switch out to the left, pulling Ponte Preta out of defensive shape.
One wondered just how many would RTD score?
Within a minute Ponte Preta had struck back. A pass clipped into the Ponte Preta centre forward went over the head of one central defender. The touch was heavy sending the centre forward wide and towards the touch line. He pulled the ball back and a low straight shot squirmed through the RTD goalkeeper. 2-1.
Right To Dream now saw far less of the ball. Ponte Preta finding a passing rhythm. A quick, low forward pass created an opportunity against an on rushing goal keeper. The Ponte Preta forward got his foot there first but the ball rolled agonizingly wide.
After an attacking first half the second started on the front foot. Ponte Preta swinging in a cross from their right side, the header should have been a comfortable save but it was spilled and scuffed away. An early warning for Right To Dream.
Ponte Preta put their adversaries under far greater pressure in this half, allowing less time on the ball. They looked to rapidly feed their right side and deliver crosses onto the Right To Dream right back, who was considerably smaller than the other defensive players.
The defence held on and Right To Dream were able to relieve the pressure with a free kick on their own right. A dipping delivery to the far past was firmly volleyed home. Rather than hanging on at 2-1 they now had a two goal lead. 3-2.
It would not last.
The steady stream of crosses from the Brazilian right side eventually paid off. One delivery making it’s way to the far post to be stroked in left footed. 3-2.
The speed and quality of the game was noticeable. Every player on the pitch looked comfortable on the ball. Every player looked like they knew what they were doing. Every player looked like being put under individual pressing did not phase them at all.
What did phase them was defending crosses. Right To Dream worked the ball out to their left hand side. A swinging dipping delivery into the Ponte Preta right back area was met by a firm header. The Ponte Preta goalkeeper half stopped the effort but could not recover in time to prevent the ball rolling beyond the goal line. 4-2.
The action was not quite over. With time running down a Ponte Preta forward intercepted an attempt by RTD to play out from a goal kick (these had been rare through the whole game). He fed an on running team mate who burst past two players into the area. A prodded left foot effort slid beyond the dive of the goalkeeper only to strike the left hand post and roll along the goal line before being put out for a corner. Breathtaking.
A tremendous game finishing 4-2 to Right To Dream.
The Street Ballers.
Perhaps the most unique footballing identity in the world currently belongs to Chile. With players weened on street football and clearly identifiable, if often frenetic, playing style. The semi final of the Premier section would see County Antrim face Chile’s O’Higgins.
O’Higgins were more than happy to play long. Their goalkeeper kicked from his hands into any of their three forward players. All players looked to hit first time diagonals to switch the point of attack. When it was mistimed it looked pointless, but when it was correctly coordinated Antrim were in chaos.
Yet it would be Antrim who took the lead. Neat build up play on their left side was followed by a pass infield to their central striker. With one touch he played the ball into the path of an on running team mate to the left side of the O’Higgins penalty area. His first time strike started wide of the far post before curving inwards and finding the top corner.
Antrim had the better of the game. O’Higgins struggled to get any end product to their play but all this would change in a ten minute flurry.
A long goal kick from O’Higgins broke loose. The touch to control the ball was good and dipping right foot shot followed. The dip accentuated by a deflection but dropping safely towards the grasp of the Antrim goalkeeper. Sadly the ball slipped from his grasp and through to the goal. A sprawling effort to keep the ball out only pushing it deeper into the net. 1-1.
The number 10 on the left of the now familiar Chilean 3-4-3 had looked sharp all game. Bursting infield with sharp footwork and a stinging right footed strike. Early in the game he had threatened in this way. Now with the score at 1-1 he zipped in field on to his right foot. The strike was venomous and the clearly shaken Antrim goalkeeper could only help it in at his near post. 2-1.
Another fierce strike would make the game 3-1. A loose ball breaking to O’Higgins centre forward. He faced two defenders but exploded away from both. The velocity of the right footed shot meant that the Antrim goalkeeper’s dive would never be any more than a token gesture.
O’Higgins certainly impressed with their swift attacking in this period. In the second half they impressed defensively. Antrim dominated the possession and pressure but the O’Higgins defence remained calm and kept them at arms length, barring two corners that created good openings. One header cleared off the line, one snap shot dragged wide. The defence was impressively controlled by their number 3 and captain. This was an outstanding individual defensive performance. Composed on the ball, excellent communication and brilliant reading of the game. The assured nature of their captain meant that O’Higgins never panicked as they kept Antrim at bay to reach the show piece final.
Goalkeeper Distribution
It was noticeable that Right To Dream and Ponte Preta did not look to play short from goal kicks. When Right To Dream did play short it almost cost them goal. O’Higgins mixed things up, sometimes playing short, other times going long. However, every time the O’Higgins goalkeeper had the ball in his hands he hammered the ball down field to one of his three forward players, happy for them to pick up scraps.
The only team who regularly played short from the goal keeper were Southampton.
Right To Dream, Ponte Preta and O’Higgins possessed technically excellent players but chose to play in a more direct manner. They were comfortable with the ball in a variety of areas. This felt organic and natural. Southampton were equally comfortable but at times their passing and play felt like a set pattern, inorganic and tight fitting.
It has been the “right” thing to do in English football for some time, play short from the goalkeeper. Yet three technically excellent and exciting sides did not do so. Why do we still insist upon it when it has become predictable?
First Choice’s Flyer
The flyer offers players daily training sessions, games at the Super Cup, a training session with Celtic and the opportunity to be scouted by English Premier League clubs. Who wouldn’t pay $2k to get scouted by Liverpool? Except they didn’t enter this year.
http://www.firstchoicesoccer.com/uploads/1/6/8/1/16813132/milk_cup_flyer_2016.pdf