BEFC 3 - 5 Kodansha (Embassy Challenge Cup 2015)

  • Embassy Challenge Cup 2015 -BEFC vs Kodansha

On a fine sunny day BEFC travelled out to the Kenko Sports Ground in Omiya to play Kodansha in the first ever Embassy Challenge Cup.
The Embassy Challenge Cup was established in 2015 as an annual competitive match for BEFC to challenge a non-TML league side as well as create relationships with other clubs.

With a mixture of TML core players, an on loan goalkeeper and group potential new players, the 15 man squad was set up to rotate in an 80 minute game of 4 quarters.

The match opened brightly with a brisk tempo. The welcome but unfamiliar real grass made passes somewhat underhit compared to the higher speed of familiar artificial grass causing BEFC to give away cheap possession.
Kodansha didn't take long to show their intent, with two quick forwards splitting the attentions of the back line to each side of the pitch. Taka being played out of position at center back, and Sato were caught as Kodansha played a ball cross pitch behind the line, as the the Kodansha striker ran through clear on goal to put BEFC down 0 - 1 in the opening minutes.

Perhaps it was the grass, the fine weather, it not being a league match, but compared to league performance where BEFC set up to prevent this exact tactic, it was a surprising goal to concede.
Maybe Kodansha were not being given the respect they deserved, and they quickly struck again. With one striker again occupying one center back and pulling him out wide, a deep runner, not picked up, ran through the space and onto a through ball stunning BEFC down to 0 - 2. Looking for a reaction the BEFC attack had been getting close, but there was a fair bit of tension as players were shouting at each other to make simpler passes and combinations struggled to gel.

BEFC scored one back as Kentaro Takahashi was released down the left side and produce a strong solo effort to beat the defence and get BEFC back in the game.
With a quick talk after the first quarter about the wide players covering the fullbacks, and wariness of the quick strikers the 2nd quarter began better, until Kodansha made a point of attacking Sato at right back with an annoying young and sprightly winger. BEFC's build up play had improved but final third balls were often squandered, with the hesistation to just take on the defender in front of them and look for a pass which didn't come off. This was also marked by further frustration to the lack of movement and runs being made, of which some BEFC player got vocal about with their own side. It was noticeable in comparison that Kodansha were a team who regularly played together, as they moved their balls around in much smoother patterns.

As BEFC achieved a bit more success and pushed forward, they fell into the other BEFC bad habit of over committing, and when the ball was lost, Kodansha managed to counter attack with 5 players over a 3 man back line. Putting in two strikers for a 2 vs goalkeeper situation, and BEFC going down 1 - 3.

For the third quarter BEFC kept with the scheduled substitutions but changed to a 4-2-3-1 with the observation that Kodansha were getting far too much space in the center to put balls through to their deep runners.
This change in formation worked to some improvement but the quick winger continued to trouble the right back, even with more support from a covering midfielder.

BEFC's attacks gained a better platform and from a succession of corners Al-Otaidi managed to get on the end of a cut in ball to bundle it over the line, putting BEFC 2 - 3 and back into the game.
In such an open game and BEFC finding better control, the attack again pushed forward and once more caught on the counter attack, and a case of a missing fullback, as an unmarked winger broke through on goal.
Covered well by Oimichi who raced back, with Palmer shielding the inside, the winger did remarkably well to fire off a shot into a corner from distance. BEFC 2, Kodansha 4, and it seemed everytime BEFC made a comeback, Kodansha answered. 

The final quarter BEFC continued to push for goals, and the play was improving with a strong dominant performance in the middle from Oimichi utilising the power of 'POUNDER' to win possession. Diouf still had his work cut out being called on repeatedly (mainly by Witvliet) to go and shut down the quick kid! However Diouf got his rewards getting on the end of an attack and slotting home to bring BEFC to 3 - 4.

BEFC were looking stronger in the final quarter with a few missed opportunities in the face of goal, a current kink in BEFC's league performances being worked on. Palmer subbed himself back on to take care of the ever annoying quick kid, who Kodansha had not become tired of using to break open attacks down the flanks. This ensued a rather successful battle with the quick kid on the end of someone bigger he couldn't run past, so he resorted to providing the BEFC Captain with a bruised rib and inexplicably a handfull of testicles.

With Takahashi, Oimichi, Palmer and Diouf now screaming forward at pace with each possession, Kodansha were on the backfoot but BEFC still were unable to find the net. Almost with a comical equaliser when Takahashi's off-target shot, met Palmer's head, just flying wide of the right post.

However just when an equaliser looked possible Kodansha struck from a whipped in free-kick, as their player ran across the box and managed a volley beyond the keeper. In the dying minutes of the match it pretty much put the nail in the coffin and Kodansha took home the Embassy Challenge Cup of 2015!!!

Overall it was a fun and entertaining match on a real grass pitch which was a nice change to the artificial grass we're used to.
A little surprised that we actually gave them a cup and told them it was theirs to keep, Kodansha were keen to play us again, and us too since it was a good match, played in good spirits and open for the entire time.