The Battle of Gwangnaru
After having played half of the season’s games, Seoul Fever found themselves fifth in the Seoul Saturday Soccer League (SSSL) after what can be only be described as a season of extremes. In the opening 6 games; Fever had managed 3 wins, 3 losses and no draws. This kind of form always bodes well for the neutral fan but manager Dennis Byrne’s side would have been hoping to show more consistency, preferably a few more results to add to the win column. Having come off the back of a narrow defeat to HBC, Seoul Fever were looking towards a much-improved performance in attempt to notch-up their fourth win of the season and to inject momentum back into the side.
Fever arrived at the pitch with a depleted squad that was missing a number of key players due to injury or various outside commitments. Byrne stuck with his usual 4-4-1-1 formation that has proven to be highly effective in Fever’s most impressive and energetic performances. The manager opted for a flat back four made-up of Pegg, Lappin, Argueta and Yun – the latter deputising for the absent Fever stalwart Greg Cross. Gardereau and Levente lined up on the right and left, respectively; with Garthwaite and Fannin assuming their usual positions of deep-lying central midfielders. Merritt was given the nod to lead the line in the number #9 role and Seoul Fever captain Filip Pušnik returned to more familiar territory where he was able to occupy a central position, to allow him to bridge the gap between the midfielders and the lone striker. In-form shotstopper Andrew Ritchie returned between the posts – business as usual.
The match was scheduled to kick off at 3pm despite abject weather conditions that saw the already inadequate playing surface turned into a temporary quicksand pit that would not have looked out of place in an Indiana Jones film. Even though the pitch was far from ideal, both teams looked keen to play and the ref soon got the game underway. Fever looked lively from the off and wasted no time in controlling the play in the midfield. Fever centre-midfielders - Fannin and Garthwaite - began to dictate play, starting moves from deep in their own half by attempting to pass their way up the field. The attempts at meticulous passing were proving to be a success even in the face of surface inconsistencies and the afternoon torrential downpour. Fever’s midfield dynamos continued to work in tandem and looked to stretch the play by feeding the wingers, who would in-turn look to find front men Merritt and Filip Pušnik when the opportunity presented itself. The opening soon came on a Fever break that saw Garthwaite head a ball into the penalty area for it to be flicked on by Gardereau into the path of veteran winger Pallos Levente, who had hit the crossbar in the first minute of the game. Many players would have been inclined to take control the ball with a first touch but The Magyar Superstar’s recent form was a clear indicator that this would not be needed. Levente hit the ball first time, with a beautifully-crafted left-foot volley that saw the opposition keeper well and truly beaten. INTs 0-1 Seoul Fever. Fever ended the first period with a one-goal lead after a convincing half hour.
Byrne’s men took to the second period looking to build upon their narrow lead and separate themselves from the lingering complacency that was commonplace in previous games, where they had failed to come away with a result. The beach-like surface had deteriorated further after the first third’s physical skirmish, and the quality of football soon followed suit. The first half’s attempt at fluid football soon faded and what came next could have been mistaken for a re-enactment of World War trench warfare. The game played out in a highly physical fashion with both teams fighting tooth and nail to win the ball in both the air and on the ground. INTs began to see more of the ball and came at Fever at a high pace, but were soon stifled by the defensive unit that was protected firmly by Fannin and Garthwaite. Centre halves, Argueta and Lappin were given plenty of protection from Pegg and Yun throughout the game and were left with fairly menial tasks such as heading away aerial threats and clearing stray balls. INTs attacks were stifled and Fever were on the scoresheet once again. Pušnik and Merritt had spent the afternoon tirelessly chasing down long balls and making runs to allow spaces to open up for teammates, but it was now time for one of the front two to stake their claim on the game. A long ball came over the top and Pušnik found himself with both a defender and goalkeeper to beat. The Welshman kept his composure to find space and slot home the ball to extend the lead further. INTs 0-2 Seoul Fever. The strike was Pušnik’s first goal of the season and he will be hoping to build on that in the remaining six games. Fever continued to apply pressure but were denied several times by the woodwork. Pušnik hit a curling free kick that had the keeper well-beaten only to be refused by the back post.
Towards the end of the second period, Fever began to show signs of an all too familiar complacency. A lapse in defensive concentration allowed the opposition winger to break through the defence and thread a neat cross into the Fever penalty area. This situation left Fever clearly outnumbered and the striker had no problems in converting his chance to bring INT back into the game once again. INTs 1-2 Seoul Fever. Fever went into the final period leading by the narrow margin of just one goal. INTs continued to press and soon found another breakthrough with just minutes remaining in the game. The opposition left winger shook off midfield pressure and tried an audacious long range effort from nearly 30 yards out. The shot dipped and found itself on the underside of Fever crossbar, and goalkeeper Andrew Ritchie was given a blip on his nearly faultless afternoon display. INTs 2-2 Seoul Fever. Perhaps the Seoul Fever of old would have folded after throwing away what seemed like a fairly comfortable lead, but Dennis Byrne’s men dug deeper and showed no signs of letting up before the final whistle. After a few minutes of constant pressure, Fever were given one final lifeline to rescue all 3 points. A low cross came in from the left hand side and, once again, Levente found himself in a position to make the difference. Again, Levente kept his cool and slotted home his second to give Seoul Fever all 3 points. INTs 2-3 Seoul Fever. Scenes of elation lit-up what was the season’s bleakest and bleariest day in terms of both weather and standard of play, and Fever were able to walk away victorious with 3 points in hand and a convincing performance to boot.
There were a handful of admirable performances, and all eleven players contributed heavily towards what could be an extremely significant result for Seoul Fever’s ongoing battle for promotion. However, it was difficult to look beyond Pallos Levente who provided 2 goals and a tireless, tenacious performance from start to finish. The result has put Seoul Fever back in contention for a promotion spot and they will face-off against SV Wanoos in a week’s time.
The battle is won but the war is far from over.
Man of the match: Pallos Levente
Fever arrived at the pitch with a depleted squad that was missing a number of key players due to injury or various outside commitments. Byrne stuck with his usual 4-4-1-1 formation that has proven to be highly effective in Fever’s most impressive and energetic performances. The manager opted for a flat back four made-up of Pegg, Lappin, Argueta and Yun – the latter deputising for the absent Fever stalwart Greg Cross. Gardereau and Levente lined up on the right and left, respectively; with Garthwaite and Fannin assuming their usual positions of deep-lying central midfielders. Merritt was given the nod to lead the line in the number #9 role and Seoul Fever captain Filip Pušnik returned to more familiar territory where he was able to occupy a central position, to allow him to bridge the gap between the midfielders and the lone striker. In-form shotstopper Andrew Ritchie returned between the posts – business as usual.
The match was scheduled to kick off at 3pm despite abject weather conditions that saw the already inadequate playing surface turned into a temporary quicksand pit that would not have looked out of place in an Indiana Jones film. Even though the pitch was far from ideal, both teams looked keen to play and the ref soon got the game underway. Fever looked lively from the off and wasted no time in controlling the play in the midfield. Fever centre-midfielders - Fannin and Garthwaite - began to dictate play, starting moves from deep in their own half by attempting to pass their way up the field. The attempts at meticulous passing were proving to be a success even in the face of surface inconsistencies and the afternoon torrential downpour. Fever’s midfield dynamos continued to work in tandem and looked to stretch the play by feeding the wingers, who would in-turn look to find front men Merritt and Filip Pušnik when the opportunity presented itself. The opening soon came on a Fever break that saw Garthwaite head a ball into the penalty area for it to be flicked on by Gardereau into the path of veteran winger Pallos Levente, who had hit the crossbar in the first minute of the game. Many players would have been inclined to take control the ball with a first touch but The Magyar Superstar’s recent form was a clear indicator that this would not be needed. Levente hit the ball first time, with a beautifully-crafted left-foot volley that saw the opposition keeper well and truly beaten. INTs 0-1 Seoul Fever. Fever ended the first period with a one-goal lead after a convincing half hour.
Byrne’s men took to the second period looking to build upon their narrow lead and separate themselves from the lingering complacency that was commonplace in previous games, where they had failed to come away with a result. The beach-like surface had deteriorated further after the first third’s physical skirmish, and the quality of football soon followed suit. The first half’s attempt at fluid football soon faded and what came next could have been mistaken for a re-enactment of World War trench warfare. The game played out in a highly physical fashion with both teams fighting tooth and nail to win the ball in both the air and on the ground. INTs began to see more of the ball and came at Fever at a high pace, but were soon stifled by the defensive unit that was protected firmly by Fannin and Garthwaite. Centre halves, Argueta and Lappin were given plenty of protection from Pegg and Yun throughout the game and were left with fairly menial tasks such as heading away aerial threats and clearing stray balls. INTs attacks were stifled and Fever were on the scoresheet once again. Pušnik and Merritt had spent the afternoon tirelessly chasing down long balls and making runs to allow spaces to open up for teammates, but it was now time for one of the front two to stake their claim on the game. A long ball came over the top and Pušnik found himself with both a defender and goalkeeper to beat. The Welshman kept his composure to find space and slot home the ball to extend the lead further. INTs 0-2 Seoul Fever. The strike was Pušnik’s first goal of the season and he will be hoping to build on that in the remaining six games. Fever continued to apply pressure but were denied several times by the woodwork. Pušnik hit a curling free kick that had the keeper well-beaten only to be refused by the back post.
Towards the end of the second period, Fever began to show signs of an all too familiar complacency. A lapse in defensive concentration allowed the opposition winger to break through the defence and thread a neat cross into the Fever penalty area. This situation left Fever clearly outnumbered and the striker had no problems in converting his chance to bring INT back into the game once again. INTs 1-2 Seoul Fever. Fever went into the final period leading by the narrow margin of just one goal. INTs continued to press and soon found another breakthrough with just minutes remaining in the game. The opposition left winger shook off midfield pressure and tried an audacious long range effort from nearly 30 yards out. The shot dipped and found itself on the underside of Fever crossbar, and goalkeeper Andrew Ritchie was given a blip on his nearly faultless afternoon display. INTs 2-2 Seoul Fever. Perhaps the Seoul Fever of old would have folded after throwing away what seemed like a fairly comfortable lead, but Dennis Byrne’s men dug deeper and showed no signs of letting up before the final whistle. After a few minutes of constant pressure, Fever were given one final lifeline to rescue all 3 points. A low cross came in from the left hand side and, once again, Levente found himself in a position to make the difference. Again, Levente kept his cool and slotted home his second to give Seoul Fever all 3 points. INTs 2-3 Seoul Fever. Scenes of elation lit-up what was the season’s bleakest and bleariest day in terms of both weather and standard of play, and Fever were able to walk away victorious with 3 points in hand and a convincing performance to boot.
There were a handful of admirable performances, and all eleven players contributed heavily towards what could be an extremely significant result for Seoul Fever’s ongoing battle for promotion. However, it was difficult to look beyond Pallos Levente who provided 2 goals and a tireless, tenacious performance from start to finish. The result has put Seoul Fever back in contention for a promotion spot and they will face-off against SV Wanoos in a week’s time.
The battle is won but the war is far from over.
Man of the match: Pallos Levente