A moral boosting win for the Taifa stars keeps hopes of qualifying for the world cup alive. They sit second in the group just one point behind Ivory Coast. A man of the match performance from Ulimwengu helped Stars record a 3-1 win over the Atlas lions.
First half:
Stars began the game on a high tempo rattling the crossbar within the first 3 minutes. They also dominated the game. Salum and Domayo had time on the ball with the strategy being playing diagonal balls over the defensive line for Ngasa or Nyoni to run onto. It has become customary for teams using to 4-2-3-1 to defend in a 4-4-1-1 formation thus ensuring numerical parity in central midfield as the withdrawn forward picks up on of the double pivots of the other team. Morocco had problems in this department. None of the two forads dropped on to Salum or Domayo. This allowed the two Stars midfielders to receive the ball in between Moroccos forward and midfield line.
Moroccos front four looked disjointed during the defensive phase with gaps appearing at the centre of the park. However, though Stars took command of the midfield, they lacked penetration often limited to efforts outside the penalty area. The only time they managed to get the ball in behind their opponents defense was when Ngasa crossed for Samatta.
Morocco were a menace down the flanks and in fairness their attacks were more ominous compared to those by Taifa stars. Kapombe and Nyoni looked shaky on 1 v 1 situations. Morocco had height advantage but didnt put many crosses into the danger area to unsettle the defenders. Their threat came from corners where on several occasions got to the ball first. Their wing play has improved considerably bearing in mind their AFCON display. That said it was also aided by Stars positioning.
Positional play
It has now become common to see Kiemba deployed as a wide attacker on the left of midfield. He is by trade a central midfielder and like the game against Burundi during the CECAFA tournament, he spent more time closer to the two holding midfielders than out wide. There are probably two reasons why Poulsen keeps him in his starting eleven
With him positioned slightly inwards, the opposition fullback could maraud forward. Credit still has to go to Kiemba for tracking back. Ngasa took a potion slightly higher than Kiemba during the defensive phase on the opposite wing. Ngasas positioning made sense because inorder for their strategy to work he had to play higher up and try get behind the opponents. This in turn allowed the fullback to venture forward unopposed.
Second half:
Ulimwengu came in for Kazimoto who had a quiet game and the impact was immediate, scoring on his first touch. The switch meant that Ulimwengu was the lone striker, Samatta went wide left Ngassa wide right and Kieamba behind Ulimwengu. The goal galvanized Taifa stars. Ulimwengu turned the game on its head largely due to his physicality. The Morocco centre halves had a walk in the part in the first half but Ulimwengus introduction gave them, and especially Achchakir. He hustled for the aerial duals making life uncomfortable for the centre back. The two goals that he set up for his club teammate came as a result of his willingness to fight for the ball. This is what was lacking in the first half. All aerial balls to the diminutive figure of Samatta were lost.
Morroco did remain a threat down their right hand side. Samatta was lazy to tract back and neither Chuji nor Domayo were willing to cover for him. After the third goal Morocco were down and out.
Conclusion:
This was a game won purely be one individual. His physicality and willingness to hustle for balls that his partner made no effort to do so was the difference. It gives Poulsen something to ponder about and whether his starting eleven should include the front four that finished this game.
The wings are still a problem. Much work needs to be done both offensively and defensively. Attacking wise, there is no traditional winger that will naturally try take on players and get crosses in. Ngassa has pace to burn but his tendencies to drift inwards are detrimental to the team. He and Samatta need to work on their defensive side of the game. This is not a question of cant do but rather wont do. It has become mandatory for wide attackers to tract back and apply themselves defensively largely due to the increasing use of fullbacks in the offensive phase.
Poulsen has done a commendable job and should he rectify those above mentioned problems then he is on the right track.
First half:
Stars began the game on a high tempo rattling the crossbar within the first 3 minutes. They also dominated the game. Salum and Domayo had time on the ball with the strategy being playing diagonal balls over the defensive line for Ngasa or Nyoni to run onto. It has become customary for teams using to 4-2-3-1 to defend in a 4-4-1-1 formation thus ensuring numerical parity in central midfield as the withdrawn forward picks up on of the double pivots of the other team. Morocco had problems in this department. None of the two forads dropped on to Salum or Domayo. This allowed the two Stars midfielders to receive the ball in between Moroccos forward and midfield line.
Moroccos front four looked disjointed during the defensive phase with gaps appearing at the centre of the park. However, though Stars took command of the midfield, they lacked penetration often limited to efforts outside the penalty area. The only time they managed to get the ball in behind their opponents defense was when Ngasa crossed for Samatta.
Morocco were a menace down the flanks and in fairness their attacks were more ominous compared to those by Taifa stars. Kapombe and Nyoni looked shaky on 1 v 1 situations. Morocco had height advantage but didnt put many crosses into the danger area to unsettle the defenders. Their threat came from corners where on several occasions got to the ball first. Their wing play has improved considerably bearing in mind their AFCON display. That said it was also aided by Stars positioning.
Positional play
It has now become common to see Kiemba deployed as a wide attacker on the left of midfield. He is by trade a central midfielder and like the game against Burundi during the CECAFA tournament, he spent more time closer to the two holding midfielders than out wide. There are probably two reasons why Poulsen keeps him in his starting eleven
- He has no wide attacker or winger he can trust thus forced to play Kiemba there
- He values Kiembas energetic display that he simply cant afford to have him on the bench even though he knows his best position is in central midfield; positions occupied by Domayo and Salum.
With him positioned slightly inwards, the opposition fullback could maraud forward. Credit still has to go to Kiemba for tracking back. Ngasa took a potion slightly higher than Kiemba during the defensive phase on the opposite wing. Ngasas positioning made sense because inorder for their strategy to work he had to play higher up and try get behind the opponents. This in turn allowed the fullback to venture forward unopposed.
Second half:
Ulimwengu came in for Kazimoto who had a quiet game and the impact was immediate, scoring on his first touch. The switch meant that Ulimwengu was the lone striker, Samatta went wide left Ngassa wide right and Kieamba behind Ulimwengu. The goal galvanized Taifa stars. Ulimwengu turned the game on its head largely due to his physicality. The Morocco centre halves had a walk in the part in the first half but Ulimwengus introduction gave them, and especially Achchakir. He hustled for the aerial duals making life uncomfortable for the centre back. The two goals that he set up for his club teammate came as a result of his willingness to fight for the ball. This is what was lacking in the first half. All aerial balls to the diminutive figure of Samatta were lost.
Morroco did remain a threat down their right hand side. Samatta was lazy to tract back and neither Chuji nor Domayo were willing to cover for him. After the third goal Morocco were down and out.
Conclusion:
This was a game won purely be one individual. His physicality and willingness to hustle for balls that his partner made no effort to do so was the difference. It gives Poulsen something to ponder about and whether his starting eleven should include the front four that finished this game.
The wings are still a problem. Much work needs to be done both offensively and defensively. Attacking wise, there is no traditional winger that will naturally try take on players and get crosses in. Ngassa has pace to burn but his tendencies to drift inwards are detrimental to the team. He and Samatta need to work on their defensive side of the game. This is not a question of cant do but rather wont do. It has become mandatory for wide attackers to tract back and apply themselves defensively largely due to the increasing use of fullbacks in the offensive phase.
Poulsen has done a commendable job and should he rectify those above mentioned problems then he is on the right track.
