FC fails to take over… a disappointing 0-0 vs. Burgata...
Both teams needed to win this game. Burgata with only two wins this season, and FC wanted to avoid the pressure after last week's loss vs. Vitkin, but neither team could score. The Red'n'Blacks came very close at the end of the game, but missed on the opportunity.
FC players, in their white outfit for the first time this season, were enthusiastic before the game begun: Uzi Galimidi, one of the best defensive midfielder in the league had joined the team for the first time this season. Combined with head coach Mauro K. back on the sidelines for FC, hopes were high as Zalman (the ref) opened the game. As usual, FC was slow in getting into the spirit of the game. Burgata had the control, but luckily for FC, Yakum's defense was in the right mode today. Despite the absence of Elic L, FC's right defender (put on injury list with a severe shoulder injury and might miss the rest of the season), the defensive unit of the Red'n'Blacks kept the goal area clean for most of the game. Uzi G. inspired a calm and responsible feeling on his first game, and FC's Achilles' heal gave a good performance today. On the other hand, FC's midfield and offense were weak and anemic, and let alone one good chance - created with Ithay R. giving a great cross from the right, to find Ran R. in the area… only Ran was tripped from behind by a burgata player - a penalty… NOT! Zalman ignored the obvious foul! The first half ended in 0-0.
The second half started in the same pattern. Burgata's full-back, one of the best ever playing on Yakum's beautiful court, prevented FC from creating any significant events for the first 15 minutes of the half. Then, around the 20th minute, the talented player left the field and the Red'n'Blacks came alive. Eyal B. combined with Uzi and Ilan A. and FC took over the tempo. FC's recovery was marked by Roi C, who chased a defender in the right wing, took over the ball and cut into the middle, leaving Burgata's goal keeper behind but his finishing shot was saved from the line. (A possible penalty - the ball did hit the hand… not according to Zalman!) FC kept on the pressure; Ilan A. had two chances against the keeper but one was blocked by a defender, and he sent the second one over the post. A disappointing 0-0.
When the game ended, the microphone man was looking for Uzi G. "I was a little unhappy with the way I played. I felt heavy and tired… it may be the Jet leg effect…" said Uzi, "but I'm very happy we kept our net clean. If we manage to do that in all the other games, it is very unlikely that we'll lose." Coach Mauro agreed saying: "this is the ABC of football - you can't lose if the other team does not score." Eyal B, on the other hand, was disappointed: "we must win games like this if we ever want to move up in the table." He stated firmly "Burgata is not Ahituv or Givat-Haim…"
It is not known yet whether FC is
scheduled for next week, but the team needs to go back on the winning track
if they're ever to become a real threat on the no. 1 place; the question
remains - do they have what it takes?