Report

AUSSIES ON TOUR FOOTBALL CLUB (ASIAN CUP)
vs Sunbelt Asia United
14 July 2007. Bangkok, Thailand.
Stevenine, KaiserChief, Wallnuts, Guyza, Jozo, Macca, Sparke83, Liam, Gordo,MathewKenna, Anto, Cbead (c), Tait, Longy, Ianski, Eric

Aussies On Tour FC have gone down fighting in the extreme heat and humidity of Bangkok, to the well drilled outfit of Sunbelt Asia United FC. Very much like the team-s initial games in Germany, half of the AOTFC players met each other for the first time only minutes before the game.

The first half saw the Sunbelt team dictate a lot of play and had several chances to score early. The AOT team, still getting to know each other, played nevously and were guilty of some fundamental errors which reduced their effectiveness to attack. The first goal came from a backline mishap which gifted the Sunbelt team with possession near the 18 yard box and they put away the chance to go 1-0 up after about 15 minutes.

The Aussies galvanised after this and some sparkling footbal from Tait and Eric lead to some chances which went begging. What looked like a definate Sunbelt hand ball in the penalty area was denied by the referee despite the AOTFC protests. Keeper Ianski made some terrific saves in the first half, but unfortunately at the 34th minute, a seemingly innocuous shot from outside the area rolled over his arms and into the net for Sunbelt-s second goal. Sunbelt kept up the pressure, but some class defensive work from new guys like Liam, Jozo and Wallnuts kept them at bay until half time.

Halftime score 2-0 to Sunbelt Asia United.

At halftime captain Cbead encouraged the team to keep their heads up, we were playing a well drilled and structured team that played week in and out, and were matching them in many areas of thr game. We also stressed to play to our normal positions, and to tighten up the defence by playing a deeper backline with a sweeper to repel their forward attacks. We also put Macca in as Keeper with Ianski playing in the right back position.

The tactic change paid benefits as AOTFC controlled more ball after the break, with the backline being well directed by Guyza who never shut up. The extra possession allowed the midfield to gain many metres in the middle and the flanks which gave the forward players of Stevenine, KaiserChief and Tait several chances on goal. In the 70th minute Longy stole possession from a Sunbelt player near halfway and weaved his way through the defence, to send a pass across to Stevenine who smashed in the goal to bring the score to 2-1.

In the 76th minute, the Sunbelt Japanese striker got through on goal and was felled by a challenge from Guyza in the area. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty to Sunbelt. The spot kick was taken and Macca dived to his right to brilliantly save.

The game became very open with AOT pressing hard for an equaliser, as well as Sunbelt pushing to put the game in the bag. A rocket of a shot from KaiserChief was somehow saved by the Sunbelt keeper late in the game.

The fulltime whistle went (at 80 minutes) and the game was over, a 2-1 victory to Sunbelt Asia United. Everyone who played for AOTFC can hang their heads high... we had 8 players we met for the first time today who fitted into the team seamlessly, and played the game exactly how we always play, hard and fair..

A big thank you to Sunbelt Asia United and their organiser Tytus for the opportunity for AOTFC to play another international, and the spirit their team played the game. Once again we learnt that football can bring together people from all parts of the world regardless of race, religion or language barriers, and the experience for us was totally enjoyable.