Unlucky Guantanamo Miss Out On Goals

11th September 2007

An under strength AFC Racing Guantanamo went down to their worst B-Liga defeat ever against the Pearl Coast Pirates last night at Male Oval.

Guantanamo were without injured midfield dynamos Dan Walker and Tim Rowe, and missed the explosive talents of Tim Gray and Gordon Lawford, both of whom were overseas on international duty with their adopted country Burkina Faso.

In a more positive move, Guantanamo welcomed back captain Ryan Platten, defensive rocks Freya Mason and Nathan Bell, and superfast Joel Hamling, who made a return to the side after nearly four weeks.

Guantanamo began the match slow, and in a turn of events which has been typical of so many of their matches they conceded a goal early, putting them immediately on the back foot. The team rallied, and it was no surprise that they pushed forward, hitting the Pirates on the break in some devastating counter attacks which left the Pearl Coast defence struggling to get the ball away.

Luke Turner linked well through the middle with both Hamling and the ever-reliable Sam McGinn, and the young Guantanamo forward line looked dangerous every time they pushed up. Some sublime passing and level-headedness left the more experienced Pirates reeling as Guantanamo peppered the goal time and time again. Hamling was unlucky not to have a hat-trick, but the ball just would not go in the back of the net.

David Aristei showed why he has been touted by many in the media as the next great Australian midfielder, keeping a cool head and ensuring his team had the service they needed.

As the first half came to a close, Guantanamo were unlucky not have scored at least three or four – and Mason at the back was convinced several Pirate goals were offside.

The second half began with the Oranges looking more flat, and tiredness was starting to tell as McGinn went down to a nasty challenge and bumped his head, causing him to move into a more defensive role. Guantanamo were unlucky not to have been given a penalty after Turner became the victim of a John Vojkovic slide tackle on the six-yard line.

As the match wore on, Francois Kruger in the Guantanamo goal made some important saves to keep his team in the game, but it was clear that the Pirates substitute on the bench was an advantage which allowed their team to remain fresh while the Guantanamo players became more and more tired.

As the final whistle blew, Guantanamo limped off the park pleased with the way they had played given the circumstances, and looking forward to next week when the bulk of their team returns.

Racing Guantanamo Match Day Squad
PLATTEN Ryan, MASON Freya, MCGINN Sam, HAMLING Joel, FALCONER Jon, ARISTEI David, BELL Nathan, KRUGER Francois, TURNER Luke

Final Score
Racing Guantanamo 0 – 14 Pearl Coast Pirates

Attendance
13