It was a pretty depleted AKITA team that met in the Western Park Sports Centre. Because of holiday, injuries and other reasons, only 8 players could make it. Thanks to Rolf for coming to support Lars, Matsuo, Joakim, Yoann, Ulf, Michael, Florian and PA.
The match started quite slowly for AKITA, after conceding on the first action, a missed penalty allowed Phoenix to lead 2 - 0. PA shot from 9 to bring the first goal and Michael brought thing to parity after 5 minutes but as AKITA missed 2 more penalties Phoenix was once again ahead by 2. Joakim well placed received a good pass from the half to score his first but some wide shooting and one more penalty missed significantly pulled AKITA backwards. With 8 minutes to go in the first half, the scored climbed to 8 - 3. AKITA stopped the rot, but not much better as another Joakim goal and Ulf first were quickly answered to reach the half on 10 - 5.
At the half time, Wan was prompt to remind the players that it was just because of some unfortunate shooting on AKITA side and a little bit of good fortune on some Phoenix shooting that the gap seemed so large. During the game, both teams fared almost equally with AKITA in fact having slightly more chance of shooting.
A strong start for AKITA helped putting pressure back on Phoenix as Ulf scored first before Florian stepped up on penalties to score 2 in a row and bring back AKITA in sight. From there on, the match reached summits in tension. Phoenix's half left scored a penalty to restore a 3 goals advantage but Michael answered on the following attack. Immediately the same half left scored his 6th of the day. Florian managed to answer before Matsuo caught fire from the hald left position to first bring back AKITA to one goal and then keep them in contention with 2 additional furious shots from the 9 meters answering Phoenix goals uppercut for uppercut. As Phoenix number 2 scored his 8th on a penalty. A quite fired up Florian added his 4th putting pressure on Phoenix as AKITA was still navigating 1 behind. Shortly after replacing Michael on the right wing PA scored with a curved ball in a tight angle but once again Phoenix restored a 2 goal advantage.
In such a tight encounter, the referees had to whistle a lot and the defending was always on the edge. With the adrenaline at its high Florian saw some more space and was able to go through the defense for 2 more goals to come back to 17 - 17 with 5 minutes to go. This was the first parity since the 5th minute. Phoenix did not let themselve be intimidated as they scored back. Ulf restored parity demonstrating the fighting spirit that prevailed in the second half. On the following attack, PA got the double sentence of a 2 minute suspension and a penalty when he stopped irregularly Phoenix number 2 from a clear wing shot. An action which got vindicated by Wan who stopped the penalty giving AKITA a ball to move ahead! This was deemed to go to Florian who scored his 7th to make it 19 - 18. Phoenix did not want to die and number 17 slotted a ball above Wan head for parity.
With 1 minute to go and the team back to full strength, the bench was asking AKITA to make this attack long and productive. After turning the ball around, Ulf finally found Yoann who forgot all his bruises and pain of the day with a traditional wing shot in the far corner and a potentially decisive advantage. It was still not over. AKITA had to defend for 15 seconds with all their heart. Following some rumble, they pushed the ball in a throw in with 4 seconds to go. Phoenix still had a time-out that they took to try to organise a last shot with their keeper coming in to help. AKITA moved their players to stop the ball as fast as possible out of the throw in and amongst too many players, Florian emerged with the ball and just had to throw it the other way around to confirm a 1 goal win and 3 essential points.
This was not a very remarkable technical performance but this was a very strong mental one that ensure that promotion will be decided on the direct encounters against HYDRO and MAGIC. Next Sunday's match against HYDRO will be the most important one of the season so far!
Florian 7, Matsuo 3, Ulf 3, Michael 2, Joakim 2, PA 2, Yoann 1
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