Team WoW Trumped Again

Team WoW 3 - 4 Athletico Firpo
(Schaap 2, Foster)

Team WoW have lost their second consecutive match, prompting concerns that they are not up to the demands of the notorious green league. The boys from Taroona could easily have won the tie, with a number of clear cut chances being created. On the night, though, Athletico Firpo proved to be the better side as they took the few chances they had.

Team WoW looked to have returned to their best in the first few minutes, playing some fluid passing futsal and defending well. They fashioned a couple of half chances, a notable one being Iain Koolhof's nutmeg of the keeper, which just skimmed the outside of the post. Against the run of play, however, Athletico Firpo managed their first of the night. Some sleek passing was finished by a fierce first-time strike; Riske had no chance. They soon made it two; this time Riske was caught out at the near post. Team WoW then rallied and tried to snatch a goal to bring themselves back into the game. The inclusion of Phil Gale, who had arrived late, provided extra flair in the attack. Again, though, Team WoW were undone by expert passing and Athletico Firpo made it 3 - 0 before half time.

The Team WoW camp dissected the first half in the break. Some lazy defending and hesitant attacking were found to be among the chief culprits for the deficit. They came out strong in the second half, determined to take something from the game. Sol Foster found the net after just two minutes. Thompson played a glorious lofted ball from the defence found Jordan Scott, who directed his header into the path of Foster for a half-volleyed finish. Team WoW saw a glimmer of hope, and Robbie Schaap grabbed it with both hands, scoring two in quick succession shortly after coming on.The first was a well-directed left-footed finish, the second; a trademark thunderbolt. Team WoW were level, but they had no intention of stopping there. Scott returned to the field and was fed a neat ball by Foster, but the pressured strike was denied by the keeper. Foster then tried his luck - about fifteen times; he blazed a handful over the bar, clipped a few around the post, and miss-hit two or three which barely made the goal. Darling also crafted a chance but couldn't find the net on the turn. Some hectic defending, and some glorious saves from Riske, were keeping Firpo out at the other end, but the pressure eventually told. On the verge of a comeback, Team WoW were left heart-broken at 4 - 3.

Though a stunning game for the neutral, Team WoW were less than impressed by their performance. "We wasted a lot of chances," Captain Andy Thompson commented after the game. "They took theirs - that was the difference tonight." Thompson has now failed to score in two games, and there are suggestions that a gruelling period of med exams has taken its toll. Iain Koolhof rushed to the Canadian's defence, urging the fans to be patient and promising that he will be back at full speed next week. One positive of the game was Robbie Schaap's performance, his brace earning him his second man of the match award and a clear gap at the top of the scorer's list with an impressive 7 goals from 4 starts.

Team WoW will be on display again next week in a must-win encounter against Awesome Futsal Team at Aurora.