16’ ⚽️ 0-1 Estudiantes goal
28’ ⚽️ 1-1 Ehud Eblagon goal, Mati Yelen assist
56’ ⚽️ 1-2 Estudiantes goal
82’ ⚽️ 1-3 Estudiantes goal
87’ ⚽️ 1-4 Estudiantes goal
Top row (from left to right): Gato Schwalb, Nico Grinberg, Zequi Lubocki, Martin Lagman, Alan Kaler, Misha Marianoff, Max Russell, Didi Hovav, Niv Gittelman and Martin Siber.
Bottom row (from left to right): Facu Cervigni, Kevin Packer, Nico Milieris, Ehud Eblagon, Mati Yelen and Matias Cabuli.
Yesterday’s game was one in which the result once again did not reflect the quality of the performance. We played a tough Estudiantes side and unfortunately we did not come out with the result we wanted despite playing well for the majority of the match.
In the first half, a neutral would say that we were the better side. We came out sharp, keeping possession and creating opportunities going forward. Our pressing was also on point, as we cause many turnovers in the attacking third that caused a lot of frustration for them. Facu Cervigni, in particular, was able to use his pace and strength to create danger for us going forward and getting in behind their defense.
Defensively we were also solid. In particular, Estudiantes’ full backs and wingers pushed very high and they threatened us in most cases using long diagonal long balls which forced us to track back and defend one-on-one on the wings. Despite this difficulty, we were able to adjust and for the most part keep their very fast forwards in check.
In terms of the scoring, Estudiantes was the first to score. A through ball from their right flank found their forward running behind our back line, who finished well.
However, as we continued to play our game, we were able to equalize the score. From a corner kick, their keeper cleared it with his fist. The ball came towards an open Ehud Eblagon at the top of the 18-yard box. He controlled the ball with one touch and tucked it in the corner with his right to make it 1-1.
We came back into the second half with the same energy and tempo. However, their forwards began to find some more space in our defensive third and create problems for us.
Not long into the half, their left winger found himself behind our back four. He dribbled into our 18-yard box, Alan Kaler slid across and made slight contact with the forward, which led to a penalty which they converted.
After that, Estudiantes enjoyed the momentum and our fatigue kicked in a little bit. Although throughout the half we did have a few chances ourselves. One specifically worth mentioning is Mati Cabuli’s overhead kick from about 15 yards out which nearly ended in the back of the net from a cross.
However, before the second half ended, Estudiantes found more space going forward and capitalized on their chances, making it 4-1 for them.
In all, we played a great match and put another hell of a performance. Having said that, there is frustration that comes with not getting the results that we want. The team may be upset and Head Coach Zequi Lubocki said on that, ''I take it as a sign that at this point we are holding ourselves to a high standard and expecting us to get points going forward.''