YFC 1 - 1 Alemania
On the 2008/09 VMSL season opener at Point Grey, Yaletown Football Club fielded what was meant to be a squad in a rebuilding phase. However the boys showed a familiarity with one another that was quite unexpected. YFC played an outstanding match, given that 5 players were making their YFC VMSL debuts. They controlled 70 odd minutes of the game in almost total domination of Alemania who barely entered the YFC half in the first 45 minutes. Alemania’s long ball tactics were being swallowed up tidily by Allyn Fong and Peter Rossing in the middle of defence while newcomer Darryl Sheepwash did a fantastic job at right fullback. Stuart Trann patrolled the flank at left full back and didn’t have too much to do given the amount of possession and tight marking from midfield as well as defence.
The second half started a bit differently with Alemania imposing themselves on the match for the first time, YFC’s tempo fell slightly and it gave way to a bit more of the ball for the opposition in Yaletown’s half. This lasted about 15-20 minutes and unfortunately culminated in a nice goal, where an Alemania attacker with his back to goal, turned on a dime (head down the entire way) and fired an unsavable chip into the top right corner. This woke YFC from its relative slumber and they began to wrestle the game from Alemania’s control, eventually pinning 10 men into their 1/3 of the field for extended periods of time. Alemania desperately attempted to absorb the pressure, but Darryl Sheepwash managed to gain a fraction of free space and fired home low to the left after some hard work by Yaletown’s forwards.
The game ended with Yaletown pressuring for the winner, but it wasn’t to be. On a night where the YFC attack forced the opposition keeper into at least 4 solid saves, while playing against 10 men behind the ball and the amount of possession they enjoyed… it was certainly a positive experience. Jackson Castellanos was excellent in midfield alongside newcomer Jordan Watson who was later named Man of the Match in his debut for the club. The midfield persistently won possession against a very physical opponent and it can be easily stated that YFC controlled the midfield absolutely throughout the game. Bruno Wanderley had a great debut fighting hard up front with Dan Rankin, alongside 4 other new signings in Jordan Watson, Jason Moore, Jackson Castellanos and Darryl Sheepwash. Antonio Rabelo did well on the left wing and Nima Farahmand’s runs down the right opened up a few good opportunities. While subs Arnie Emmerson, Dave McCormick and Jose Burgos provided fresh legs and many problems for Alemania in the second half.
All in all, Yaletown is encouraged by their season opener and are looking forward to showing Division 2A what they are about.