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Randal Smith
The
Han River Harriers created a bit of team history on Sunday, handily
beating the Seoul British Football Club 4-2 in an exciting free-flowing
game of football. The Harriers narrowly overcame the Jokers in the final
of the Paju tournament last season, but this was the first time they
defeated their rivals in a league game. In their last meeting the Jokers
humiliated the Harriers 9-0.
Evan and Christophe put together the line-up. Defense was stressed, the
idea being to contain the Jokers in the first period then make adjustments
from there depending on how the game progressed. Containing the lethal duo
of Matt & Pat was a task assigned to Kevin and Randal respectively. Joel
as center-back and Lawrence as stopper would hold the center.
Against Seoul United several weekends ago the Harriers employed a line-up
heavy on mid-fielders and paid the price accordingly. Racing back to
defend against United¡¯s blistering counter-attacks on a large pitch in
particularly hot weather took its toll and soon the legs just weren¡¯t
there anymore.
This game would be different. Cooler weather and the pristine artificial
grass of Seoul Foreign School gave Harrier midfielders a chance to fully
exploit their dribbling and passing abilities. Didi, Daniel, Christophe,
and Trent put together some brilliant combinations.
One play in the second period stands out. Trent cushioned a bobbling pass
on the top of his boot, brought it under control, then side-footed to
Christophe who quickly one-touched to Dan running parallel. An SBFC
defender got a foot in and caused the ball to bounce up. Dan juggled twice
then flicked the ball backwards over his defender to Didi who moved
towards goal. Didi delivered a waist level pass to Alain unmarked on the
left. Alain only slightly mistimed his volley but it was enough to send
the ball rocketing over the bar. Alain, Markus and Lawrence are the
Harriers¡¯ most versatile players, equally comfortable in midfield and
defense.
In front of goal the Harriers¡¯ strikers showed more invention than they
have in their last few outings. At one point in the first period Dan
dribbled down the left side of the box, gained a step on his marker, then
delivered a beauty of a pass across the goal face: hard and just over head
level. Evan, well positioned in front, leapt up and hammered the ball
directly into the middle of the net to put an emphatic end to his recent
goal drought.
Dan, an import from the New Zealand national league, came into his own
this game. Against Incheon he scored a goal and did well to keep
possession. But his play was tentative and his passing reluctant. In this
game he looked much more settled and was at the center of many creative
passing plays. If his first goal is anything to go by, Dan will be a
powerhouse in the league, perhaps on the level of Fudje, Steve Hyland, or
Jackson Koffi (Darren Bernardo¡¯s latest find).
The play that led to the goal in question began after Harriers stopper
Lawrence stripped SBFC mid-fielder Cisse of the ball then edged it to Dan
hovering just outside the box. Dan faked inwards duping two pursuing
defenders then pivoted sharply to the left, a move that gave him just
enough space to deliver a devastating angled shot into the right side of
the net. Michael, the Harrier¡¯s keeper, had a clear view of the
proceedings and called the shot one of the prettiest he had seen in recent
years.
Later in the same period Dan took an indirect free kick over the wall that
missed the corner of the net by inches. In his approach he made as if to
shoot for the far corner but the moment he saw the SBFC keeper flinch he
changed direction and shot for the near post.
Excitement was high at the first break. Evan had to take charge and remind
everyone that there were two more periods yet to go. When the teams
resumed play the Jokers looked set to take the game back, with Pat and
Matt making blistering runs down the flanks; however, the intensity was
short lived. Sometime near the beginning of the second period, the effects
of a difficult game against St. Pats the day before, not to mention the
obligatory night-before boozing by some of their players began to take
effect. Both Pat and Matt looked tired as did most of SBFC¡¯s defensemen.
Some Harrier defenders complained of a strong smell coming from Ben (and
we¡¯re not talking Tiger Balm). Matt also looked tired, and at one point in
the third period he dropped to one knee to catch his breath.
Wayne and Cisse were about the only Jokers who played up to par. Even so,
Wayne had his hands full trying to manage the constant attacks against his
goal. At the other end of the pitch Cisse was relentlessly pursued by his
ex-teammate Christophe who was playing under the admiring gaze of his
girlfriend Ji Hyun on the sidelines. Other Harrier fans included Evan¡¯s
daughter Samantha, Joo Young, Dave Dillon with his daughter, and Sean who
was serving out his suspension for a bit of naughtiness in a previous
match. Tragically, Tina was no where to be seen.
When the Jokers came back on the field it was obvious they were knackered;
the bottom had fallen out. Old strike partners Andy and Evan were up front
for the Harriers. Hemmed in by two defenders on the right flank, Andy back
heeled the ball, turned 180◦, then followed up with one of his vintage
runs strait at goal; 3-0 for the Harriers. It was nice to see Andy score
after such a long period on the injury list.
Christophe and Dave also had near misses. Christophe received a high ball
and deftly trapped it with his chest. A quick dash down the left side
found him one on one with the keeper who was brave enough to come directly
at Christophe, cut down the angle and smother the shot.
Lately Dave has not been playing the football he is capable of. He was
brilliant throughout his time with the UK Expats (his former team) and
also playing against the best in the league in the all-star game last
year. Weaving his way down the left side of the pitch he would deliver
picture perfect crosses. Something has changed: he¡¯s lost his mojo.
Speculation is that the energy he used to put into his play now goes to
the team. He is the founder and manager of the Harriers and puts in a lot
of effort to keep the Harriers a well-oiled machine.
In any case, for a brief moment in the third period against SBFC Dave
showed a flash of his old self by confusing his marker with a quick feint
to the right. He then drew the ball back and made a dash down the field.
In full flight, just as he reached the top of the box, Dave kicked a
cannon ball of a shot over the finger tips of SBFC¡¯s keeper; a near miss.
Didi¡¯s goal in the third period was his first goal with the team. He
managed to keep his head during some confusion in front of the SBFC goal
and slot the ball home.
Credit to SBFC, completely knackered by this time, and with the score at
4-0, they didn¡¯t give in. One of their strikers headed the ball and would
have scored had Michael not made a diving save. Later the same striker
extended his leg to prop a looping ball just over Michael¡¯s head and into
the back of the net: 4-1.
Ben also scored. With his marker behind him he leapt up to meet a cross
and popped it into the net with the inseam of his right foot. It was the
final goal of the match. Head referee Will blew the final whistle a moment
afterwards. Both Will and his partner Christopher did a fine job whistling
off-side plays but otherwise playing the advantage and keeping the flow of
the game. Not that they had much to call as both sides played a fairly
good natured match.
It¡¯s telling that the two SBFC goals came when both Markus and Joel were
on the bench. Man of the Match honors go to Markus for his determined
defending and intelligent play making under pressure. Joel was a close
second. One SBFC player (American, heavyset, with short curly hair) has a
massive throw, almost the equivalent of a corner kick. Joel was constantly
getting there first, heading these throw-ins out of danger. But two saves
Markus made were crucial. On one he just managed to get to the ball as it
was heading in the net; on the other he intervened on what would have been
a one-on-one between Matt and Michael. For these he gets the nod.
Jubilation over the Harrier¡¯s victory has been tempered with the
announcement their keeper, Michael, wishes to retire. Everyone knows the
difficulty of finding competent goalies let alone goalies of Michael¡¯s
caliber. Hopefully he¡¯ll have second thoughts...
Scorers: Evan Hale, Daniel Aliaga, Andy Collin, Didier Balistire
Man of the Match: Markus Hatzelmann
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