El Salvador 3 - YFC 2
Yaletown played out their first loss of the summer in the second game of the MSA season. Against a skilled El Salvador side, YFC started a bit disorganized and were unlucky to concede the first goal on a rebound that fell perfectly to an El Salvador player.
The game was in El Salvador’s control for most of the first half hour but eventually YFC began to assert themselves by creating a couple chances with some good wing play.
After the restart, with the score standing at 1-0, some good passing and great movement in the midfield and wings resulted in great football. However most forays into attack resulted in ineffective finishing, and with Yaletown pushing hard for an equalizer spaces were left for El Salvador to exploit and they grabbed a nice second goal after a run into the box from the right winger.
YFC never gave up though and kept pressing, a pass from Jose Burgos found Nima Farahmand who finished low after a good run through the opposition defence. YFC continued to create chances, with shots from midfield, good passing behind the defence and crosses into dangerous areas but were unlucky on this night. El Salvador took full advantage of their chances all night and tucked one in from close range past first time YFC keeper, Fernando Villegas after a run from the right and a square ball onto the striker’s boot.
The game slowed down a bit, with YFC still pressing to score however some tired legs began to show and with no subs the likelihood of scoring dwindled. The referee, who did well all evening, saw a handball in the box after a YFC shot from the 18 and a penalty was awarded. Arnim Wiek stepped up and executed an unstoppable spot kick to the side netting with the keeper guessing correctly.
All in all YFC put in a good performance and were unlucky to concede first which made them chase the game and leave space for El Salvador’s skilled midfield and attack to take advantage of. The finishing wasn’t there today and the opposition did well with their chances.