u11 ANSPI: Santos 5-4 Ambrit

Another fine display from Ambrit's u11s with lots of positives, just a few very destructive negatives and an agonising defeat that was hard to swallow for players, management and supporters.
The first period began well for Ambrit and early pressure was rewarded when Tiago found Cameron on the right and Cameron buried the ball in the back of the net.
But, with Ambrit playing just two at the back and three in midfield and with too many players watching the ball instead of their opponents' movements off the ball, Santos began to exploit the space on the wings and their No. 31 and No. 34 fired shot after shot on target. Adam made some good saves but the scoreboard then showed 1-1, 2-1 and 3-1 to Santos going into the first interval.
Ambrit lined out for the second period with a three-man defence and just two in midfield but they ended up dominating the play and pinning their opponents back for the entire 15'! Alberto, captain today in the absence of Vittorio (and what a captain's performance), slammed a great shot off the post and then Adam scored his first goal for Ambrit to make it 2-3. Ambrit poured forward and Alberto scored to make it 3-3!
In the third period, the pendulum swung again. Santos took over and fired in two goals. But Ambrit never gave up. Inspired by Alberto, a tireless Dylan made yet another a fantastic run down the left and his cross found Alberto who tucked it away again.
An equaliser was not to be but Ambrit can take lots of positives from today's game. Apart from Alberto, today's stand-out performance came from Adam. When he took over up front, his touch, control and link-up play were crucial. Pedro and Leo were outstanding in defence. Dylan and Cameron, as usual, provided the energy and thrust going forward. Jonah improves with every game and Tiago and Nicholas, our younger players, are learning fast.
AMBRIT: Adam, Leo, Pedro, Jonah, Dylan, Alberto, Cameron, Tiago, Nicholas