One way match!

It’s fair to say this.

Without a brilliant performance from Al Jazira, but with the right mentality to take the points from this match.

This was a fun match to see some upcoming talents, as both teams displayed a few younger players, at key positions!

For example, both Al Wasl Centre-Backs were born in 2008 (age category allows the use of players born until 2007), or Al Jazira had 1 CB and 2 Midfielders also younger.

It’s great to see that teams, and Coaches, have no problems in having a mix of talents at these ages, because still there may be physical differences if we are having potentially 1 to almost 2 years difference between players!

Al Jazira presented what seemed a GK+4+4+2 formation with a diamond shape at the midfield line, and 2 super fast players ahead (#70 – Mansoor and #48 – Ali). 

At times, it seemed to be converted into a GK+4+3+3, when the Offensive Midfielder (#62 – Hamad) was up on the field, almost as fake 9, but generally, giving the freedom that that specific player had, I assume the diamond 4 as their normal dynamic.

Good individual profile for each position, specially at the defensive line.

Offensively, the left-back (#76 – Ekramy)  was more active, supporting consistently the attack and using the support of the Holding Midfielder (#63 – Islem) that was more positional and less active on attacking plays, guaranteeing the support net in case of a ball is lost and the team is facing a counter-attack.

On their Attacking approach, the team tried a lot of play in the central corridor, which is interesting due to the being the most congested area on the field, but also a natural consequence of having a diamond-shape at the centre.

As I said initially, without a brilliant performance, the team got the goals relatively fast and controlled the Game after that, also due to the ineffective strategies and approaches from Al Wasl, and still had a few chances to increase the score during the 2nd half.

On the other hand, the visitors Al Wasl, presented a more rigid formation in a GK+4+1+4+1 with simpler processes, mainly offensive.

The team wasn’t sufficiently calm to try to get the ball with more quality to the forward players, adopting a more direct style, trying to find the space behind the Al Jazira’s defenders. 

However, due to the profile of the home teams’ defenders, it was very hard to get any ball under control and even when fighting for the 2nd ball, the profile of both Offensive Midfielders wasn’t the best for duels.

Both #10 – Abdulrahman and #12 – Salem showed their technical qualities and capabilities, specially the #12 – Salem that always tried to be connected to the Game and use his speed as well, but their profile isn’t the best for a Game of duels, fighting for the 2nd balls, etc.
They tried, but not successfully.

The defensive line got some interesting profiles, specially considering the age of some, and were guided by an amazing example, the captain #5 – Mayed that never turn his face to fight for a better score.

Defensively, the team struggled many times, from the first pressure allowing the ball to get in the central corridor, to then bing explored on the sides and/or the spaces behind the defensive line, there were some behaviors that need tactical adjustments.

Although we can see Professional teams as FC Barcelona display tactics based on the offside line – ie, having the defensive line going-up on the field when the opposite team has an open-ball and can make the pass to the vacant space – it is extremely hard (and in my opinion besides not being a sustainable strategy, to be very, very risky) to train and do in the match.

It requires extreme focus, coordination, communication, tactical awareness that is hard for Professional Players, imagine for Youth Players during their development stages!

There were some interesting individual talents, on both teams, and coaches not being afraid to have younger talents on the field!

In total, there were 12 players from 2008 starting at this Game!
Very good!

Looking forward to see these teams more often in the future!

Have you seen these teams before?
What’s your opinion?

Let me know!