As dissapointed as we might be with the result, our first game of the season was an excellent performance. Our energy was excellent, our passing was good, and we kept our shape very well. What was needed was the finish to our approach play and I'm quite sure we would have had a different result. On another day against another gaolie I think we would scored easily.
Looking at the goals we conceded I was struck by how simple they were and how each was typical of goals scored at this level.
For the first we failed to deal with a cross from a indirect freekick and from there it was a simple tap-in amid the chaos of a goalmouth scramble. We must become accustomed to dealing with high balls into our penalty area from free-kicks and corners. We do this by ensuring we are always first to the ball, especially in the air where we must be fearless and get our head on the ball. Unless you are under no pressure, defenders or goalkeepers should never wait until the ball hits the ground. Remember, there is nowhere on a soccer field where communication is more important than the penalty area.
Their second goal was a long-ball which we didnt deal with at all. Their player did a good job of guessing our centre-half had misjudged the flight of the ball and ran onto the ball for a breakaway. This wasnt the first time it happened - Mia made some great saves prior to this - so it shouldnt have come as a surprise. Long balls can be combated by putting pressure on the passer and the centre-halves sitting deeper on the field in anticipation of the kick. As with high balls into our penalty area, with more experience it becomes easier to deal with the long-ball game.
In between their goals we played some very nice soccer and I'm sure any neutral would have been surprised we weren't winning. But its goals that win games, and the sooner we learn to take our chances the better.
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