5-2 but not a reflection of the game.
1st half Canty were guilty of turning the ball over in dumb parts of the field and the ACFC counter really hammered them. 3-1 at the half and it looked like it was going to be a stroll. It went 3-2 in the second including a cheeky dink in from the PK from Clapham (note: you wont get away with that again this year). They pushed ACFC harder and made them look rather ordinary at times. a deflection and a lucky goal and then it went 5. The quality of the play was not flash in my opinion and thats why I think the score line is not a reflection of the game.
Observations:
Jason Hicks has the most educated left foot in the country hands down. What was even more puzzling was when he was dragged for Corrales. When Hicks came off, ACFC struggled and it was apparent.
Adam Dickinson is just a thug. His opposite Russell Kamo is a whiney b*tch and I struggle to see how this guy gets picked every week. If these two are the standard for strikers in the league, then I can see why the Phoenix struggle to pick up young NZ strikers.
The Bulgarian boys that played for Canty, the CB was not bad but the guy up front was well out of his depth. He needed 3 touches to be able to do anything and it seemed like he needed 30 mins to sort himself when he got the ball. If this is the strike partner for Kamo then Canty are in toruble this year.
ACFC are looking in extremely fit shape. Chris Bale no longer plays like a hard man and scored a classy goal for the 3rd one showing some skill that casual spectators of the last few years would not have known he had. Bought it down on the right and slotted it with the left in the same motion on an acute angle with power.
Was probably the worst game I have seen Berlanga play. Was lucky to stay on the field and how he was not cautioned in the 1st half for that tackle (subsequent yellow for a penalty) is beyond me. He made some dumb fouls in dumb positions that Canty did not capitalise on due to poor delivery. Also under pressure, he just hoofed it into the stand every time.
Canty dragged Josh Smith (the other ranga) in the 2nd half but he was the only other player on the pitch doing anything for Canty and gave Clapham the support he needed. That substitution was when the gates opened cause at 3-2, it was close. Darren White and Dan Terris had moments as well.
The Japanese boy was again rather poor, for the 2nd week in a row. I know its a case of drumming up local support for the CWC but at least pick someone that can play.
I think only 4 Kiwis played for ACFC (Willliams, Pritchett, Hicks and Ivan)