Adecco MVP BEFC vs SUNS - James Pounder

  • Adecco BEFC MVP vs SUNS - James Pounder

The big match in deciding the possible division two champions featured a full captains debut for Nils Simon with Ben Palmer away in the UK, and BEFC debut for Kenta Nagasawa. This match would be crucial in the current 3-way fight for the title with the loser very unlikely to claim the crown and the winner narrowing it down to the last two matches against Sala.

SUNS started off with a lot of possession, and BEFC sat back patiently with SUNS started long ball tactic which gave them a couple of early chances, as BEFC were getting adjusted. It was then BEFC started to get a few half chances of their own - Katase with a run down the left flank into the box, just waiting a bit too long to lay off the ball, and Bato with a shot from the edge of the box with his weaker foot. After that, BEFC slowly gained the upperhand, and came to big chances within the first 20 minutes. A brilliant ball by Bato from the left to Katase in the middle was denied by a strong save from inside the box and shortly after another great strike by Katase from the edge of the box, again denied by a great save.

Just before the drinking break, SUNS got a break with their striker escaping Blancafort and running at Sasada for a one on one. Even though it seemed his faint worked, Sasada somehow managed to get his foot on his shot while diving to the opposite side. A change in formation saw Bato move inside and the BEFC DMs had gotten used to the long ball tactics by then. At the stroke of half time Bato again put a great through ball to Kawakami, who got to the ball just before the keeper inside the box - PK, which Bato slotted in without problem. After half time, BEFC continued defending well, and got to the occasional chance. Kawakami had a one on one with the keeper, and a few times BEFC were unable to play the final ball well enough. SUNS increased the pressure, allowing space for the  BEFC front three and another through ball to Nagasawa on the left wing gave him a chance to score on his debut, and he slotted it into the far corner of the goal.

When it came to MVP nominations there was a lot of praise for Nagasawa on his debut, his work-rate, impact and intention to create chances and make things happen. However the final plaudits went to the defensive midfield in James Pounder who effectively shutdown SUNS in the middle of the park, stopping them from playing balls on the floor and repeatedly cutting out their long ball attempts in the air, or winning everything in the air for 90 minutes. This control by the midfield (including Owatsu) relieved the pressure and allowed the BEFC attackers the release to do their damage. 

The Adecco MV for BEFC vs SUNS is James Pounder!

With this crucial victory SUNS dropped back into second place, BEFC now ahead on equal games by a single point with two games to go and setting up another huge match against arch-rivals Sala!!
The winner of that match almost guaranteed to decide the D2 Champions!