Asterix Reds 2 - 6 BMFC (Expat Cup Preseason Tournament)

I know you'll all be as disappointed as I am by our performance against the BMFC. We were playing a team that was fitter and more 'match ready' than us, but a lack of desire and commitment on the ball and several soft goals ensured we were never really in this game. 

We didn't get started in the first half. We were static and I didn't see a lot of people wanting to take responsibility for possession. The passing and movement we focus on every week just didn't happen. As such, we created few clear cut chances to score. BMFC scored a good goal on the break. After the re-start we gave the ball straight back to them. They attacked down the right. 2-0. They shortly added another after about 30 minutes. 3-0 at half time and we looked out of it. 

I am pleased with the way we began the second half. To be honest we looked a different side going forward. The main difference was that we were prepared to take more responsibility on the ball. Some good work down the right presented Adam with a chance to score which he took with aplomb. At this point, we were on top. I felt that if we could score again and make it 3-2 we had a genuine chance of a result. However, we allowed BMFC in to score again and despite Anil slotting home to make it 4-2 shortly after, we were out of it. Two more soft goals made it 6-2. 

We are in the pre-season and this is the time to make our mistakes. I learnt a few things yesterday. At least 3 or 4 of the goals were scored on the break with balls down the middle. We talked about the pace they had up front but were caught square and duly punished several times. The back four need to cover for each other. If one defender is challenging for a ball the others need to drop back and provide some cover. The good news is this is easy to fix and I'm sure the back four will respond by playing as a much tighter unit next week. The fifth goal was a free header on the six yard box from a corner. Enough said. 

Second, BMFC were clearly fitter than us. Again this is easy to fix, but does require some effort. If you're not doing so already try to get yourself out to the gym or for a run early in the week and then attend the AsterixFC training on Thursday night. Our fitness is clearly needs to be improved and it's up to us all to work on it.

Finally, I was surprised by the lack of desire and confidence on the ball in the first half. Hopefully the way we started the second half would have given you all some confidence that we are good passing side with enough talent to score goals against any side in this league. We've got some good footballers in the club. Let's make sure we get fired up for the next game and have the confidence in ourselves and each other to play a passing game.

I always look for positives from every performance and I was very happy with the two goals we scored. Both came from wide play which began with simple balls in the middle of the park. We talked about getting the ball wide more often and the two goals we scored were the result of that.

Also positive was the season record for post match drinks at Jarrod andRawlins in Damansara. We had around 9 people in total. Notably, one of our party departed at around 7:45pm for his weekly roast lamb. He then surprised the regulars when re-appeared at 8:30pm to carry on drinking, having reportedly polished off his dinner and done the washing up. Now that's commitment. On a more somber note, another player departed around 8:05pm telling us he had to be home before 8:30pm muttering something about getting his crabs sorted out. Undeterred, several others carried on drinking until after 10pm and a season record bill was lodged at J&R.

Next week we play KL Vikings. After a defeat it's vital that we pickourselves up and put in a strong performance. Let's make sure we cancel the mistakes we made this week and put in a performance next week which is worthy of the the quality we have at Asterix Reds.