Phoenix vs Tianjin Updates

How can Paston have a poor miss if it is a penalty?

Just got back from the game.

Scottishbhoy took my "dominating" quote to literally, perhaps I was getting carried away. But for the first 60 minutes we really did have the best of it and it was only when we tired that they got back in the game. Up until then they were limited to long balls which we dealt with easily.

Regarding the penalty, Paston went to ground before the guy had taken it, and the Tianjin player then scored with the most weak little lob into the centre of the net, which Paston would have caught very easily had he not gone to ground too soon. Seriously it was one of the weakest penalties I have ever seen taken. Up until then Paston had had very little to do, and the tackle that lost us the penalty was outside the box and should never have been given anyway, so it was frustrating.

The second goal was a longish range shot from outside the box, which was deflected a bit by one of our defenders, giving Paston no chance. A bit frustrating as well considering deflections can go anywhere.

Very good passing and interplay all over the park in the first half and first 15min of the second half.

Potty is a big lad and will never win a 100m sprint, but then again I suppose Mark Viduka wouldn't either. He didn't do anything to suggest he is the striker we want however by the time he got on the midfield had tired so he didn't get any ball. Jury is therefore still out.

Some other thoughts:

MOM candidates: Hearfield, Sigmund. Honourable mention for Bertos.

Greenacre can hold the ball up well and worry defenders, he will be good but I think needs someone else up there with him to work off.

Costa's run right at the end of the match had us out of our seats, he took the ball from halfway to the box brushing off two defenders in the process. Thought he was going to steal it for us at the death.

Daniel was good in the first half but tired badly in the second.

Diego didn't do anything special when he came on IMO.

Good work rate from Brown, solid if unspectacular. But he got a goal so no complaints!

Good passing and distribution from Ferrante.

McKain and Sigmund both very solid. Lochhead was in defense too but didn't notice any runs forward.

Muscat seemed to lose his man now and then, perhaps the least impressive of the back four today.

Ricki and Tony P came over to say hi to us after the game, which was really appreciated. It's great to know that they care about the fans. Leo and Siggy also came over for quick chats.

Ricki mentioned that Tuesday's game is in Changsha, which is a bit odd if we are playing Guangzhou, I am wondering if there has been a change in opposition, I should have asked.

In summary it was a very entertaining game, and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to watch the Phoenix in the flesh over here. If anything it made me wish even more that we were eligible for the AFC Champions League.

Anyway a good result, the passing and interplay in the first half especially was very encouraging,
the team already seem very well gelled.

Well I figured I may aswell add to the angst.

We played like sh*t. Should have won 10-0. It was only there D side. Clearly they are sh*t and are going to come bottom and we only drew. And Paston. He sucks, couldn't even save a penalty. We shouldn't sign Potty, I mean pfft....he couldn't even score. And Greenacre? What a waste of Salary Cap space. IMHO (as apossed to my dishonest one) we are going to come 10th, then won't get our a-league license taken away. We should sack Ricki he is such a sh*t manager. Look at all the other clubs with bigger than squads then us and we haven't even signed a striker or anyone.

Just got back from the game.

Scottishbhoy took my "dominating" quote to literally, perhaps I was getting carried away. But for the first 60 minutes we really did have the best of it and it was only when we tired that they got back in the game. Up until then they were limited to long balls which we dealt with easily.

Regarding the penalty, Paston went to ground before the guy had taken it, and the Tianjin player then scored with the most weak little lob into the centre of the net, which Paston would have caught very easily had he not gone to ground too soon. Seriously it was one of the weakest penalties I have ever seen taken. Up until then Paston had had very little to do, and the tackle that lost us the penalty was outside the box and should never have been given anyway, so it was frustrating.

The second goal was a longish range shot from outside the box, which was deflected a bit by one of our defenders, giving Paston no chance. A bit frustrating as well considering deflections can go anywhere.

Very good passing and interplay all over the park in the first half and first 15min of the second half.

Potty is a big lad and will never win a 100m sprint, but then again I suppose Mark Viduka wouldn't either. He didn't do anything to suggest he is the striker we want however by the time he got on the midfield had tired so he didn't get any ball. Jury is therefore still out.

Some other thoughts:

MOM candidates: Hearfield, Sigmund. Honourable mention for Bertos.

Greenacre can hold the ball up well and worry defenders, he will be good but I think needs someone else up there with him to work off.

Costa's run right at the end of the match had us out of our seats, he took the ball from halfway to the box brushing off two defenders in the process. Thought he was going to steal it for us at the death.

Daniel was good in the first half but tired badly in the second.

Diego didn't do anything special when he came on IMO.

Good work rate from Brown, solid if unspectacular. But he got a goal so no complaints!

Good passing and distribution from Ferrante.

McKain and Sigmund both very solid. Lochhead was in defense too but didn't notice any runs forward.

Muscat seemed to lose his man now and then, perhaps the least impressive of the back four today.

Ricki and Tony P came over to say hi to us after the game, which was really appreciated. It's great to know that they care about the fans. Leo and Siggy also came over for quick chats.

Ricki mentioned that Tuesday's game is in Changsha, which is a bit odd if we are playing Guangzhou, I am wondering if there has been a change in opposition, I should have asked.

In summary it was a very entertaining game, and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to watch the Phoenix in the flesh over here. If anything it made me wish even more that we were eligible for the AFC Champions League.

Anyway a good result, the passing and interplay in the first half especially was very encouraging,
the team already seem very well gelled.

He didn't organise his defence for the penalty as well as Moss would have

Now you're just taking the piss

It was a pleasure paying you guys back after two years. Being removed from everything over here I am always reliant on this site to hear what is going on, so it's only fair I return the favour!

Hearfield seemed to be playing wide, a lot of his movement forward in the first half was up the right flank.

Just read the whole thread. Great updates - cheers. Disappointed we didn't win but it sounds like we were the better team until we tired, which was to be expected, and they got a lucky penalty and a lucky deflected goal. Doesn't really mean anything either way. Good to hear Greenacre played well though I have a feeling Potty wont be the answer to our 2nd striker woes (hopefully he gets another go and plays awesome but I doubt it)

Really cant wait for the Perth game so I can see our team in action

How can Paston have a poor miss if it is a penalty?

""Regarding the penalty, Paston went to ground before the guy had
taken it, and the Tianjin player then scored with the most weak little
lob into the centre of the net, which Paston would have caught very
easily had he not gone to ground too soon. Seriously it was one of the
weakest penalties I have ever seen taken. Up until then Paston had had
very little to do, and the tackle that lost us the penalty was outside
the box and should never have been given anyway, so it was frustrating.""

I'm assuming you're being sarcastic, if not, you're a very angry man.

Cheers to Torne and SC03 for the updates, very much appreciated.