By Melbcityguy - 10 Apr 2024 8:15 AM
10 Am today who's watching?
|
By Decentric 2 - 10 Apr 2024 11:50 PM
+x10 Am today who's watching?
Watched a replay this evening. Didn't want to waste the daylight.
Mexico applied a Full Press and Intensive Squeezing early in the game. It was well-coached and well -executed. Supposedly, it was hot and humid. If a team tries to play that level of off the ball intensity as high up the pitch as Mexico did, it is energy sapping at the best of times. Teams often run out of gas at the 55 min - 60 min mark. In the heat and humidity it would have taken an even greater toll.
There were a few comments here early on in the game, about Aus's lack of movement off the ball to support the ball carrier. It might have been a strategy to conserve energy over 90 mins, given Mexico were using up more gas. Once Mexico ran out of energy, Aus dominated possession and territory.
Nevertheless, the Mexican Full Pressing and Intensive Squeezing provided a challenge to Aus, as Mexico dominated territory early in the game.
Mexico used more of a Half Press and Moderate Squeezing off the ball in the second half. When they pressed further forwards, there was more space between the lines for Aus to play through. In Aus's Attacking Transitions and Ball Possession phases of play, it was much easier to play through increased space between and within the Mexican lines.
It was tough for Aus to receive and have the body position to play forwards early in the game. Notwithstanding, Fowler often held onto the ball against a number of opponents in the early stanza of the game, sometimes managing to create actions that led to build ups commencing with Aus players facing forwards. Impressive!
I thought it was some of the better football I've seen the Matildas play. I'm biased towards playing the possession game. There was more patience applied in build ups, with greater sequences of passes in structured possession and attacking interplay. The movement off the ball looked fine as Mexico backed off in their closing down of space. Credit to Tony G for moving away from the Matildas constant reliance on accelerated attacks.
Thought Torpey is a useful acquisition in an unfamiliar LB position. She played some intelligent balls and defended competently, tracking back well. Torpey has fast handing speed, with a nice body position as she receives, that results in a decent first touch. The technically correct first touch enables the second touch (often a pass) to be executed quickly after the first touch - equating to fast handling speed.
Raso's goal was a beauty! There was a neat sole of the foot turn and shot under a fair bit of defensive pressure.
|
|