Coach's Corner IV - Game 2

After our first game, we found ourselves sitting in second place in our group, trailing the leaders Kunsbacka IF by goal difference (+7 to +5). We would have to maintain that position to reach our goal of qualifying for the "A" playoffs.
There are debates that rage about what a coach's job actually comprises. Some feel coaches should only teach. Others would add "motivate", "analyse", and "discipline" to the list. The one thing I am sure all coaches would include is "worry". Just as players can always rationalize their mistakes and omissions no matter how devastating the consequences, so too can coaches always find a reason to agonize no matter how well things seem to be going.
Such was the state of my mind on the second game day. The previous day's big win had left our boys buoyant, and I was very proud of course, but I hoped we weren't expecting such an easy time the rest of the way. It did not help my state of mind to know that the boys were aware that today's opponent had been beaten by 7 goals in their first game. The situation provided fertile ground for complacency to grow. It didn't help my concern that the night before the team had reveled in the joyous opening ceremony, capping the late evening off with a moonlit ice cream picnic in the park neighboring the school. By the next morning, they were still swooning from the magic of the previous night more than they seemed to be focused on the day's task.
I decided to try to inject a dose of reality by taking the team to the Heden Center to see a showcase game in their group between IF Brommapojkarna of Sweden and FC Praha of the Czech Republic. The Swedish team were dazzling. Speed and technical proficiency at every position were combined with collective movement that created gaping paths through the Czech defense at every turn and in every part of the field. It seemed that every Swedish position created a real threat to the Czech goal. Moreover, every chance thus created was efficiently placed on goal. Only the heroic efforts of the Czech keeper prevented the score from being more lopsided than the final 8-0. This was what we had come to see, and to have a chance to play against. I hoped that the boys recognized it would take a better effort than that of the day before to earn such a chance. I hoped the boys recognized that the Swedes had shown us how well I expect us to play one day.
We returned to Inlag, and repeated our routine of the day before. Today's opponent were Alvsjo AIK FF, a large club from Stockholm. They too had their share of "Swedish spruces", tall and robust fellows, but they also had a nifty if small central midfield #10 who unsettled us with his dribbling forays. We were clearly the more skilled team overall, but as opposed to the day before, our play was more selfish and disorganized. Apparently expecting the easy game I dreaded we'd expect, we repeatedy held the ball longer than necessary. We were no longer willing to trust our teammates by playing the ball to spaces, often being punished by loss of possession when the in the same situations a day earlier we would have found a way to play someone in. Our own goal was rarely threatened, but there was no rhythm nor variety in our play. Even the good chances we created were squandered by the extra, unnecessary touch. Our first goal came fortuitously when a headed clearance from our back line by George eluded their outside back. The ever-alert Patrick swooped in to finish before the charging Alvsjo keeper could close off the angle. A 1-0 lead at halftime seemed a paltry return, given our technical superiority, but the second half proved no easier. We allowed them a foothold in the game which they were only too happy to accept. Urged on by our frustration, they continued to use their physical presence to deny us space, while counting on #10 to provide a spark that might cinch an equalising goal. But after a goalmouth scramble resulting from a missed clearance, George pounced on the loose ball to gain a 2-0 lead that both looked, and proved, secure.
Two games in, two victories, and no goals conceded, yet I had not shaken my worry. On the whole this effort was a step back from the day before, and our hardest games were just around the corner. Clearly, we would need a better effort the next day against Kungsbacka who, by defeating IFK Valla 4-0, now stood atop the group by goal difference (+11 to +7). We spent some of our time at school that night talking about trust in one another, about playing for the group rather than for our individual selves. We went to bed early with renewed commitment.

LISC 2 Alvsjo AIK FF 0

Shots (on goal): LISC 18 (12) Alvsjo AIK FF 5(1)

LISC Goals: Patrick, George

LISC Assists: George