Madison Celtic fell to their first defeat of the new season in an actioned packed and eventful home game against Ex Div1 outfit Greenwich Pumas. The two nil loss was perhaps an unfair score line considering the number of chances Madison had in the opening twenty minutes of the half and the tail end of the second half. Carlos, Safet and a few others had unbelievable chances to put the Celts ahead early on but could not make the break through. The Pumas were playing well and passed the ball around with some panache but you could not tell that these teams were playing two divisions apart last season. The Celts had started the game strongly and looked the more likely side to score as the half wore on until one of their forwards was tripped in the box for a clear penalty. But, for the second week in a row, the opposition could not take advantage from the spot as the Hulk made a superb save to keep the teams tied. However, the penalty miss, rather than galvanize the Celts, seemed to make the Pumas attack with increased urgency and shortly before half time they snatched the lead as one of their forwards cut across the Madison box and shot low across the goal into the net. Hulk was called into action a few more times making great saves to keep the Celts in the game as Greenwich tried to press home their advantage. However, when the half time whistle sounded the Celts were feeling somewhat aggrieved that they were not ahead let alone one nil down. A tactical switch at the start of the second half saw Carlos moved to the back as sweeper to make sure balls were going to be pumped up to the forward line with more regularity. This switch worked to great effect as the Celts created more and more chances. It looked certain that the home team would equalize until an "event" deprived Madison of Carlos for the rest of the game. The fact that the Pumas were down to ten players after this didn't seem to help as the Celts were clearly distracted by what had happened to Carlos. Even though several more chances fell to the Celtic forward line the elusive equalizer could not be found. And, almost inevitably, as the Celts pushed further and further forward a loose ball from Jodingo!! was pounced on by the Pumas and they raced into the box to score their second and secure the three points. The game ended under a cloud in more ways than one as Celtic suffered their first set back in the new league.
Man Of The Match; A few players like JohnB, Kris and Carlos had great games today and the usual hard running of Roniildo and Halil were on display for most of the match. But because of the great penalty save and a few more after that, the MOM goes to
Hulk!
Next weeks game is an away game;
29-Apr O40-2 VASCO DA GAMA 40 vs MADISON CELTIC 10:00 AM Veterans Memorial Park, Bridgeport
Hats off yet again for Johnaldo for an excellent report....thanks! Was one of those matches where we looked so good in the first twenty, but didn't score when we had our chances...I think it is that simple.....you can't be in front of goal with goal keeper to beat, miss, and expect to win. This tream always impunes the midfield, but you need a reality check..if you expect to play as a forward, you need to score goals when you have an open goal or only the goalie to beat......tough love boys, but you need to score goals....that's what it is all about.....
ReplyDelete.....great PK save today, and the numerous others Hulk...well desrrved by far MOM today :-)
ReplyDeletehope you get better soon Carlos!
ReplyDeleteTano, can you check in with Edimar and Edison, and ask them why they were no show without even letting is know? Is this going to be the MO or what?
ReplyDeleteI will call them, to night.
DeleteCarlos, keep us posted on how you are doing. I heard a lot of junk today from their players, making exuses for their player based on his current personal circumstances, as if that is justification for his behavior...as far as i am concerned, you pull that violence once, you should be banned form playng in the league....I hope we are pursuing this incident with SASL?
ReplyDeleteRoniildo This will be reported by the ref in his match report
ReplyDeleteafter a good night's rest and reflection, we should take the positives from the match. For long spells of the match, we had the upperhand, and after failing to capitalize on our chances, it just became one of those games that no matter what we did, it wasn't going to be our day. Considering they were in Div1 last year, I think we can certainly hold our own season. If you are not planning on travelling to Bridgeport next Sunday, let us know early as possible this week.....thanks
ReplyDeleteA wasted opportunity to at least draw. Sorry for the mis-kick at the end. We were pressing and Kris was left alone in the back.
ReplyDeleteJohn B. raised a good point after the game. We have no attack plan. We just sort of kick the ball whereever. We should try to make a concerted effort a.) go down the flanks and cross b.) load up one side of the field and pressure their weakest side (this makes the most sense to me given we play with two forwards, and they are not Messi or Ronaldo...this way our strikers could play as a tandem rather than being spread out on the field) or 3.)go up the middle (the worst case for us, I think. We haven't had much success with this tact.)
Carlos hope you are feeling better
ReplyDeletePaulo it was good seeing you. Wishing you a speedy recovery
ReplyDeleteJohn thanks for another great report and very true about scoring.
ReplyDeleteJohn B. and Jodingo are right on target......From where i see the game driving the wings is the way to go.....we are a great crossing team. This is where we seem to get alot of our goals (corner kicks). This way our aggresive forwrds and midfielders can do their magic. Our defence in the middle needs to improve.....I know its still early in season but its 2 games now that the opposing offense has owned the property in front of me.....not a good feeling as goalie to see someone unmarked 15 ft in front of you and this is going to really cost us against some of the better teams in this division. If you take away the goal given away in the last minute of game because everyone was up pressing for thhe tie we have only give up 1 goal in 2 games in a row......We Need To Win Theses.......See you all Next week-end...Tano and Hulkster have beer duties,,,,,Carlos I hope you are ok and get better soon.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteAbout the game:
ReplyDeleteI can talk about what if or what have to do, but no one will change so much the way to play. But Jorge said something that was good point, so we change around the position to much, like improvising,and see if we do better, but how many games we have at ready with same guys? so, why we do that? just an opinion to keep on mind.
Madison Celtic FC 0 Greenwich Pumas 2
ReplyDeleteNorwalk Mariners 0 Vasco da Gama C 2
Greenwich Arsenal 2 Fairfield GAC 1
Guilford Bell Curve 1 Norwalk SC 1
Orange SC 1 Easton Rhinos 0
Round 2 Results
Good reporting John,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all this was a little flavor of playing against a Div 1 team considering that there were at the bottom of their division last season. Not taking away any credit from the Pumas, they were all skilled players, good ball handlers and good passing team. They also had many chances to score but they came up on top with 2 goals. We had our chances to score but unable to put the ball in the net. The Pumas were also good on counter attacks.
I am sure Edjmar and Eddy would have made a difference in this game.
We can do better if we can improve our passing game as a team. Longer possession of the ball will give us control of the game and gives us chances to create opportunity to score.......this is why we need to practice.
Carlos is seeing a specialist for his nose today
Looks like Vasco Da Gama is one of the strongest teams in our division. That's our next game
ReplyDelete29-Apr O40-2 VASCO DA GAMA 40 vs MADISON CELTIC
ReplyDelete10:00 AM Veterans Memorial Park, Bridgepor
I was going to restrain myself of writing my thoughts because according to some of our players, I do not know how to play the game! but, since I like this team....John B is right on track with his comment, but it’s not that we don't have any attacking plan, it is that we as a whole team are not disciplined enough to follow a plan. Once again, it comes down to discipline. I always go in a game with the mind set of making myself available for a pass, and to pass when I can. I got yelled at on my first touch of the game for not passing and losing the ball, but I can guarantee you that I have one of the best percentages of converted passes on the team game after game. I wish we would film one of our games!!!
ReplyDeleteRuggero and I were on the bench at the start of the game and we were seeing Tom A having all sort of problems on the right back with players constantly pressuring him with no passing outlet available to him. He probably will tell you that when I was in front of him, He was able to move the ball more freely to me because I was moving in a more visible short passing lane for him. As a result, we were able to move the ball up and pressure them in waves toward the end of the game_ we were able to move the ball with short passes (1:2 passes involving Tom, John, Halil, Ron and myself). Ironically, I was replaced with 5 minutes left and we conceded a goal!
I may not be visible during the game like Carlito or our central midfielders, but I don't care because I play the game like I’ve been thought to play or like I teach players to play, which means knowing your role and playing as a team. One player will not win games for us on a constant basis, it is a team effort that wins games, and it is as a team that we lose.
I was probably quickly crucified for my 2 hand ball the previous game_maybe prompting my removal from the starting lineup (fine with me), yet I play 40-45 min/game and have not been on the field for any of the goals so far this year..... Danny was shouting to replace me when a pass skid under my foot, yet a short time after he had a pass skidding right under his foot which led to a breakaway_did I yelled at him?!..... This is the first thing of playing as a team_respect your teammates because as much everyone thinks that they are better / skilled players, take a good look, you are not as long as you don’t know how to play in a team concept....EVERYBODY has and will make mistakes once in a while....
p.s. Danny_I still will go to battle with you and have your back anytime!
Carlito, hope you get a new nose_this one is defective!!! get well soon!!!
Fribeka, excellent post, and you hit all the right notes. I have made it my policy to play pretty much in silence since last couple of months of last season, and raise my hand when I am available for a pass. I find it helpful, and less stressful this way. Nothing good ever comes out of yelling at "one of your friends" for making a mistake. We just need to focus on our game plan, and stick to it, whether we win lose or draw...that's it. I hear a lot of swearing in various languages during the game, and it is usually aimed at one of us who have just given the ball away or missed a good opportunity...just need to cut that out, and we be a much better team for it...
ReplyDeleteGood I like the blog now "express yourself".
ReplyDeleteI believe Johnaldo is in one spot that we have to support him, and how? We want all play but at the same time we want to win so in one point Johnaldo have to sacrifice one of this matters.
I was quiet in the bench when I hear panic comments about our def was set up weak, that's why I make this comment. I think included myself we are over exited when we playing, like a Dalmatian dog when he goes to the park, after a week isolated in his apartment, so everybody is craving for the ball and running with no composure.
I have no chances to score vs Pumas because the passes went far and the goalie getting all, I do have one nice pass and I crossed to Safet in the 1st half and that was it.
But also this type of league is lack on skills so mostly the time is lucky and, running and barking like puppies behind the ball.
So guys my reflection to all is " RELAAAX AND HAVE FUUUN" we will enjoyed more, and will help our nerves system. (even professional player lack their skills, when their playing under pressure)so don't pressure your partner or yourself when you mess it up.
LOVE YOU GUYS. cheers.
what a result for Chelsea...OMG...was on the edge of my seat guys...hope you saw the game...
ReplyDeleteRoniildo. Didn't see it but sounds like a shock result!
ReplyDeletemake sure dvr set for today's 2nd semi final 2nd leg, bayern v Real
ReplyDeleteI saw when it was 2-1 Barca and shot it off after Messi hit the post didn't see the rest
ReplyDeleteMessi missing the PK was nuts. Slammed it off the crossbar. And Barca had total control of the game. Chelsea was opportunistic off the counterattack.
ReplyDeleteToday I have absolutely nothing worthwhile to say, so if you see this post don’t read it, you’ll just be wasting your time. If, on the other hand you are reading it, you are as well to read it all the way through, just in case I say something interesting, even though I told you at the start of this post I had nothing of interest to say, yet, you’re still reading it?
ReplyDeleteDo yourself a favour, stop reading it now, you’ll just waste more precious minutes of your life, then you’ll get angry for reading it, even though I told you not to.
IF you’re still reading this then there is no point in me telling you anymore that there is nothing interesting in it cos it looks like you’ll read anything. Even if its not interesting. Have you no work to do?
I thought the goal was going to fall over Messi hit the crossbar so hard. Unfortunately, it's got to go in the net. Really a bit of a sad result after John Terry reaffirmed what a dick he is.
ReplyDeleteHope Carlos' Schnoz is OK, haven't heard what happened, but never good to hear of an injury to a teammate.
Bambi
Barca vs Chelsea prove me that even if we play like Barca you still need a lit bit of lucky to win a GAME (that's way it's call game).
ReplyDelete33.333% is a big number when good luck is not on your side.