Announcement
29 Dec. '07. In today's last match, the Internationals faced the Kendall Coalition White who upended the Michigan Wolves on Thu., 3-2. It was a mid-day game at the Hess Fields at DWWS with bright sunshine, blue skies and warm temps, and Ben N. & Jamie returned to play from their red card suspension in game 1 vs. CASL, but Matt H. would not suit up to play due to concussion suffered in yesterday's match against the Wolves. The first half was played evenly with the Coalition taking 6 shots on goal while committing 5 fouls (including a YC shown to #26 for a hard foul on Patrick, and a YC shown to #9 for a hard foul on Skylar). The Internationals would manage 8 shots on goal, including an almost-goal setup by Brian's head-flick of the ball in the Coalation goal area to Stephen H. who then passed it back to Brian who then launched a left-footed strike from about 18 yards which sailed wide left of goal. The Internationals also setup 2 corner kicks which went awry while committing 6 fouls (including 4 offsides and a YC shown to Jamie for a missed slide-tackle foul, and also to Vitalis for USB on the call); however, the Internationals were able to take the early lead at the 12 minute mark after a Coalition played pushed Jamie in the back in the goal area, and Vitalis struck in the PK and the half ended, 1-0, Internationals. In the second half, the Coalition stepped up their offense attack and relentless counter-attacks, shooting 8 times on goal and would find the equalizer goal at the 2 minute mark off of a run by a Coalition player through the center of Inter's back line where he struck in a hard shot from about 10 yards out center. Just 5 minutes later, a Coalition player deftly maneuvered in between Inter's left backline and took the ball to the end line where he then sent a low cross across the goal mouth to a teammate who was in good position to slam in the go ahead goal, 2-1, Coalition. The Coalition committed 8 fouls (including 2 offsides), while the Internationals committed 7 fouls (including 4 offsides). The Internationals managed 6 shots on goal and all but one went awry, including a nice attempted goal by Brian at the 26 minute mark after making some evasive moves on the Coalition defenders to send a hard shot towards goal from about 18 yards on the left which just missed wide of the left post. But, the Internationals unlucky streak this tournament would end in the last minute of the matc at the 39th minute. After a foul by the Coalition about 20 yards out on the left, Skylar and Ebo lined up to take the free kick. Ebo ran up to the ball, feined the left-footed kick and then Skylar followed behind to crack the hard right-footed strike through a crease in the defense to find the back of the net, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Footnote: Congratulations to Vitalis for his selection as an All-Star player by coaches for his superior play during the preliminary matches and invited by Chelsea FC along with 17 other players from the various teams in the Showcase Division to travel to the UK and train/compete with Chelsea youth next 27 Aug. - 2 Sep. '08. Way to go V!
