Monday April 7 2008

2008 SAASL Round 1 - Hahndorf vs Adelaide Cougars               

Hahndorf commenced its new season in the South Australian Amateur Soccer League (SAASL) Saturday Division Two in the best possible way with a convincing and hard fought 2-1 home win against Adelaide Cougars.

Having lost several influential players from last year, due to injuries and transfers to other clubs, Hahndorf first and reserve teams had to reinvent themselves again, especially since being placed in a tough Division Two group, composed for the first time by 12 teams. The SAASL in its perennial restructure of all the amateurs’ championships, has made this year Division Two very tough indeed, with four clubs being relegated and two only moving up with twenty three games to be played.

Hahndorf aim is to consolidate in this Division and if this first game is an indication it will be a hard and long road for the club, with its coaching staff and supporters warned that their health may suffer by the time the season ends.

Hahndorf applied the pressure since the very beginning and deservedly took the lead after 10 minutes in the first half with an own goal from a Cougar defender. The early goal set the pace for the rest of the game which gradually increased in intensity with the Cougars unable to overrun the tight defence controlled by the veteran Wayne “Baresi” Forrester. There were many moments during the game where the play switched side several times in a matter of seconds with Hahndorf creating counter attack opportunities that threatened the opposition defence. Hahndorf two South American stars, Roly “Ronaldo” Tobar and Martin “Cambiasso” Moran, well supported by a midfield composed by John Lawler, Craig Cottle and 17 year old Alex Oldham, created havoc in the opposition team.

The game was played at high intensity and after 20 minutes from kick off, Tobar had to be substituted after receiving a knock on his leg. Although unintentional, a “well built” opposition player literally fell on his leg causing Tobar intense pain. Finally, five minutes from the half time whistle, the Cougars were awarded a penalty that allowed them to equalise. The game was there for the taking and both teams fought hard to gain the advantage, resulting in Hahndorf having to substitute two of its player due to injuries. Steven Ness, who had earlier on replaced Tobar, had to be substituted because of a hard tackle and Moran, after being elbowed on his head by a defender, who was lucky of not being sent off, was also replaced.

Nevertheless, the two substitutes, the 17 years old Jack Goodfellow, another player from the all conquering Hahndorf Under 17 team from 2007, on his very first senior game, and Ashley “ Ush” Parr, continued to give Hahndorf the intensity and passion required to finally give the team the lead. After his second attempt, Parr finally put the ball past the Cougar goalkeeper causing the Hahndorf supporters to explode in a rapturous applause. With 25 minutes to go, the game continued to be played at high intensity and emotion took over some of the Cougars players. After a dangerous tackle against Hahndorf Brad “Smiling” Francis, which caused temper to flare, a Cougar player was finally sent off, by the hard working referee, who probably wished he was home watching “Days of our Life”. Goodfellow threatened on the counterattack several times demonstrating advanced soccer skills that could make him a regular in the first team throughout the season.

The rest of the game continued to be tight, but the score did not change and Hahndorf deservedly took home three very important points after a hard fought game. As seen in the German Arms Summer tournament, Hahndorf approach to play “as a team”, using the principle to attack and defend as a team is playing dividends.

Best on ground were Danny “Tarzan” Pace, and Johnny “Beckenbauer” Lynn.

Hahndorf Reserves lost their first game 4-3 against a more experienced Adelaide Cougars who were able to capitalise on the few opportunities that they were given. 

Hahndorf started well taking an early lead through a goal from newcomer Lukas “Johnsy” John, who from a free kick outside the area shot a “missile” that the keeper was unable to stop. With the opposition in disarray, Hahndorf was unable to finalise the opportunities created and add another goal that could have changed the game. Hahndorf lost its concentration and slowly the Cougars players started to gain confidence and before the end of the first half, they regained control and took the lead 2-1. Hahndorf started the second half without the experienced defender and new acquisition Stephen “Dalglish” Noble and had to readjust its defence. Nevertheless, it had the right team attitude finally obtaining a well deserved equaliser with Lachlan “Steve” MacQueen, through a powerful shot after a slow build up from the defence.

Hahndorf was unable to maintain the intensity and the Cougars, again took the lead with two quick goals. The last twenty minutes were intense with Hahndorf scoring a third goal and getting closer to an equaliser.

It was disappointing for the Hahndorf team to lose after having demonstrated to have the ability to dominate and control the game for long period of time. The concentration lapses played a role in the final score; however, the team is showing signs of improvements each week, with many players starting to step up.

Next week, Hahndorf will travel to Hallet Cove for another tough encounter.