Ho Kwok Pui Zhen/HK Giants

Sunday 20^th was the 2^nd game of the 2^nd part of the season. We were playing Ho Kwok Pui Zhen, team never played before. Direct concurrent for an accession to the top 5, it was a must win game. And with 3 training sessions in the past week, we were ready to rock.

Once decided the 14 players, and few minutes to sweat, it was time to take our place on the pitch and warm up the keeper.

A few minutes later, we were starting in defense. The game plan was clear, strong defense and easy combinations in attack, sure passing. And the beginning of the game followed it perfectly. On their first attacks, our opponents can’t find any way through us and were getting closed to be punished for the time. Hopefully for them and despite our goalies’ amazing stops (penalty shoot, 9 and 6 meters shoots, we kept doing some little mistakes that helped them to score, mainly from the wings.

On the other side of the pitch, we played well, no fancy stuff or silly passing which brought us to lead by 3 goals after 15 minutes. A few substitutions later, and with a strong flopping from our opponents, we got two times 2 minutes penalty in 3 minutes. Good chance for them to get back on track and score 2 goals to be only 1 goal behind.

We spent the last 5 minutes playing easy and reach the half time on the score of 11-9. A few recommendations later, motivated to win our 4^th game of the season, we were back on the pitch. 2^nd halves are usually for us quite messy, and it’s when we lose our games.

But trainings start to show some results, and we definitely keep the game in hand, defense very strong and basic but efficient attack. After 8 minutes, we scored a 3-0 to definitely take the lead and try to kill all their hopes.  They replied by another 3-0 a few minutes later, which made us doubt. And, for the first game, we didn’t lose focus and directly scored a 5-0. It was too much for them and the last 7 minutes, despite their aggressive defense on the whole pitch, we kept our 6 goals lead until the final whistle.

We for sure, showed some nice things during this game, in attack and defense. Refereeing was a bit strange sometimes, but we are use to it and we must try to stop talking or complaining. Once again, only trainings can make us better and give us a chance to win stronger team.

Highlights of the game: for his last game with the Giants, Stefan scored 6 goals (best scorer). Our goalies Tim and Angus who stopped many shoots, Fabien who played very well despite his hole in the foot. The team spirit and the beers at the end. Thanks also to Kamil, who due to the number, couldn’t play the game but stayed and cheered for us. And Florian, who had to go out the pitch after 1 minute because he was not wearing his froggy green short!

A few trainings are planned, we need to come over and play together, improve the combinations and we can definitely win a few more games!

See you all on the pitch very soon.