COLOURFUL CLEATS AND SPECTACULAR GOALS

All eyes were fixated on the parking lot eagerly awaiting the arrival of Cristian to soothe the nerves. I am only assuming that everyone breatheth a sigh of relief when Goran's message came in stating Cristian's entourage were ten minutes away.

One would wonder if majority of the boys had preplanned wearing their new soccer cleats in yesterday's game. It looked like a Puma, Nike and Adidas showroom on the turf field. Money well spent.

Before a ball was kicked, the London Whitecaps   parents were impressed with the Woodbridge Strikers entry and warm ups. One parent in particular said, "I can tell a good team based upon their arrival and pregame drills",

Strikers not knowing those comments, concurred unknowingly with a completely dazzling display of team soccer.

Within minutes of kick off Strikers went under pressure and I figured that this would be a true test for the boys.  Eventually it didn't materialize as such because Strikers play proved to be superior.

I was informed that at Wednesday's practice the coaches said that crossing drills would not cease until someone scored. Crosses were accurate and actually picked out specific persons with pin point precision in the game. Marco benefited from such relentless training by scoring one of if not his best goal thus far.  The trajectory of his strike appeared to have taken every possible options into account making it impossible for the opponent's keeper to save.

It seems that coming almost late gave Cristian a louder voice which proved beneficial for his defensive unit and team overall. From the stands you could hear his instructions being given...shift, switch and play back. Daniel too realized that there are spectacular goal within his arsenal and all present got a glimpse. He latched onto a pass played off the orange boot of Gianluca , swiveled and dispatch with astute distinction into the bottom corner.

Ethan had only the field curator to blame for too much paint laid on the crossbar. It was a move that had speed, craftiness finished by unleashing an unbelievable strike to see it ricocheted off the crossbar. To grandpa disbelief a soccer guru, himself.

Marco tried his best to receive man of the match award by releasing a straight volley into the net given to him on a plate by Fateh. Leaving mom delighted that she made the trip to witness his artistry.  Another game showing improvements in ball movements, moving off the ball and covering.  Reminder to the boys to encourage their teammates positively even in cases where there is an error. Whatsoever is done in games will surface also within tournament, everyone has a role to play in the concept of team.

Well done Woodbridge Strikers for making the long drive back fun and exciting, this is what winning does.👍👍
16-1-1 ⚽ 🥅