A lesson on how to be clinical in front of goal

Green Briar FC 1:5 Boston Olympiakos

A previously undefeated Green Briar team were brought back to earth by a Boston Olympiakos side who capitalized on almost every opportunity afforded them in front of goal. A hatrick performance by an in form striker Carlos Dimiz and two lapses in concentration from set plays put pay to any ambitions the Briar had of challenging the defending champions.

The 5-1 score line does not befit the cavalier effort put forth by the Briar players. Choosing to play with two strikers signaled the Briar's intent to take the game to the 2007 and 2010 National Champions, but clinical finishing coupled with a pair of goals conceded from corner kicks added to such a lop sided result.

McCarney,Hennessy,Doonan,Clarke,Altidore,Miller,Hardy,Caldwell(c),Roux,Beausang

Dupuis,Sexton,Claus,Nguyen,Samati,McGuinness,McLoughlin

Green Briar FC

Playing against the wind in the first half the Briar were looking to stay solid at the back while exploiting the pace and endeavour of Mickey Sexton and Braima Samati up front. The tactic was working well with the Briar enjoying significant time in Olympiakos territory.

Olympiakos' superior ball retention and off the ball movement saw them create two excellent goals when runners from the middle were not tracked sufficiently. The Briar managed to find a terrific goal of their own when Braima Samati kept his composure in front of goal to get the Briar on the board.

Approaching half time with the 2-1 score line still intact and looking forward to the wind at their backs in the second 45, the Briar were in a good position. That position soon was obliterated by poor defending at a pair of corners on 40 and 44 minutes that resulted in Olympiakos pulling away.

Pre-match formalities

A short corner routine was not closed down promptly, allowing a shot from the corner of the box to find the top corner. Soon afterwards a deflection in the box from another corner, fell kindly to an unmarked player on the six yard box and he scored to turn the once promising position into a mountainous climb in the second half.

Showing tremendous spirit and using the elements in the second half, the Briar created two wonderful opportunities to make a game of it. The harsh lessons of the day were summed up with both chances going begging while Olympiakos turned around and completed the master class of finishing by dispatching the fifth goal with clinical ease following a simple long ball over the top that held up in the wind.

A tough result but strong performance from the Briar, who now know what it takes to compete with the best in the league. Attendance at training has been woefully inadequate in recent weeks and perhaps if players improve their sharpness in front of goal and basic ball possession the return fixture will be a much different affair.

Line-Up: Dupuis, Roux, Doonan, Hennessy, Clarke, McLoughlin, Hardy, McGuinness, Caldwell, Sexton, Samati, Claus, Miller, McCarney, Nguyen, Beausang, Altidore