 Photographs from today are in the Werder Weekly slide show |
Date
June 27, 2008
Participants
Simon Hutchinson, Munir Merchant, Wayne Smith
Report
Simon Hutchinson and Munir Merchant’s game ended goalless. Hutchinson had most of the possession and attack during the game. But his figures kept coming up short of the ball when he pushed the ball into his opponent’s shooting zone, thereby, turning over possession to his opponent. Simon had the only shot on target in the first half that required a save by the goalkeeper. Most of the time when Munir attacked Hutchinson forced him wide on the wings, thereby, preventing him from getting into a decent position. In the second half Hutchinson kept pushing figures forward in attack, depleting his defensive line. Merchant came closest to scoring in that half. His best shot was almost dead center, but Simon saved it in a spectacular manner.
As the game ended as a draw the players agreed to practice a shoot out as the ASA Open is tomorrow. Munir saved Simon’s first shot, and scored with a spectacular chip over the goalkeeper from his shot. Simon scored with his second shot, and Munir’s was wide of the goal. Merchant saved Simon’s third shot from straight on, and then scored with his shot. Both players missed their fourth shots. It all came down to the fifth shot. Munir saved Simon’s shot, and although he had already won the shoot out he took his shot and scored to win 3-1.
Munir Merchant took Wayne Smith by surprise driving down the right straight from the kick off, rounding Smith’s defense, and scoring from a shot that struck Wayne’s goalkeeper but he was unable to stop. Thereafter the game was pretty even. Merchant enjoyed about 40% of the possession and pushed the ball up to Smith’s shooting line on several occasions. At the other end Wayne did have the ball in Munir’s shooting zone more often but was either blocked or shot wide of the goal. Merchant did make a spectacular save midway through the first half. Shortly after Smith pushed the ball around the left side of Munir’s defense and scored to tie the game.
Wayne had the lion’s share of possession in the second half. Munir made two saves to keep the score level. Then midway through the half Smith scored the winning goal with a shot from the right. In the last few minutes Merchant made another good save to keep Wayne’s lead at just one goal.
Simon, who had laborious return from New Hampshire today, professed he was too tired to play another game. And Munir declared he wanted to save his energy for tomorrow’s ASA Open. Therefore, the night came to an end after these two games.
Results
| Simon Hutchinson | 0 | v | 0 | Munir Merchant |
| Wayne Smith | 2 | v | 1 | Munir Merchant |