Has just returned from a 3 month Academy Coach Education program in England. While he was there, he continued to write reports on the Academy structure at clubs Manchester City and Rochdale. Sections of Bert's coaching reports from England will appear in the FACA Insight magazine. He is now with a delegation from Georgia Soccer including Jacob Daniel in Costa Rica with the U17 National Team. While he is there he will continue to send his coaching reports for us all to enjoy.
I will update these report as and when I receive them. Please check back regular to keep updated on the U17 National Squad by someone who's right at ringside. (Enjoy the report)
The U-17 matches in Heredia, Costa Rica opened up Tuesday with the US against El Salvador.The field was very heavy, soft, and damp.The grass was thick and wet which made for a slow surface. The players for both teams struggled a bit when dribbling and first touch was at times sloppy.The US controlled the tempo early and sought to get behind El Slavador's defense with long range passes.El Salvador attempted to posses the ball in the midfield using a 4:3:1:2 formation.The US opened with a 4:4:2 formation and maintained the system throughout the match.El Salvador switched at halftime to a 4:3:3 system
Key Players:#20 for El Salavdor had superior touch and technique.He was not well supported by the three midfielders which decreased his effectiveness and abilty to build the attack for the forwards.
#9 for the US Team was strong in the air and worked well with the midfield.Also, the central midfielders #5 and #4 for the US were able to conrol the forwards for El Slavador and keep them from penetrating.#6 for the US was able to get into the attack from the flanks and caused the defense for El Salvador some problems.
Match Insights: El salavador was consistent in their attempts to play out of back, especially on their goal kicks.While they had some effictiveness to build out from the Left back #12, the were unable to posses the ball through the middle third of the field and into the attacking third.Also, El Salvador played with a sweeper behind three backs. Often the backs over shifted to one side when the ball was on the flank which left them exposed to crosses on any switch of play. The US scored the second goal from a pentrating run on the right flank which stretched the defense for El Salavador created an open goal for the US forward.
The US was physically much stronger in all areas of the field and had only to contain #20. While the US did move the ball in the midfield, they did not change the point of attack enough to expose the poorly organized defense for El Slavador. The US team, however, was never really challnged and once they adjusted to the field conditions, they were able to control the flow of the match.
Coments from John Hackworth, U17 US Coach following the match."The field was very heavy and soft underneath.We were able to train on the pitch on Sunday, but for only one hour. We are happy with the result and I think the first game gitters are behind us."
Match #2 Costa Rica vs Cuba.
Match Insights:Both teams opened with a 4:4:2 formation.The Cuban team played with a diamond midfield, while Costa Played with a left and right central midfied. Costa Rica played zonally in the back as did Cuba. Costa Rica had better team speed, physical strength and height, technical players, and speed of play.Cuba defended exceptionally well and the central midfielders did a good job of closing the passing lanes in the middle of their defense the first half.Cuba resorted to counter attack and did have two good chances to score. One opportunity came off a bad clear from the Costa Rican keeper. #11 for Costa Rica, left forward, scored the first goal unassisted on a nice run from the right side. The second goal came from a long cross on the right side and finished nicely by the Costa Rican forward who brought the ball off his chest and finished in the right corner of the net.Once again height proved a factor for Cuba has they could not win the 50/50 ball in the air.
Key Players Costa Rica:#11 left forward and #10 the right outside midfield were technical strong and able to combine effectively. #4 and #13 in the central midfield were physically strong and won most of the 50/50 battles in the middle.they were able to build into the attack which kept Cuba in a defensive shell most of the game.
Key Players Cuba:#8 attacking central midfielder was very small, but had exceptional mobilty, vision, and technic.he was able to organize counter attacks for Cuba and seldom lost control of the ball.It should also be noted that the coaches for Cuba did an excellent job of organizing their team and were able to defend effectively in the first half and slow the agressive attacks from Costa Rica. The coaching staff maximized the potential of the squad which was technically and physically weaker than Costa Rica.
