Date
Saturday August 23, 2008
Participants
Adam Carlson, John Carroll, Edgar Flores, Dominic Hutchinson, Simon Hutchinson, David Jensen, Jason Mitchell, Munir Merchant, Kevin Nieman, Ian Sayer, Wayne Smith, Steve Tucker
Winners
Open
- Winner: Wayne Smith
- Runner up: Steve Tucker
Mary Jane
- Winner: Ian Sayer
- Runner up: Dominic Hutchinson
Under 19
- Winner: Dominic Hutchinson
- Runner up: Adam Carlson
Report
The Western States Open returned to California, where it was first played in 1999, after a four year absence. Fittingly the turn out for this tournament was the largest of any event in the history of the Southern California Subbuteo Club, with twelve players competing for the trophy.
Among the competitors was Wayne Smith, who had won it twice before when it had been played in the Golden State, in 1999 and 2004. And we welcomed a new player, David Jensen, who was undertaking a baptism of fire on his return to the world of Subbuteo.
The top three seeded players were allocated to the first three groups. But the fourth seeded presented a problem as both Simon Hutchinson and Kevin Nieman were equally ranked. A toss of a coin decided that Simon was the fourth seed, and he was allocated to Group D. Ironically when the draw was made to allocate the other players to the groups Kevin was drawn to be in Group D too.
As there were only three players in each of the four groups the organizers had decided that the players would play each other twice. Otherwise four players would have only played three games before being eliminated.
The top two players in each group qualified to the Open quarter finals. The third place players would play in the Mary Jane semi finals. As Adam Carlson and Dominic Hutchinson were Under 19 they would meet in an Under 19 final too.
Group A: Wayne Smith, Munir Merchant, Adam Carlson
Wayne swept the group winning all four of his games. Munir finished in second place beating Adam twice. Adam lost all four of his games, but he was proud that he had scored two goals against Wayne in their second game. This was the most goals Wayne conceded in a game in this tournament.
Group B: Steve Tucker, David Jensen, Jason Mitchell
Steve Tucker won all four of his games, and did not concede a goal. David gave Jason a scare in his first game coming from behind to tie 2-2. Jason beat David in their second game, giving him second place.
Group C: John Carroll, Edgar Flores, Dominic Hutchinson
John was the third seed to win all of his group games. Edgar and Dominic fought
to a goalless draw in their first game, so the second game between them would determine who would progress to the Open quarter finals and who would play in the Mary Jane. Dominic made the decision to
"throw" the game as he wanted to play in the Mary Jane. Every time Edgar made a shot at goal Dominic moved his goalkeeper out of the way of Edgar's shots, and when one shot struck the post he dragged the ball into his goal with his goalkeeper. Just before half time referee yellow carded Dominic for
"ungentlemanly conduct" warning him if he continued to do this in the second half he would be ejected from the tournament. In the second half Dominic played his usual game, scoring a goal and he did not concede another goal.
Group D: Simon Hutchinson, Ian Sayer, Kevin Nieman
This group turned out to be the hardest fought group. Simon and Kevin both defeated Ian in the first round of games, and tied 0-0 in another defensive battle. The second Kevin versus Simon game became a must win for both players if they wanted to avoid Steve in the quarter finals. Simon scored in the third minute of the first half and held on playing a strong defensive game to win. Simon finished top of the group after beating Ian with a goal scored directly off a corner, it struck the back of the goalkeeper and into the goal. Even though the final positions in the group was assured before the final game it did not stop Ian pulling off one of the upsets of the day beating Kevin 2-0.
The Open quarter finals paired Wayne, winner of Group A, with Edgar, runner up Group C, Simon, winner of Group D, with Jason, runner up Group B, John, winner of Group C, with Munir, runner up Group A, and Steve, winner of Group B, with Kevin, runner up Group D.
In the Mary Jane semi finals Adam, Group A, was paired with Dominic, Group C, and David, Group B, with Ian, Group D.
Open quarter final: Wayne Smith 5 Edgar Flores 1 (HT 2-1)
In the first quarter final Edgar's little (Zuego) goalkeeper made a lot of saves in the first half to limit Wayne's scoring to only two goals. Before half time he pulled a goal back.
"It was awesome," was his description of the goal, "off a corner kick the ball
landed right on my figure and I scored."
"He got serious and dominated," was how Edgar described how Wayne played in the second half. Wayne was so dominant he scored three more goals, struck the cross bar twice and the post once.
Open quarter final: Simon Hutchinson 1 Jason Mitchell 0 (HT 0-0)
Despite Jason's description of the first half as "One way traffic" Simon had three quarters of the possession, but he was frustrated by Jason's defense and struggled to get into shooting positions. Soon after the start of the second half Simon scored a quick goal, and then defended in numbers to hold onto his lead only breaking into attack with two or three figures at a time. Towards the end of the game Jason became increasingly frustrated as his offense was stifled by Simon's defense.
Open quarter final: John Carroll 1 Munir Merchant 0 (HT 1-0)
Most of the first half was a midfield battle with players only getting a few shots. In the twelfth minute in the first half left Munir drove down the left side only to miss the ball when it was just outside John's shooting zone. John
immediately launched the ball diagonally across the ball to a figure on Munir shooting line, and shot the moving ball into the goal with just one second left in the first half.
The second half was still a midfield battle but as the game wore on it became "less disciplined" with many changes in possession. Right at the end Munir tried to repeat John's goal scoring move, but when he shot he blasted the ball over the goal with just three seconds remaining.
Open quarter final: Steve Tucker 2 Kevin Nieman 0 (HT 1-0)
Both players described the game as a "standard back and forth game". The difference between the two was that Steve had more control with his possession and shots on goal. At the start of the second half Kevin was a goal down and playing more desperately as he sought an equalizer. He did have chances but he either rushed them or did not take them. With a goal lead Steve could take his time with his offense and shooting, and this relaxed attitude allowed him to push into Kevin's shooting zone and score a second goal.
Mary Jane semi final: Ian Sayer 2 David Jensen 1 (Extra Time, HT 1-0, FT 1-1)
It was an even game that fit the old adage of a "game of two halves". Ian dominated the first half, and David did the same in the second. There was a question as to whether Ian scored his goal in the first half or if it was an own goal. Ian
"flubbed" his shot which struck David's goalkeeper's rod and stopped behind the goalkeeper. In a reflex move David pulled his goalkeeper back, as if to move it out of the path of the now stationary ball, and dragged it into his goal. In the closing seconds of the second half David pushed the ball through a small opening in Ian's defense and
"hammered" the ball into the goal.
Ian dominated the "golden goal" extra time. In the five minutes it lasted David only had possession for about half a minute. Ian took three shots at goal and scored with his third, from the left high into the right side of the goal, to advance to the Mary Jane final.
Mary Jane semi final: Dominic Hutchinson 2 Adam Carlson 1 (Extra Time, HT 1-0, FT 1-1)
Most of the game was played in midfield as both players tried to retain possession long enough to get a shot on goal. Dominic scored first in the first half, and Adam equalized five minutes later. Both players got increasingly
frustrated with themselves and each other as the second half wore on as they could not get into position to take a shot on goal.
The extra time continued as the second half had ended. Eventually Dominic flicked a long ball from the left to dead center of Adam's shooting zone in front of one of his figures. Adam's defensive flick struck the ball, so his figure was moved back. Referee Jason Mitchell repositioned the ball and Dominic scored to join Ian in the Mary Jane final.
Open semi final: Steve Tucker 3 John Carroll 0 (HT 2-0)
The whole game was described as "even" with most of the play in the middle of the pitch, and possession went back and forth. Steve goals came from drives through the middle of John's defense. The difference between the two was not necessarily their shooting but their opponent's defensive line. When Steve attacked he always found gaps in John's defense big enough to push the ball through and to flick a figure through to take a good shot at goal. At the other end Steve kept his defense in line restricting John to having to try to push the ball and figures through
"tight spaces".
Open semi final: Wayne Smith 2 Simon Hutchinson 0 (HT 1-0)
Wayne described the game as "tight" and "not easy", despite this he still scored a goal in either half to go through to the Open final. The goal in the first half came from the left side. Wayne took a free kick quickly, after Simon's foul, and made a chip shot while Simon was making a defensive flick. The ball went over the defense and goalkeeper and into the goal. In the second half Simon best shot came from the left after he had pushed the ball around Wayne's defense, but it was just wide of the far post. Simon's strong defensive play kept Wayne out of his shooting zone for most of the second half. This restricted Wayne to only two corners and
"a lot" of throw ins. Wayne's second goal came from the first time he forced his way through his opponent's defense. Wayne shot when Simon was making a defensive flick, in Wayne's words the flick
"moved a wad of players [defenders and attackers] and blundered the ball into the goal".
Under 19 final: Dominic Hutchinson 1 Adam Carlson 0 (HT 1-0)
Getting comments out of Dominic and Adam is difficult. So much so the only comments we received about the game was from the referee, Kevin Nieman.
"Chaotic," was how he described it, "no consistency in control with both players losing control [of the ball] constantly." Dominic scored the only goal of the game in the fifth minute of the first half with a shot from the left.
Mary Jane final: Ian Sayer 1 Dominic Hutchinson 0 (HT 1-0)
While the players described the game as "back and forth", the spectators thought that Ian had more of the possession and looked more dangerous with it. He scored with less than two minutes left in the first half with fast break and shot from the left side. Apart from the goal Dominic only had to make one save in the game, from a shot following a corner in the second half. Ian could not recall making a save during the game.
After his victory, his second Mary Jane win in a row, Ian described the tactics he had used to win. "I played play-by-play. I don't think about the last or the next, just the play."
Open third place play off: John Carroll 1 Simon Hutchinson 1 (HT 0-1)
Simon scored early in the first half with a shot from right of center that went into the goal at the near post. From then on John had most of the offense and Simon played strong defense. In the second half he pulled off a string of saves to deny John an equalizer. With less than two minutes left Simon stranded his goalkeeper. John took his time and with six passes he pushed through the defense and shot into the open goal.
At the end of the game both players decided to share third place so they could go and watch the Open final.
"It was fun," John said after the game, "being the third place game both [players] pushed forward. My defense would lose its shape as it was all out."
"I am disappointed to have given John the opportunity to equalize," Simon lamented, "it was probably a fair result as I had to pull off a string of saves to stop him from scoring."
Open final: Wayne Smith 2 Steve Tucker 1 (Extra time, HT 1-1, FT 1-1)
Straight from the kick off Wayne forced a throw in, knocked the ball into the shooting zone, and scored all in one and a half minutes. After his goal Wayne kept most of his figures in defense, only putting one in an attacking position. Steve would break from defense quickly probing Wayne's defense. When he lost possession he would quickly rebuild his defensive line. Near the end of the half his efforts were rewarded with an equalizing goal. It was not a classic, but in a final every goal counts. Steve's weak shot to the far post was heading wide, somehow Wayne struck the ball with his goalkeeper's rod and pulled the goalkeeper backwards striking the ball into the goal.
In the second half Wayne's offense forced Steve to defend, but he would quickly break forward to threaten Wayne's defensive line. He forced Wayne to make two saves to stop him from taking the lead.
As the game ended 1-1 the players entered "golden goal" over time. It was close with end to end action as both players tried to attack but keep their defense intact. Wayne's pressed hard winning "lots" of corners, but he could not score from them. Just as it looked the game was going to be decided by a shoot out Wayne struck with seven seconds left to win the game and the Western States Open for a third time.
"Another exciting game against Wayne, but unfortunately the same result," Steve said reflecting on another final defeat. "We've been in so many finals."
"A really tough game," a relieved Wayne replied, "I did not dare give up anything at the back."
Steve had the final word "It's getting closer."
Group A
| Pos | Name | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| 1 | Wayne Smith o | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 12 |
| 2 | Munir Merchant o | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| 3 | Adam Carlson m | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 0 |
o Players advancing to the Open quarter finals
m Player advancing to the Mary Jane semi finals
| Wayne Smith | 1 | v | 0 | Munir Merchant |
| Wayne Smith | 4 | v | 0 | Adam Carlson |
| Munir Merchant | 1 | v | 0 | Adam Carlson |
| Wayne Smith | 2 | v | 1 | Munir Merchant |
| Wayne Smith | 5 | v | 2 | Adam Carlson |
| Munir Merchant | 2 | v | 0 | Adam Carlson |
Group B
| Pos | Name | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| 1 | Steve Tucker o | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 12 |
| 2 | Jason Mitchell o | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 3 | David Jensen m | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
o Players advancing to the Open quarter finals
m Player advancing to the Mary Jane semi finals
| Steve Tucker | 2 | v | 0 | David Jensen |
| Steve Tucker | 2 | v | 0 | Jason Mitchell |
| David Jensen | 2 | v | 2 | Jason Mitchell |
| Steve Tucker | 1 | v | 0 | David Jensen |
| Steve Tucker | 1 | v | 0 | Jason Mitchell |
| Jason Mitchell | 2 | v | 0 | David Jensen |
Group C
| Pos | Name | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| 1 | John Carroll o | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 12 |
| 2 | Edgar Flores o | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| 3 | Dominic Hutchinson m | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 1 |
o Players advancing to the Open quarter finals
m Player advancing to the Mary Jane semi finals
| John Carroll | 2 | v | 1 | Edgar Flores |
| John Carroll | 3 | v | 0 | Dominic Hutchinson |
| Edgar Flores | 0 | v | 0 | Dominic Hutchinson |
| John Carroll | 1 | v | 0 | Edgar Flores |
| John Carroll | 3 | v | 0 | Dominic Hutchinson |
| Edgar Flores | 4 | v | 1 | Dominic Hutchinson |
Group D
| Pos | Name | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| 1 | Simon Hutchinson o | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 10 |
| 2 | Kevin Nieman o | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 3 | Ian Sayer m | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
o Players advancing to the Open quarter finals
m Player advancing to the Mary Jane semi finals
| Simon Hutchinson | 2 | v | 1 | Ian Sayer |
| Simon Hutchinson | 0 | v | 0 | Kevin Nieman |
| Kevin Nieman | 1 | v | 0 | Ian Sayer |
| Simon Hutchinson | 1 | v | 0 | Ian Sayer |
| Simon Hutchinson | 1 | v | 0 | Kevin Nieman |
| Ian Sayer | 2 | v | 0 | Kevin Nieman |
Open knock out rounds
Quarter finals
| Wayne Smith | 5 | v | 1 | Edgar Flores |
| Simon Hutchinson | 1 | v | 0 | Jason Mitchell |
| John Carroll | 1 | v | 0 | Munir Merchant |
| Steve Tucker | 2 | v | 0 | Kevin Nieman |
Semi finals
| Wayne Smith | 2 | v | 0 | Simon Hutchinson |
| Steve Tucker | 3 | v | 0 | John Carroll |
Third place
| Simon Hutchinson | 1 | v | 1 | John Carroll |
Final
| Wayne Smith | 2 | v | 1 | Steve Tucker |
| After sudden death extra time. FT 1-1 | ||||
Mary Jane knock out rounds
Semi finals
| Dominic Hutchinson | 2 | v | 1 | Adam Carlson |
| After sudden death extra time. FT 1-1 | ||||
| Ian Sayer | 2 | v | 1 | David Jensen |
| After sudden death extra time. FT 1-1 | ||||
Final
| Ian Sayer | 1 | v | 0 | Dominic Hutchinson |
Under 19
Final
| Dominic Hutchinson | 1 | v | 0 | Adam Carlson |