Match Reports August-December 2008
Universal 7 Pronations 2
14th December, 2008
The half way point is reached and the opposition for this match are mid table. Though Universal had not lost against Pronations last season: scoring 2-2 and 3-1 in the league matches, a 0-0 draw in the league cup, and 4-2 in the Summer Cup - these games were always tough.
Ibby in goal; Adam, Sunil, Abou and Brian in defence; Justin in holding midfield, Oday and David right and left backs with Maka attacking midfield; McGall and Raphael as strikers. Kevin and Duran stood by as substitutes.
It looked as if Universal got faster off the blocks with more shooting chances. Breaks by Raphael and Adam forced corners, a Raphael shot (only just) tipped wide by the keeper. And a very accurate free kick from 40yards taken by Raphael started high and dipped dangerously into the box - Oday was on the end of it but just missed the header.
But in the 10th minute Ibby was forced to tackle a player in the 18yard box, the player went down and Bill, the referee, pointed to the spot. It may have seemed unfair to be punished by a penalty but at least Bill didn’t see fit to book Ibby. When it was taken, Ibby got is hand to the ball but could not stop it going in. Pronations took the lead 0-1.
Six minutes later, after shots by McGall and David were stopped, Sunil took it upon himself to even the scoreline. He collected the ball in front of his own 18yard box, drove it through midfield, and with an one-two assist from Maka, he broke through Pronations’ defensive line and finished, 1-1.
But Pronations took the lead again after a throw-in by Universal’s in it’s own half went awry. Again, six minutes later the Pronations defence opened up for Oday to onto the end of David’s pass and thread the ball though a crowded 18yard box and into the net to draw level again
With 10 minutes of the half to go, after Oday had done all the work to draw defenders and the keeper towards him to cover a shot, he chipped them all for David to header in at the far post, but it went over the cross bar. David suffered every footballer’s nightmare - missing from 3 yards in front of an open goal.
In the closing minutes to the break Oday did all the work again - this time from the left hand side - crossed in for Raphael to put in from close range. 3-2 - and Raphael’s 20th league goal this season.
Moran was critical about Universal’s overall defensive performance: Universal could have - by now - an insurmountable lead but slack play in their own half was keeping Pronations in the game. It seemed to him as if Pronations did not have to work very hard to earn their goals.
The second half started with Pronations with their back to the wall, even though they had kicked off they were already defending a corner. Brian curled the ball in and both Oday and Abu missed their shooting chance. But Maka picked up the ball in front of the 18yard box and turned it back in front of Oday to finish. 4-2 - in the first minute of the half.
Pronations’ Assam - almost as if in frustration - tried a shot from 40yards. It was a thunderbolt that just went over the cross bar.
20 minutes into the second half, chaos and comedy befell Pronations’ 18yard box. Defenders and the keeper were all diving frantic to smother the ball at David’s feet while he still kept possession. David eventually got his shot in but this pulled out a spectacular diving save which only just managed to tip the ball wide before it crossed the line. Unfortunately for Pronations - it was not the keeper who saved, it was the defender who was immediately red-carded and a penalty was awarded.
Then there were more comic antics as Brian took the penalty - gently tapping it directly into the keeper’s hands while the keeper himself didn’t even appear to be ready! Bill ordered the penalty to be taken again because there were other players in the 18yard box (and the keeper wasn’t ready), only this time Brian drove it hard into the net. 5-2.
In the last 10 minutes, substitutes Kevin and Duran came on for David and Justin. McGall got his break - he beat the offside trap, went around the keeper and confidently rolled the ball in from the finest of angles. 6-2. And then Oday put on a repeat of David’s antics in Pronations’ 18yard box - twisting and turning around the keeper and his frantic defenders, he was denied a clear shooting chance - so, with half of Pronations on the ground around him - he managed to pass to Raphael who put it away. 7-2 the final score.
Universal 5 SYLA 1
30th November, 2008
Bottom four Scottish Young Lawyers Association (SYLA) were not expected to beat UFC, but there’s no room for complacency. Upfront are currently topping the league, though UFC has two games in hand. As the league draws to a conclusion, goal difference may prove to be the difference between first and third league placing. So Moran urged the players to press for as many goals as possible.
There was, however, a very low turnout of players with key midfield positions being hastily filled. The line-up was: Ibby in goal, Justin, Oday, Sunil and Brian from right to left in defence; Curtis in holding midfield, Kevin and David as right and left wingers and Duran as attacking midfield; Raphael and Magnum as strikers. Ross stood by as substitute.
The game did not start well, two minutes after Universal kicked off Ibby was beaten by a chip which put SYLA in the lead. But then, for most of the first half, SYLA were pinned by Universal’s relentless attacks.
First, a Curtis shot was parried by keeper. Then a good play by Raphael was to no avail as his finish was over the cross bar. Kevin did all the work to line up a cross into the 18yard box, but his pass went behind. A Curtis shot from 30yards went over. A shot by Kevin was deflected as it went through the 18yard box but it was still held by the keeper. David shot wide. And Oday managed a run through SYLA’s defence but his finish was over.
With 10 minutes remaining of the first half. Moran reshuffled the midfield, putting Oday in attacking midfield and Duran in full back. From this position Duran was much more involved in the game and Oday was now posing a bigger threat.
10 minutes before the end of the first half, Raphael chipped the keeper successfully but it hit the crossbar and was cleared back out. Oday picked up the ball, ran wide with it and crossed it in for Raphael to draw level.
SYLA kicked off second half, and had to defend as much as they did in the first half. Two shots each by Raphael and Oday, and one by Magnum were all stopped by the keeper.
In the 12th minute Curtis was brought down in the 18yard box and converted the penalty. And this was followed soon after SYLA’s kick off by a “route one” goal, straight through the middle of the park: starting with Duran’s pass to Oday, followed by a pass to David who broke through SYLA’s defensive back line and carefully tucked the ball away into the net. 3-1.
Curtis broke through the defensive line and had to go around the keeper - but the keeper had done just enough to slow him down in time for a defender to close him down.
Raphael was denied by a fast reaction save from the keeper. Kevin blasted a shot in from a corner but was saved well by the keeper. David’s shot was parried out. With 15 minutes remaining, substitute Ross had to come on for Kevin who sustained an injury.
Two goals came in the last ten minutes. First, from a David drive which pulled SYLA’s defenders off their line made space for Oday to receive his pass and put it away. Then Sunil started a play from the back which made space for Curtis to break through and beat the keeper. 5-1 was the final score.
Universal 4 Hillhead 3
23rd November, 2008
This tie would see both teams short of players owing to variety of reasons, however the standard of play was as high as could be expected in a crucial league game for Hillhead and Universal. With four teams so close together at the top of the league, a single lost game could be difference between first and fourth place. As the saying goes: a win between between two league-topping teams is worth six points.
For this match Moran had only one substitute, but he still managed to find full team strength in every area of his 442: Ibby in goal; Justin, Sunil, Abu and Adam from right to left in defence; Curtis in defensive midfield, Oday and Kevin as right and left wingers and Maka in attacking midfield; McGall and Raphael as strikers.
After Universal kicked off, Hillhead applied most of the pressure - winning two free kicks 25yards out, the first was taken direct but went out just past the post; and the second was placed into a crowded box but Sunil was first on the ball to clear.
In spite of Hillhead’s organisation which made it difficult to drive up the right wing, Abu’s long throw-in made territory up the line very quickly, this once culminated in a chance for Raphael which hit the side netting.
Now Universal was creating chances and applying sustained pressure upon Hillhead’s defence. Maka turned and shoot from 20 yards - on target but it was held, there was an opening for McGall to shoot but it went over. Adam’s drive was broken by a foul - he took the free kick direct but it was just past the top corner. Then Maka intercepted Hillhead’s possession in midfield and fed Raphael another shooting chance which went wide.
In the 13th minute Universal went one up, Abu’s long throw ins were already causing Hillhead problems down the wing but who would have expected him to beat the goal keeper from touch just past the 22yard line! Raphael was on the end of it and made just enough contact to make the goal legal. 1-0.
From corner for Hillhead - which was well taken into the danger area of the 18yard box, Hillhead were fighting hard to get to the ball but defender’s tackles - especially from Adam who made one saving tackle right on the penalty spot - did enough to deny the shot.
The reward for a solid defence would follow, Ibby was quicker than any Hillhead player to a dangerous cross, he intercepted it and quickly passed out to Curtis, Curtis heard Oday’s call and passed into his run, then Oday turned the ball towards the far post and Raphael was on the end of it to complete a classic counter breaking move. 2-0.
For the remaining 20 minutes of the first half we saw a very high standard of football from both sides as the defensive discipline held and the midfield found it extremely difficult to break through. The first half came to a close with the score at 2-0.
Moran warned everyone that Hillhead could score soon after the kick off. And this time they did by winning a penalty in the first minute - Ibby got his fingertips to it but the shot had too much power and went in, 2-1. However, just a minute later Oday broke into Hillhead’s 18yard box and was brought down and awarded a penalty. Raphael completed his hat-trick from the spot, 3-1.
Oday continued to terrorise the Hillhead defence, an athletic turn on the ball threw off his marker and he fed Raphael a shot from the penalty spot - but Raphael was beaten to it by a brave tackle.
Hillhead were a man down after 20 minutes, a player was sent off for persistent fouling and a second booking. Curtis took the free kick directly over the wall and on target but it was held. Kevin read the keeper’s throw out, intercepted, and tried to chip while the keeper was off his line - but his shot went over.
Maka, Oday and McGall caused a panic in Hillhead’s 18yard box but the finish was off target. Soon, at the other end of the park Hillhead did the same but the defence was too slow to clear and it was slammed into the net to creep back into the game, 3-2 with under 20 minutes time remaining.
But Universal’s attack posture did not change - Oday broke through in through in a race that forced Hillhead’s keeper to tackle outside the box. The keeper won the challenge - but a minute later was beaten by Raphael who turned in the corner of the box to score his fourth.
And even though Hillhead raised their game and dominated possession and made most of the attacks for the remainder of the game - there was not enough time for them to recover - they did score in the closing minutes but it was too late. The game finished 4-3.
Universal 5 Prostar 0
16th November, 2008
With three weeks off, there were concerns about match fitness. UFC did secure the win, and the goals were taken brilliantly, but the goal count was not as high as they aimed for. Moran fielded the usual 442: Ibby in goal; Justin, Abu, Oday and Brian from right to left in defence; Benji holding midfield, Adam and Curtis as right and left wingers and Maka in attacking midfield; Raphael and McGall up front.
It didn’t help that the kick off was delayed, but it took over 20 minutes to score. There were chances at either side but the trend was very much in Universal’s favour with their possession encircling Prostar in their own half while Prostar defended and relied on counter breaks.
Raphael - who is well in contention for Universal’s top scorer - broke the deadlock. He saw sight of goal and wasted no time curling a high ball towards it. Prostar’s keeper was in position but his hand was not fast enough to intercept. 1-0. Raphael was in the thick of things again two minutes later when he won the ball in front of Prostar’s 18yard line and showed great ability holding it, McGall positioned himself to help, got the pass and chipped the ball in the net from 20yards. 2-0.
Curtis pulled off a hard turn on the ball, which left his marker tumbling off the pitch, and crossed the ball into the path of McGall. McGall volleyed it towards goal, it was close to the target but went behind.
Prostar nearly entered a score sheet - from an own goal. A high ball was curling into the 18yard box, Ibby called and went to pick it up - but Abu was in the way and headed the ball to where he heard the call. Ibby had to chance his mind quickly and get back to his line before the ball crossed. Then in a lucky counter break, Prostar found themselves 3 against 2 but were fouled in possession 25yards out. The free kick was direct, with power and over the wall, it was only inches off target and would have beaten Ibby.
But Universal regained their posture and strung together a series of passes around Prostar’s 18yard box - it culminated with Maka who saw sight of goal and volleyed it in. 3-0. The last move of the first half was a brilliant move by Raphael who had committed Prostar’s keeper to come out and meet him - Raphael tricked him and the ball trickled towards an open goal. Fortunately for Prostar a fullback was on cue to intercept the ball before it crossed the line and clear up field.
So the first half ended with Universal looking far stronger and likely to score more. Moran stayed true to his promise to his substitutes for a good share of the action, he took McGall and Raphael off for a break and reordered the field putting Curtis and Oday in the striking partnership. Substitutes David and Kevin took the left and right wing Adam moved back to left back and Justin moved in to fall back. Prostar had apparently substituted their goalkeeper.
There was almost a spectacle when the whistle blew for the start of the second. Curtis and Oday stood over the ball, Curtis laid it into Oday who blasted the ball from the spot direct at goal! Amazingly, the ball hit the post right at the top corner. Yet in spite of Oday’s cocky attempt, Prostar remained confident they could score. In response incisive runs by the new wingers Kevin and David to test the defence, they threaded a few runs through Universal’s defence and tested Ibby’s confidence.
One Prostar counter break had left Ibby stranded alone against two strikers running at him with the ball. Ibby kept his distance from the line just right so the man in possession could not get the ball around him, and when the striker passed the ball Ibby ran off the line and beat him to it - smothering the ball and Prostar’s best chance to score in the second half. This was a cool and intelligent play by Ibby.
In the 15th minute, Moran reshuffled the team again: bringing Raphael and McGall back for Curtis and Maka respectively. And I honestly did not have time to note down the substitution before Raphael scored with a blazing shot from range! 4-0.
Prostar were now fighting harder to get on the score sheet with a spell of pressure which tested Ibby twice. But this yield no goals for them and stunning response by Kevin. Maka was driving forward and was being surrounded by defenders in front of the 18yard box, heard Kevin shout for the ball behind the 22yard line and rolled the ball to him. Kevin had spotted the keeper off his line, so just stopped the ball and chipped a high curling shot into the net. 5-0.
Universal were now pushing hard to score more - Adam ran though Prostar’s and beat the keeper with his shot but it came of top corner of the post; Curtis, who had came on for Benji found and opening in midfield, ran through and tried a shot for himself but the keeper held it.
The final ten minutes did yield better chances for Prostar to score - one striker had at last beaten Ibby in a one-on-one race for the ball, but his finish rolled wide. And a free kick Prostar were awarded 25yards out was taken direct and over the wall, and over the cross bar and over the high fence surrounding the park. The final score 5-0 to Universal.
Even though Prostar were playing at their best, with their defensive line holding off intense pressure for much of the game and their incisive counter-breaks drawing a handful of chances, it appeared as if they had lost confidence in their goal keeper. But it was their strategy and passing ability which was frustrating themselves more than Universal.
 Universal 12 Pollokshields 1
19th October, 2008
Watching Pollokshields play Hillhead last week, Moran saw the former go down 4-1 and didn’t see much prospect of them getting back into the game and left for home before half time. Later, it transpired that final result was 5-5! So, in spite of Universal’s history of winning against this side, there was no room for complacency.
However, with Justin back from injury to cover the right-back position, Oday was allowed to play upfront - this had significant impact as the final result reveals. On the field was: Ibby in goal; Justin, Sunil, Abu and Brian from right to left back; Benjamin holding midfield, Jean-Yves and Curtis right and left wingers respectively with Maka attacking midfield; and Raphael partnered Oday up front. Kevin, Amadou and Magnum were standing by as subs.
With 5 minutes gone, Curtis spotted the space for Oday and threaded through a pass, Oday picked up and finished with an unbeatable strike. 1-0. But two minutes later Sunil fumbled while in possession and lost the ball to a Pollokshields strike to draw level.
Oday tested Pollokshield’s keeper - who was not found wanting - and an incisive Maka drive was squandered by Raphael who clipped his finish over the cross bar. Then a late sliding tackle on Curtis was awarded a free kick just over 20yards out. Brian ran a dummy over the ball, and Raphael took the shot direct at the goal. His strike was good (even if it did take a wicked deflection). 2-1.
After some cool passing between Curtis, Brian and Oday left the defence standing flat on their heels, Curtis nudged the ball across the pitch and smashed his shot in between defenders, unluckily it went over. Seconds later, as Pollokshield’s midfield could not get the ball from their goal kick and their defence was still flat, Oday punished them by driving through into the 18yard box and scoring. 3-1.
Just 15 minutes passed and sensing a dangerous trend, Pollokshields attempted to get back into the game, a winger drove forward and managed to turn a wicked pass through Brian and in front of Ibby’s goal. But confidence obviously lacking, no one was there to strike. The ball was picked up near the edge of the box and turned back in but this time Ibby smothered it.
A minute later, Benjamin drove forward and after a one-two with Raphael he was positioned so neatly that he would have nowhere else to go but to score - which he did with a shimmy to send the keeper the wrong way. 4-1. Then after Maka broke through and shot from range the keeper did well to parry the ball back out, but Raphael was there to clean up. 5-1 with only 20 minutes elapsed.
The next ten minutes saw Oday, Maka, Benji and Raphael all toying with the Pollokshields defence by holding possession inside the 18yard box until Raphael was fouled. Brian took the free kick direct but it was just over the cross bar. Curtis worked to feed Raphael an incisive pass which was finished but it was ruled off side. Finally, Jean-Yves broke through into the 18yard box, the keeper came out to block his shot but he just passed to Raphael to put into the empty net. 6-1.
Two more attempts on Pollokshield’s goal drew good saves by their keeper and the score remained 6-1 until half time.
The first ten minutes of the second half - like the first - was dominated by Universal’s attack, but with missed chances. A shot by Raphael was parried and he cleaned up the rebound but the referee disallowed the goal. Abu took a free kick 25yards out but his attempt went direct into the keepers clasp. From a corner which was crossed tantalisingly in front of goal, both Maka and Raphael dived in but just missed the tap-in opportunity. Then Raphael cheekily stole the ball off a defender inside the 18yard box but still couldn’t bring the ball under control for a shot on goal.
Up steps Oday who drew defenders towards him and threaded through a pass for Maka to finish. 7-1. Then minutes later Raphael pulls off a spectacular strike from range to bring the score to 8-1. Now Moran brought on all three substitutes: Kevin on for Jean-Yves, Amadou for Benjamin and Magnum for Raphael; for the remaining 25 minutes of the match. The new players did not alter the shape of Universal’s team and a dark cloud was descending upon Pollokshields players who would now struggle to stop a goal rout.
Oday caused a strange and funny goal: from inside the 18 yard box he drove it under the keeper but the keeper had done just enough to close him down, but the ball ran off his body and arced high and over him, while the ball arced ever so slowly towards the goal line a Pollokshields defender tried in vain to header it away, he could not change it’s direction and ended up turning into his own net. 9-1.
Magnum and Sunil would have unsuccessful shots at goal, and when Kevin was awarded a free kick he took it quickly into space with a view to Oday to finish, Oday was on cue with Kevin’s idea but the first touch let him down. However, a touch of genius from Maka would make an opening for Curtis to deservedly enter the score sheet. 10-1.
After some teasing from the sidelines by Raphael - having scored 4 goals for Oday’s 2 yet was still substituted by Moran - Moran appeared as if he was about substitute Oday. But Oday’s concentration was not broken, he scored his hat-trick within seconds - as if Pollokshields were not there. And again, just a minute later, Oday stepped up to punish Pollokshields for some slack play in possession by the defenders. The final score 12-1.
It turned out to be a rout with 4 goals for Oday, 4 for Raphael, and one each for Maka, Curtis and Benjamin. Only one goal against and that was owing to a defensive error. So it appears that if the Pollokshields team do have the propensity to challenge a quality team like Hillhead, they did not bring that ability into this match.
Universal 5 Unreal Madrid 3
12th October, 2008
Unreal Madrid unknown quantity, starting this season with some new players up front. However, for this game they only fielded 11 men, and had no substitutes. Moran had a full squad plus some: Ibby in goal, Adam, Abu, Sunil and Brian from right to left in defence; Oday holding midfield, Jean-Yves and Greg right and left wingers and Maka attacking midfield; Raphael and McGall striking partnership. Kevin, Benjamin, and Magnum waited in reserve.
Universal pressed hard and prised Unreal’s defence open but Raphael missed two chances; the first after stumbling on a Jean-Yves cross, then after a Jean-Yves shot came off the keeper, the rebound fell to Raphael to tap in but it was blocked and cleared. The first goal for Universal come after 10 minutes from a corner, the ball crossed in front of Greg who had space and clear sight on goal, he volleyed it in with his left foot. 1-0.
For the next ten minutes Unreal’s defence was in a panic, struggling to deal with an onslaught of crosses and penetrating passes. Raphael was at the end of most of them but just could not convert his chances. UFC was not without it’s own defensive mix-ups and Unreal were unlucky not to be awarded an indirect free kick for a pass back to Ibby. Now Unreal started to get into the game. Unreal’s strikers were attempting a couple of high curling shots with the sun behind them - which Ibby held, and another shot on target was blocked and cleared by Sunil.
Unreal’s sustained attacks eventually paid off with a good strike that was driven underneath Ibby as he closed down the striker who had broken through. Minutes later, Sunil was the last man and was turned inside while defending the left wing, his mark made it through to put Unreal 2-1 in the lead. Moran decided that the defence needed some reinforcement so he substituted Benjamin on for Sunil, put him in holding midfield and ordered Oday back into full back position.
But Unreal were gaining in confidence and UFC was being punished for not taking it’s chances earlier in the half. Abu was booked for an outburst at the referee who had awarded a free-kick 30 yards from Ibby’s goal line. It was curled high over the wall and caused some problems in the 18-yard box. Ibby pulled off a double save to prevent the score line getting worse. However, the last action in the half was from a long throw-in by Abu what put Raphael in space with a sight of goal but his was blocked on the line by the keeper.
The second half started in the same way as the first, with UFC dominating the attack and pressing Unreal’s defence. Both Maka and Jean-Yves tried shots from range that were off target. This time, however, the incisive efforts by Greg to break through the defence and cross were rewarded when Raphael twice found his position for an easy tap-in. So Raphael finally find found the net to draw level and then, again, to put Universal in the lead. 3-2.
After that Maka drove the ball through the midfield, passed to Jean Yves who blasted it towards goal from a narrow angle. The ball bounced between post and keeper and into the net to extend Universal’s lead to 4-2.
With 30 minutes of the game remaining, the strain was beginning to show in Unreal’s stamina - they had no substitutes. Yet in spite of the edge, Universal just was not finding the target and Unreal was earning it’s chances. Ibby almost took the punishment when a shot from range beat him but narrowly missed the cross bar. After Magnum was brought on for Raphael, a free kick awarded to Unreal was crossed in and headed over. Then when Unreal’s striker broke into the 18-yard box and turned the ball towards the net, Ibby pulled off a quick reaction save and quickly smothered the rebound.
After Moran substituted Kevin on for Brian. An Unreal shot from range was blasted into the top corner to bring the scoreline to 4-3. Then when Unreal won a corner, it wandered dangerously across the front of Ibby’s goal but no Unreal players were on the end of it. The ball was picked up near the edge of the box but Maka pounced, stole possession and cleared. At the other end of the pitch, the clearance was picked by Magnum 30 yards from Unreal’s goal. He had space to move in and when he was within sight of goal he finished. 5-3 was the final score.
Unreal have some right to feel gutted. They now possess a quality in their attack which is incisive and confident. But they were also at a distinct disadvantage through a shortage of players which meant they could not keep up the pace against a fast and strong side. Though victorious, Universal has got a lot to think about. Though Unreal might consider themselves unfortunate not to score 5 themselves - Universal’s missed of chances could have been punished severely.
Universal 0 Maccabi 2
28th September, 2008
Moran knew Maccabi’s influx of new players would make it a tough side to beat, but now they look like league title contenders. He fielded a strong line-up: Ibby in goal, Abou and Oday fullbacks, Sunil and Brian right and left back. Garfield holding midfield, Greg and Jean-Yves as wingers and Maka as attacking midfield. McGall and Benjamin paired up as strikers.
Throughout the match UFC was winning most of the possession and was always driving forward, UFC formed most of the attacking football and denied Maccabi much time on the ball. But in the in the last quarter of the pitch Maccabi had plenty of players behind the ball and held their shape.
Maccabi took their chances, but Universal’s chances were not good enough to beat their keeper who was on top form throughout the game.
Maccabi’s 1st goal came in the first half. After the ball had come off Abou’s hand in the 18-yard box they were awarded a penalty which was converted.
Sunil and Benjamin were substituted for Aziz and Raphael in the middle of the second half.
Oday started coming forward to try to break Maccabi’s defence, he threaded through a couple of incisive crosses, Abou’s very long throw-ins created a share of the action in Maccabi’s 18yard box. Furthermore, Jean-Yves exceptional ball holding skills were possibly the main reason why Maccabi were pressed for the remainder of the second half. But final ball would result in collisions between a Raphael, Greg, two defenders and a keeper - it would not go in the net!
From a free kick on the edge of Maccabi’s 18yard box McGall stepped up. While the defence and his team mates were prepared for a cross in front of goal, he took it direct! McGall curled it around the one-man wall and towards the inside post and Maccabi’s keeper was only just in time to palm it aside for a corner - otherwise, this would likely have scored.
But instead of an equaliser, a counter-break led to a race between Ibby and the last striker. Ibby was beaten to the ball and was not able to stop the striker who read Ibby’s position perfectly to finish. And Maccabi held their shape and their lead to the final whistle.
UFC will look forward to playing Maccabi again, but for that game Moran may have to make the difference in tactics that will break this solid defence.
Universal 4 Upfront 1
14th September, 2008
Still reeling from their 4-2 defeat last week against Maccabi, Upfront had an uphill task to recover their league ranking. But Universal was ready, and Moran was confident enough to promise everyone who turned up a chance to play and prove themselves against tough opposition.
The starting line-up was as follows: Ibby in goal with Sunil (playing left-back for first time) Oday and Abou as full backs and Justin right back. Garfield in holding midfield, Curtis on the left wing and Jean-Yves on right with Maka in attacking midfield. Benjamin and Raphael formed the striking partnership.
Universal kicked off and for the first fifteen minutes it was a hard fought midfield game. Though Curtis and Garfield were harassing any spell of Upfront’s possession, Universal’s back four still had most of the work to do to keep the score level. The best chance of scoring during this spell fell to Upfront with a hard drive towards the top corner which Ibby did well to tip over with a diving save.
But the tide began to shift, a Maka drive put Raphael in a shooting position, but his finish was over. Then Sunil stood over a free kick 25yards out - took it direct but it missed the target by inches, hitting the cross bar and going out for a goal kick. Then Jean-Yves drove ino Upfront’s 18yard box and blasted one in, his shot was tipped wide for a corner. This corner was crossed into the 18yard box to Abou who had time and space to finish and take the lead. 1-0.
Now Upfront were under sustained pressure in their own half and were struggling the get the ball away. Garfield put them out of their misery with a well-paced pass to Raphael who - this time - managed to take the ball around the keeper and into the net, 2-0.
Upfront’s keeper did well to stop the lead being extended - a curling shot by Maka took a deflection and the keeper had only his reflexes to stop it. Upfront tried to get back into the game with some good midfield play - but every cross they drove into the 18yard box was met by Oday who was first to every cross and never lost his composure under pressure.
The first half finished with controversy, a penalty was awarded against Oday for handball - but as he insisted the ball came off his chin, other Universal players crowded around the referee to protest the decision. Even Moran was on the pitch being ordered off by an irate referee. Eventually the penalty was taken and went in, in spite of Ibby going the right way. 2-1.
Upfront kicked off the second half but Universal opened the scoring. From his fullback position, Oday drove straight through a gap in midfield and into an overburdeoned defence, then planted the ball neatly past the keeper. 3-1. The next goal came from a good run by Jean-Yves who crossed it in for Raphael, Raphael missed but the ball continued to Curtis who found the time to control the ball and send the keeper the wrong way. 4-1.
With 20 minutes of the second half complete, Moran brought on McGall for Raphael. Ten minutes later Richard came on for Benjamin. But neither got to see much time on the ball with most of the play was Upfront attacking in Universal’s half. Yet in spite of the pressure the score-line held with some solid positional play and timley interceptions breaking down each wave of Upfront’s attack.
The game finished with a series of corners across Universal’s goal. Each of the crosses were dealt with by Oday, Abou and Ibby who just knocked the ball back out for another corner. This defence resulted in what seemed to be a chain of 7 corners or more, Upfront - who were the strongest team on the high ball last season - could not get on to the end of anything.
With five minutes to go, Michael came on for Jean-Yves and was making an impact with a couple of one-two assists for McGall, they were unlucky not to score. The game finished with a comprehensive victory for Universal who now lead on the table with 12 points out of a possible 12.
Universal 9 InterThistle 1
7th September, 2008
The Scottish Unity League had scheduled Unreal Madrid to play Universal but Unreal were unable to field a team at this time. Inter Thistle stepped into the time slot.
Oday and Raphael formed the strike partnership in this diamond-midfield formation; Maka was attacking midfield, William on the right wing and Curtis on the left with Garfield holding midfield. Justin, Sunil, Monty and Brian formed the back line with Ibby in goal. Kwabi and McGall on standby as substitutes.
The trend of this match would become apparent after only three minutes - Universal was 2-0 up. InterThistle kicked off but lost their possession, a cross came into Oday who’s first touch off his chest lined himself up for a volley and he slammed it in easily beating the keeper. 1-0. Then Raphael charged into the box and with an assist from Maka lined himself up for a chip over the keeper 2-0.
Interthistle were awarded a free kick 20yards out, it was taken direct over the wall and it was on target but Ibby was in the right place and held it easily. Shortly after that, Monty was caught in possession by an Interthistle striker but his finish was wide of the mark.
Then in the 6th minute, Curtis taking a corner noticed Oday wasn’t closely marked so picked him out for his cross, Oday’s powerful header bounced back out off the post but came back out to him to finish with a volley. 3-0.
Interthistle sustained pressure for ten minutes, Oday charged through the defence but his shot went wide, Raphael’s header from cleared off the line, and Interthistle’s keeper came out of the 18yard box with the ball, though 3 defenders were close by could not find a way of releasing the ball until he was half way into midfield - this was inviting a chip from the half way line but the attempt was not powerful enough to make the distance. Finally, after intercepting a throw in Interthistle pulled off a fast counter attack through Universal’s committed midfield and scored 3-1.
A minute later Interthistle would score again - but in the wrong net! After a penetrating pass by Raphael fed William with a shooting chance, a defender did well to read the danger and attempted to pass back into safety towards his keeper - but the keeper had come out without and the ball just rolled in. 4-1.
After an altercation with Interthistle’s No 6, Garfield picked up the ball after it bounced off the wall from an Interthistle free kick. He charged it all the way into their 18yard box with Raphael to assist but was unlucky not to find the net.
The last goal in the first half came after Curtis spotted William in space and crossed high for a free header towards goal. William did not get the right contact, but Raphael found the loose ball and finished. 5-1.
For the second half Moran reshuffled: Brian and Garfield came off, Oday moved back into the holding midfield role, McGall partnered Raphael in front and Kwabi came on as left-back.
Within 5 minutes Universal were awarded a penalty which Raphael converted. After 10 minutes, Curtis turned a cross towards the far post which William headed in. So Curtis was still pleased with the result since he admitted he was actually taking a shot! 7-1.
Interthistle had by now retreated into their half to block Universal’s attacks, but Curtis, Oday and McGall still found space to control the ball and make shots from within the 18 yard box. Oday and Curtis were denied but McGall suceeded twice. Both skillful and confident finishes from within a crowded 18yard box. 9-1.
Raphael was denied - twice, once by a diving save and again after the ball bounced twice on the line and off the top post to go back out again. He was unlucky not to extend to final score 9-1 to Universal.
Universal 7 Mosspark 2
24th August
Mosspark are highly rated by Moran as the most improved team last season. But Moran still had a stronger team to field. Ibby in goal, right-back Adam, Oday and Justin in full-back and left-back Brian; Garfield in holding midfield, David and William as left and right wingers, Maka in attacking midfield; Greg, Raphael formed the strike partnership and Maisam and Chris were available as subs.
Though Universal started with all the attack the Mosspark defence were well focused and their midfield well positioned. So it took nearly 20 minutes for the deadlock to be broken by Greg who threaded a cross for William to tap in his first, 1-0.
Then there were two more goals in ten minutes: Oday’s drive committed Mosspark’s defenders who surrounded him, yet he still managed to thread a pass for Raphael to finish 2-0. Then, with an assist by David, William extended the lead to 3-0.
Pressure on defence led to Mosspark’s goalkeeper being booked for handling outside his 18yard box and a defender was booked for persistent fouling. Both free kicks awarded to UFC were contained and the first half finished 3-0.
Mosspark opened the Second half scoring. A midfield pass was intercepted and Mosspark were through in a two-on-two race for control of the ball which Mosspark won to score 3-1.
But there was little prospect for Mosspark to get into the game when David beat his markers and the keeper to finish from a very fine angle. 4-1. Then Maka drove through midfield and finished with a spectacle 5-1.
After a well worked period of open play Mosspark scored, 5-2.
Moran substituted Garfield with Chris and brought Maisam on for Greg.
Maisam scambles one in from his drive through Mosspark’s defence 6-2.
William completes his hat-trick 7-2.
Universal 8 Glasgow ANSAR 0
17th August, 2008
For the first game of the league, Moran fielded his usual diamond midfield formation, however, there was a notable change: last season’s top scorer Oday was put in the right wing.
The team line up: Ibby in goal, Justin, Abu, Sunil, Brian formed the back four, Garfield in holding midfield, Oday and Curtis as right and left wingers with Maka attacking midfield; Raphael and McGall formed the strike partnership
Ansar only brought three players in from their All Nations line-up and quickly, and within a few minutes of them kicking off, the difference in quality was apparent. It would only be a matter of time before the goals started to flow.
McGall was the most prominent threat at the start. After combining with Curtis his shot was held and after the keepers throw out failed to get far from the 18yard box, McGall pounced again to take a second shot which was also stopped.
In his own half, Maka turned quickly and drove through ANSAR’s midfield and passed to Raphael who shot with power and on target. ANSAR’s keeper dived and just managed to tip it out for a corner. When this corner was taken, it was nudged on and fell to Curtis who smashed the ball in - from waist height - into the top right corner of the goal. 1-0.
McGall tried again to get on the score sheet with a fine chip that beat the keeper but landed on top of the net. Curtis beat the keeper who came out to meet him, but his shot was cleared off the line by a defender. And Raphael stole himself a chance by intercepting a weak throw-in inside ANSAR’s half, his shot was from a narrow angle and went wide off past the far post.
ANSAR were awarded a free kick in Universal’s half and they had the right idea - to chip it high into the 18yard box and volley, but this attempt went over.
Oday was assisted by Curtis for a shooting chance which was well stopped by the keeper. Then Curtis, assisted by Raphael, started a sudden drive that left most of ANSAR dead on their feet. Curtis went the keeper and finished. 2-0. Raphael was in the action again after Sunil passed forward he drove into the 18yard box and shot directly at the keeper. The ball came back to him but their was no clear shot, so instead he just passed to Abu who did. 3-0.
Maka pulled off another one of his trademark drives - just rolling over each tackle ANSAR threw at him, and driving all the way from the half-way line and over the keeper to shepherd the ball into the net. 4-0.
Raphael successfully pulled off a great drive of his own into the 18yard box, but was over-crowded by defenders by the time he gained his composure to shoot. But Oday would console him, greedily stealing possession from ANSAR’s midfield and driving into the box, he was crowded by several defenders but they could not take the ball off him before he passed to Raphael to finish. 5-0.
Shortly before the first half ended, ANSAR had a great chance when their lead found himself one-on-one against Ibby, but Ibby’s tackle on him in the 18 yard box was as good as any fullback could have done. The first half finished 5-0.
Universal kicked off but Ansar started the second half with a chance when Sunil and Abu were caught off guard to allow a clear shot on goal but the finish was off target and didn’t worry Ibby in the slightest.
Oday, Raphael and McGall separately did a lot of work to drive into ANSAR’s 18yard box but on every occasion they were crowded by a wall of defenders so could not get a clear shot. Curtis attempted to break in and laid a good pass to Raphael to volley but his finish was over the crossbar. But 15 minutes into the second half, McGall and Oday overlapped to create an opening - Oday was brought down in the box and Universal were awarded the penalty. Brian converted from the spot to extend the lead to 6-0.
25 minutes into the half ANSAR were awarded a free kick 25yards out, took it direct over the wall but the attempt was wide. Worth mentioning this free kick since this seemed to be the longest time that ANSAR had won in possession in the second half so far.
ANSAR would only get another spell of possession - from the kick-off spot after another Oday drive into a crowded 18yard box paid dividends. The ball bounced about unpredictably between them as if it was on a pinball table. 7-0.
From the corner spot, Abu got a clear header on the ball but it was cleared off the line by ANSAR’s defender. Maka and Raphael linked up for another attack and from the pass that Raphael fed him, Curtis scored his hat-trick with a spectacular shot. 8-0 was the score at full time.
In conclusion Ansar looked as if they were lacking experience in key areas of the game. Curtis got his hat-trick because he took his chances well, but McGall, Oday and Raphael all missed opportunities to score. So, though every result in the League is going to count, it was down to the wire last season - many of Universal’s players were not only disappointed that they would not get the chance to avenge the ANSAR side that took the All Nations Cup, it was also unsatisfactory that the score was not much higher against a weaker side.
Comments»
the match comentaries and photos are first class very proffesional im really impressed!! the only complaint i have is theres not enough photos of me ha! just kiddin, keep up the good work guys! cmon the UNIVERSAL!!!!!!!!