Asterix Reds 1 - 1 Red Star (Expat Cup Preseason Tournament)

Well done to the 19(!) of us that showed up for this week's game; the first of three fixtures for us in the Expat Cup pre-season tournament. It was another game of two halves for the Asterix. I am certainly not happy with a 1-1 draw against Red Star. However, there were certain elements of the performance in the second half from which we can take some positives. 

We began the first half with a lot of new faces and never really started to play the passing football we want to. We applied some pressure in the first few minutes and were unlucky not to go 1 up after Andy Johnston's strike from outside the box hit the post. After that, we struggled to keep the ball. Red Star had us under the cosh at times and should have converted a few of their chances. I was happy for us to come in level at 0-0- at half time after a sub-par performance.

The performance in the second half was much improved in all areas. Firstly, we were much more composed on the ball. Our decision making was much better. We looked for the open player and played high percentage balls to feet. Our communication was improved and we worked much harder off the ball. This allowed us to put a lot of pressure on Red Star and we played almost all of the second half in the final third of Red Star's half.

I am also pleased that we showed more patience in the final third and, more often that not, used the ball well. We also got the ball wide; particularly on the right flank. We put a lot of balls into the box, creating some chances. However, too often we did not get sufficient numbers in the box for someone to get on the end of the cross and put it away. Red Star then surprised us with a goal on a rare attack with about 15 minutes left. But I'm pleased with the response; we maintained our composure and patience and continued playing possession football in Red Star's end of the pitch. We levelled from a great strike on the turn from Tom Sarginson; his first goal for the club. 1 each is how it ended.

I want to apologise to the guys who had limited game time today. There were certain players I wanted to keep on the park for the final thirty minutes and I know some of you will be disappointed not to have played more. I want to urge you to keep on coming; I doubt very much if we'll have as many people show up as we did today again this season.

Next week we have the BMFC. They look a decent side and we'll need to play well to get a win. I want us to continue working on the fundamentals of our game and building the good habits that we need to play a good passing game: good decision making, working hard off the ball and communicating well. You'll hear me repeat these in every game during the pre-season. 

Additionally, next week I want us to really focus on getting the ball wide more often; we have some genuinely good wide players and need to make the most of them. I want the wide midfielders need to be hugging the touchline when we have the ball. Let's get the ball wide early and put it across the box behind the defenders. On the same theme, I want the strikers and midfielders to work harder to get into the box when we get the ball wide so that we can convert a few more of the balls across the box.

During the week, continue to work on your fitness. Please make an effort to exercise at least once during the early part of the week and do your utmost to attend training on Thursday. It's 7PM Thursday at SportPlaza in PJ; details can be found on right hand side of the blog.