Saigon raiders vs Olympique was the fixture. 2pm was the kick off. HOT was the temperature.

We lined up with a strong starting 11, in a formation of 3-4-1-2. Crowding the midfield knowing they had some real talent all over the pitch. The game began and immediately Olympique began dominating the ball making all of us work hard to get any kind of control on the game. Anytime we did win the ball back they were so quick to put pressure on, it was hard to keep possession for any length of time. Making it virtually impossible to get the ball up to target man Niko and his strike partner Stefan.

Ten minutes of real hard work from raiders and 10 minutes of 80% possession from Olympique resulted in them taking the lead. Fatigued from having to defend so hard, without any sort of breather we struggled to keep the French out and they scored another 2 in very quick succession. One being a poor error however totally understandable and one just The French getting a huge slice of luck. Not prepared to just lie down raiders battled hard still not stopping to catch breath we fought to keep it at 3 nil until half time. Still not managing to create a decent chance. But the French weren’t having it easy. And we kept physical with them every step of the way.

Half time the lads rehydrated and morale was still ok, because we know we are a good side that’s not going to give up. And they’re French and let’s face it they do. (Give up).

The second half kicked off with a 4-4-2 lining up. Once again though the French had a lot of the ball and although Pete and Jerry won every challenge, header, and 50/50 they could, as a side we just could not get hold of the game. And the French scored again. And then quickly again from a corner. Perhaps just poor marking. But a very good header from probably their best player. Again the lads fought and worked so hard but they were just very good with the ball and on the day we just weren’t.

The match ended 6-0 which although hard to believe maybe a slightly harsh scoreline on us. However the French will have walked off that pitch knowing they had to work for it. But on the day they were the better side. Fair play.

On to the next one. We’ll forget that one. Come on lads!

Written by this week’s Turkey moment holder, Harry Stevens.

Man of the match: Harry Stevens

Coach Pat’s verdict

Positives:

• Kept the ball well, passing and movement off the ball were decent
• The game is over, learn from it, but don’t dwell on it.

Negatives:

• Individually we need to be stronger and more confident on the ball
• Strikers and midfielders need to win 50/50s
• Communication – not enough talking
• Unlucky bounces lead to their goals
• 0 goals scored and 0 shots on target? Have a go! But test the keeper