Seoul Villans 7-2 Seoul Fever
Pusnik about to get on the end of what was a sublime finish.
Pusnik, Keselenko
Man of the Match: Sebastian Auger
Seoul Villains proved to be a stern test for Dennis Byrnes side as they surrendered an early lead and went on to comprehensively lose the game 7-2. The score line doesn’t tell the whole story, or fairly reflect Fever’s performance for large parts of the game.
The game started at a high tempo, and it only took a few minutes for Fever to take the lead through Captain Filip Pusnik, who continued his rich vain of form in front of goal with his second in 2 games with an assured finish. Seoul Villains, who play in the first division, hit back though to level the game at 1-1. It remained that way for a while as the two Dans, Lappin and Argueta, stood firm and dominated the Villain’s attackers. Fever had switched Seb Auger back to his more familiar central midfield position and he linked up well alongside Matt Silva, who guarded the back four. Debutant Gareth Fannin showed some neat touches and was always a useful outlet on the left side of midfield, as was Bertrand Gardereau on the right. Gardereau had the beating of the Villains left back, pressing forward time and time again delivering some excellent crosses. His willingness to attack left right back Greg Cross vulnerable at times, as he often found himself up against 2 attackers as the Villains exploited the space down the right, and eventually they got their reward and took a 3-1 lead into the second period. Emile De Vos was deployed as a striker today, showing great commitment as he bullied the Villain’s defence, not allowing them time to build from the back, however he will be disappoint with his finishing at times. He found himself in a one-on-one situation after being released by Auger, but placed his shot too close to the keeper who managed to keep it out. A number of Fever players were guilty of trying to force the issue a little too much, going for the extravagant Hollywood ball instead of the simple pass as possession was given away too cheaply at times. Another new player, Carl Garthwaite, was introduced in the second period and instantly had a calming influence on the game as he showed neat touches and composure on the ball, keeping it simple and helping build attacks. Chances were at a premium, and the Fever frontline will need to improve on their movement if they want to be hitting the net regularly this season. Pusnik, who faded after an energetic start, got on the end of a dangerous cross from Gardereau and with the goal at his mercy he couldn’t apply the finish. The returning Max Keselenko Coll, this season opting to wear the name 'Keselenko' on his shirt, started the second period upfront and worked hard throughout the game to close down the ball and got his rewarding by dispossessing a defender before coolly slotting home to reduce the deficit. The team as a whole looked jaded today, with key players such as Silva and Auger struggling to cope with the movement of the Villains midfield at times. Left back Kevin Kim, wearing the name 'Minung' particularly impressed, after a shaky opening 10 minutes he went on to have an excellent game, flying into tackles, holding his position and getting forward to good effect. Toward the end of the second period, Fever had absorbed waves of pressure and then seized their opportunity to break, starting on the right side as Carl Garthwaite fed Auger who burst through the midfield around the half way line, beating a couple of players with a few side steps at pace, combining with Max Keselenko and creating another chance for De Vos, who was again unable to convert.
Man of the Match: Sebastian Auger
Seoul Villains proved to be a stern test for Dennis Byrnes side as they surrendered an early lead and went on to comprehensively lose the game 7-2. The score line doesn’t tell the whole story, or fairly reflect Fever’s performance for large parts of the game.
The game started at a high tempo, and it only took a few minutes for Fever to take the lead through Captain Filip Pusnik, who continued his rich vain of form in front of goal with his second in 2 games with an assured finish. Seoul Villains, who play in the first division, hit back though to level the game at 1-1. It remained that way for a while as the two Dans, Lappin and Argueta, stood firm and dominated the Villain’s attackers. Fever had switched Seb Auger back to his more familiar central midfield position and he linked up well alongside Matt Silva, who guarded the back four. Debutant Gareth Fannin showed some neat touches and was always a useful outlet on the left side of midfield, as was Bertrand Gardereau on the right. Gardereau had the beating of the Villains left back, pressing forward time and time again delivering some excellent crosses. His willingness to attack left right back Greg Cross vulnerable at times, as he often found himself up against 2 attackers as the Villains exploited the space down the right, and eventually they got their reward and took a 3-1 lead into the second period. Emile De Vos was deployed as a striker today, showing great commitment as he bullied the Villain’s defence, not allowing them time to build from the back, however he will be disappoint with his finishing at times. He found himself in a one-on-one situation after being released by Auger, but placed his shot too close to the keeper who managed to keep it out. A number of Fever players were guilty of trying to force the issue a little too much, going for the extravagant Hollywood ball instead of the simple pass as possession was given away too cheaply at times. Another new player, Carl Garthwaite, was introduced in the second period and instantly had a calming influence on the game as he showed neat touches and composure on the ball, keeping it simple and helping build attacks. Chances were at a premium, and the Fever frontline will need to improve on their movement if they want to be hitting the net regularly this season. Pusnik, who faded after an energetic start, got on the end of a dangerous cross from Gardereau and with the goal at his mercy he couldn’t apply the finish. The returning Max Keselenko Coll, this season opting to wear the name 'Keselenko' on his shirt, started the second period upfront and worked hard throughout the game to close down the ball and got his rewarding by dispossessing a defender before coolly slotting home to reduce the deficit. The team as a whole looked jaded today, with key players such as Silva and Auger struggling to cope with the movement of the Villains midfield at times. Left back Kevin Kim, wearing the name 'Minung' particularly impressed, after a shaky opening 10 minutes he went on to have an excellent game, flying into tackles, holding his position and getting forward to good effect. Toward the end of the second period, Fever had absorbed waves of pressure and then seized their opportunity to break, starting on the right side as Carl Garthwaite fed Auger who burst through the midfield around the half way line, beating a couple of players with a few side steps at pace, combining with Max Keselenko and creating another chance for De Vos, who was again unable to convert.
Fever made wholesale changes in the 3rd period, giving some trialists an opportunity to shine, as well as allowing some players game-time after returning from injury, with Andrew Muir returning to the defence and Paul Jones between the sticks. Players on the periphery of the starting X1 did themselves proud, with Stephen Kilroy, Kevin Kim and Adam Lim coming back into the side and putting in solid performances. Another debutant, Raman, showed glimpses of his attacking potential but was over ambitious with a few of his runs and passes, trying the sublime when the simple would suffice. Player manager Dennis Byrne came on at right back, winding back the years to put in a great display as he helped marshal the backline. The much changed team did well, and were unlucky to concede 2 scrappy goals, and midway through the second period the score stood at 5-2. Byrne then reverted back to the team he intends to start with in the opening fixture next week for the final 20 minutes, but they failed to get back into the swing of things and conceded a further 2 goals. Communication was again a factor in Fever’s demise this afternoon and needs to be addressed a long with movement off the ball, as playmaker Auger found himself with the ball, ready to pick a pass but with nobody making themselves available and inevitably this lead to him, amongst others, holding the ball too long and squandering possession. Big positives in the introduction of some new players, Minung Kim, Gareth Fannin and Carl Garthwaite in particular, but player/manager Byrne and co will hope that this performance will serve as a wake up call. If the team want to realize their ambitions of winning the league they will have to improve their focus and work a lot harder for each other in the coming Fall season.