Once again, the individual dribbling skills of our players' were exceptional, but its the rest of football that makes up 80% of the game, that we don't put focus on, that let us down.
2 things that stood out the most was that that boys were letting the ball bounce in front of the very frequently, you never do that, but we do that all the time, when I go by the field to play I see fellas who pass through so many coaches, but still constantly let the ball bounce infront of them. The reason for the is the 2nd thing that stood out- ball control.
They let the ball bounce infront of them because they don't have full confidence in their ability to kill the ball with one touch, and not divert it to the opposition, almost afraid of trapping a fast or awkward ball. I only watched the 2nd half, but many promising plays were killed by giving the ball away through lack of ball control. Sometimes they trapped the ball good, but again, football is consistency. Also passing and crossing accuracy and consistency wasn't what it should be, it was in real contrast to the Costa Ricans.
Don't think I'm being overly critical, just that I'm a perfectionist(has its downsides) & I can't help but point out the things that need major improving. I see plenty potential in those youths, really, I can really see them learning those things with some good coaching, but that's the problem there, will they get the coaching they need to lift the fundamental aspects of their game? Overall, the team played decently enough, but even if you can dribble like Messi it means nothing if you never have to ball to dribble with, because the players are lacking in the fundamentals that result in team ball possession. One nice positive though was that I saw less boom-kick defense than I see in the senior team.
We had plenty chances on goal, which was a result of our players' excellent dribbling ability, but players were too hesitant to shoot when space opened up, players were also taking too many touches and passes in the box(even Arsenal pay for this, and their players are incomparably better than our players based on our hugely sub-par development systems) , when there was chances for shots, and so many chances dried up like that.
Overall, congrats to the boys, you all played with heart, you all should be proud of the work put in, though know that if you really want to make it as a footballer, and break the trend in this country of talent never being fully fulfilled, if you're not satisfied with at best playing in the TT Pro League your whole life(though huge props to this league for service to our football), know that you have to train tirelessly and unrelentingly on the fundamentals of the game- one touch killing of the ball control, accurate & consistent passing and crossing and heading, running off ball into passing lanes, otherwise you will never make it in a top league in Europe realistically, no matter how well you can dribble- they WILL NOT CARE, know that. You see it all the time in the top leagues in Europe- players just fantastic at dribbling but are constantly left on the bench- because they aren't as solid in the fundamentals of the game as other players, and most of the are still much better at the fundamentals than most of our players. I say all this out of genuine love and the desire to see the a stop to the vast majority of our over-abundance of talented players just never really achieving in their careers, and seeing dreams being smashed.
Once again, dribbling skills mean next to nothing to football and European clubs specifically, unless you are exceptional or very solid at the fundamentals of football (prob more than 80% of the game). Even if you happen to get through to a decent club without this, you'll burn a hole through the bench from warming it, and you'll soon be let so and spiral down the leagues to lower and lower clubs, you see it all the time.
Take care everyone.
