First Training Session (2)

After the match resumed, Team 2 once again started to control the tempo of the match. This time though, they didn't manage to create any chances,Team 1 used a low block. Everyone seemed to have instinctively come into an understanding of how they were going to play. Absorb pressure from Team 2 until someone eventually made a mistake then go on a counter attack.

That issue which was almost non-existent for Team 1 was the main reason why Team 2 hadn't really been productive. The four man midfield preferred a possession based system. Absorb pressure on one side of the pitch to create space on the other side, then release the ball to the other side and exploit the space that has been created.

The only issue with trying to implement this style was that the defenders couldn't hold the ball under pressure hence the midfielders were forced to contain the ball within themselves. This caused them to lose the ball unnecessarily and create a lot of opportunities for Team 1 to make a counter attack.

23'

Archie Black (Team 2 central midfielder) got the ball from Alexis and turned to avoid a Team 1 midfielder that was rushing at him from behind. His simple then had presented him with a large pocket of space. He moved forward a bit before dropping a line breaking pass towards Michael Uche who was making a run towards the left hand side of the box.

The pass itself was a work of art. The ball seemed to move slowly in the eyes of everyone watching but for some reason, even though the defenders attempted, they couldn't block the pass. Joshua Target (Team 1 central midfielder) even went all out and attempted to use a slide tackle to block the pass but the ball eluded his outstretched leg.

The Team 1 center backs then tightly marked Michael Uche. If they couldn't stop the ball from getting to Uche then they had to stop Uche from getting to the ball.

Michele Uche struggled away from the marking of the two center backs who were marking him and managed to connect his left foot with the ball and sent it towards the bottom right corner of the goal post.

Andy Callohven who was standing at the right side made a quick dive towards the far side of the post. He couldn't do anything however, he could only watch in dismay as the ball went past the line and entered the post.

"Team 2, goal!" Xavier said while blowing his whistle.

"Get in!" Alexis said. He rushed over to celebrate with his team then walked back to his position.

While he was walking back, he replayed the pass that Archie sent to Michael in his head. He couldn't make a pass like that, it was simply… brilliant!

The ball didn't seem to be moving very fast yet nobody could stop it from advancing. It just moved between everyone until it got to its target. Alexis looked at Archie and nodded slightly. He was acknowledging that Archie was a better passer than him, at the moment of course.

The remainder of the first half passed without any major happening. Team 1 went on a few counters but they just lacked that end product in front of goal. They would've scored a couple more goals if they were clinical enough.

Xavier blew his whistle and the first half came to an end. He gave the two teams a five minute rest, allowing them to do whatever they wanted.

When the break came about, Team 1 members made a team huddle and started to discuss tactics and play styles that they were going to use in the second half. Team 2 members on the other hand were very disorganised, some just sat on the pitch while others went away to check their phones or get some water to drink.

Alexis sat in the middle of the pitch while staring at the goal post opposite him. He had to impress the coach, but so far he had been nothing but a side character in the match so far. He hadn't done anything that would make him worthy of the coach's attention.

He kept thinking for the remainder of the five minutes and only snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Xavier's whistle.

Team 1 made a pass from the center and restarted the game.

31'

As soon as the second half started, Team 1 went on the attack. Ryan Carter (Team 1 striker) sent the ball out wide to James O'Riley. James dribbled the ball forward a bit then sent a perfectly timed through ball to Liam Walker (Team 1 Right Midfielder). As Liam was making a run for the ball, Ethan came out to make the tackle. Liam caught up to the ball and touched it a bit, redirecting the ball between Ethan's legs.

He ran into the excess space that he had and sent a perfectly weighted cross into the box. Team 2's center backs went for the ball but they couldn't stop Jonathan Dennis from striking the ball with his head and nodding the ball towards the bottom right corner.

Luckily for Team 2, Sam Butland got a strong hand to it and knocked the ball out of bounds for a corner kick.

After that attempt, Team 1 went on a defensive. It seemed as if they were going to continue using their first half tactic. Absorb pressure then go on a counter.

Contrary to what happened in the first half though, Team 2 didn't give them much chances to go on a counter attack. After a bit of friction initially, the midfielders had developed some chemistry with each other. Even the defenders has started to get into the game. They were no longer clumsy on the ball and made good passes.

41'

After dancing away from an encirclement, David Archer passed the ball to Alexis. Alexis turned to his right to move away from a midfielder that was rushing at him. As soon as he turned, he found himself moving into a huge gap of space. A sly smile appeared on his lips as he saw this... This was his chance to impress Xavier!