This was an incredible match. Very entertaining. The highlights are well worth spending 3 minutes watching. Both teams play our system of 1-4-3-3 so it is easy to identify player who play our position.
Goal (1) While the #11 gets wide, the #5 attacks the space created on the inside channel. When he gets blocked off, he shields the ball and plays the supporting #8. The #8 attacks the space, beats his marker with a cleaver move and gets his head up. The #10, who has been asking for the ball early (watch the reply), makes a clever run when he sees the #8 beat his defender and finds himself wide open and scores a great goal.
Goal (2) What can you say. The #11 is confident that he is faster and fitter then his defenders. He dribbles 60 yards, never slowing down, and puts in a great cross for the #9. Watch how the #9 initially supporting the ball, quickly makes his way to the box when he sees the #11 dribbling. Stop the replay at 2:13. Look how the #9 is on the back shoulder of the defender. From this position the #9 has the advantage. As you can see, the defender has turned to watch the ball and losses his mark just enough for the #9 to sneak in and prod it home.
Goal (3) What a strike. For anyone wanting to improve their shooting technique - this is your model. (1) set your feet with a few little steps and one big lunging step - this opens your body for a full leg swing (2) keep your body upright (3) plant your non-kicking foot next to the ball and use it to plant like a pole vaulter would (4) lock your ankle (5) finish the shot by bringing your knee to your chest (6) land on the striking foot. (if you stop the replay at about 2:56 you can see he's got soooo much torque that his plant foot is at head height when he lands).
Goal (4) The biggest Highway Move you will ever see, but one that is very very effective. He knocks it a full forty yards (from the halfway line to the 18 yard box) and passes it across to the #9. I can imagine any of our speedy players doing this move on the weekends.
