July Training - Mark Your Calendars

Due to the two week break and upcoming mid-week league games, our July training will be modified as such:

July 7th (Tuesday) - 6:00-8:00pm @ PISE
July 9th (Thursday) - 5-6:00pm at Finlayson
July 13th (Monday) - 5-6:30pm @ PISE
July 20th (Monday) - 5-6:30pm @ PISE

Note: All venues are turf.

Any problems / issues please let Nigel know.

Metro / Provincials Break

Over the next two weeks the Super-Y season for the NW Division takes a break such that the run up to provincial play-offs can happen (See information at this link. ).

GU15 & GU16 Metro Evaluations
Wednesday 24 June 5:30-7pm PISE
(G16 only) Sunday 28 June 2-4pm PISE
(G15 only) Monday 29 June 5-6:30pm PISE
Wednesday 1 July 3:30-5pm PISE *** REVISED ***

Energy To Burn

Our second game this weekend saw us up against a revamped Surrey WFC team (vs last years team). The Surrey team probably captures many of the Surrey FC, Langley and maybe even some of the Abbotsford and Chilliwack players.

From the first whistle we played a very good game positionally. You essentially kept your shape throughout the match regardless of the formation we were playing ... or Surrey was playing. Surrey started with a 4-5-1 formation and when down the goal moved to a more aggressive formation with 3 forwards.

Our pressure on the Surrey defence in the second half caused them great difficulty and they gave up numerous corner kicks (approx. 6) and some very scrambled play in their 6 yard box which ultimately lead to a hand ball and our goal (great placement Nikki). All players had a very good game.

The coaching staff was very pleased with your play - the LISA Technical Director Andrew Latham thought you played well with some great high pressure from our forwards and midfielders. Finally, as Nigel said ... "Four of a possible six points this weekend against some very strong competition, well done. It was music to my ears to hear many of you ask for training to continue over the break."

A bit about Surrey's 4-5-1 Formation:

The 4-5-1 is a defensive formation; however if the two midfield wingers play a more attacking role it can be likened to 4-3-3. The formation can be used to grind out 0-0 draws or preserve a lead, as the packing of the centre midfield makes it difficult for the opposition to build-up play. Because of the 'closeness' of the midfield, the opposing team's forwards will often be starved of possession. However, due to the lone striker, the centre of the midfield does have the responsibility of pushing forward as well. The defensive midfielder will often control the pace of the game

5 Minutes Too Short!

Last week was "5 Minutes Too Long" ... This week was "5 Minutes too Short"

After last weeks game against Coastal WFC, we knew that we were probably short-changed by a very late goal by Coastal, so we wanted to prove something to them. Today we proved to them that we were an equal team and, in my humble opinion, your chances at goal were much more dangerous than theirs.

Nigel notes that ... After we got settled and fine-tuned our strategy the game was spectacular. We made Coastal shoot from outside the 18 yard box and everything they tried to put in the air was headed away or it was gobbled up by Veronica. We aggressively challenged them and counter-attacked at every opportunity - without any disrespect to Coastal (as they are a very good team) but we think they were very lucky to get a tie ... very lucky!!

So based on what we asked of you last week ... "we know we can do better! So let's show them next time ladies". You showed us girls - and the coaching staff and your fans were very happy.

This is how the Coastal WFC staff saw the game...
South Surrey, June 20, 2009 – The reaction of the teams at the end of the game told the story. With the final whistle the West Coast Capitals broke out in a cheer. As the Coastal WFC U14 Girls milled around their bench, more than a few water bottles were tossed in frustration after being held to a nil-nil draw by the West Coast Capitals.

Seven days earlier Coastal had snatched a 1-nil win over the Capitals with a late game goal. The challenge today would be the same as week earlier, to find space in the 18 yard box as a shot from beyond would need to be special to beat the Capitals’ very capable keeper, Veronica Hackett. The game started brightly for Coastal with forays down the wings finding strikers and midfielders in space. The Capitals however adjusted to shut down attacks down the right wing and while more successful down the left flank, the Coastal crosses were handled by the Capitals’ centre backs and keeper. Though possession clearly favoured Coastal, the scoreboard still read 0-0 as the half ended.

The second half started with Coastal applying pressure and the Capitals furiously absorbing the push. Showing improved positional discipline in the second half, the Capitals sought to limit the freedom previously granted to the Coastal back line while on the ball. As result, Coastal keeper Frankie Lunot needed to be alert as the Capitals’ looked for success on the counterattack.

The final 12 minutes of the game held high drama. Coastal and the Capitals each had chances to win the game. The Capitals’ best chance came in the 58th minute when, after another Coastal corner was played too close to the Capitals' keeper, two Capitals' strikers found themselves at midfield with only the two Coastal centre backs between them and goal. Coastal countered at the 63rd minute when a low goal kick was intercepted by Summer Clarke and immediately driven back at the out of position Capitals’ keeper. While Ms. Clarke’s shot missed the right corner of the net, a blast two minutes later by Gabby Villasenor was on target but found Ms. Hackett ready and waiting. While each team continued to press, neither could find a breakthrough and the game ended scoreless

5 Minutes Too Long!

Well ladies ... we wanted that one bad. But we were 5 minutes away from winning a point (and taking two points away from Coastal WFC). The 1-0 final came on a late goal by Coastal - approximately 5 minutes remaining in the game.

On the positive side of things girls ... Coastal WFC is a great team who made it to the Super-Y play-offs last year in Florida. They are a composite from essentially 4 metro teams in the U14 league (Richmond, Vancouver, Semiahmoo and Surdel - 3 of which are top teams in the league), they have 4 girls that were on provincial team last year and as always the catchment of this area is huge. So for our young club we did not do to bad. But we know we can do better!

So let's show them next time ladies.

Vamos a jugar al fútbol!

?Tu hablas Espanol? No?! ... Some spanish soccer-related words for you to practise with Joseline ...

Futbolista = Football player
el jugador - player
el director técnico - coach
el entrenador - coach
la sustitución - substitution
el arquero(Latin America) - goalkeeper
el portero(Spanish) - goalkeeper
el delantero - forward
el voleador - striker
el mediocampista - midfielder
el defensor - defender
Árbitro = Referee
el juez de linea - linesman

Pelota or Balón = Ball
Gol = Goal
Estadio or Cancha = Stadium
el arco - goal area
el area de penal - penalty area
el equipo contrario - opposing team
una patada inicial - kick-off
Saque inicial = Kick-off
Saque de esquina = Corner kick
Saque de banda = Throw-in
Tiro libre = Free kick
Tiro penal = Penalty kick
Posición adelantada = Offside
la falta - foul
el penal - penalty
una tarjeta roja - a red card
una tarjeta amarilla - a yellow card
el partido - match
el primer tiempo - first half
el segundo tiempo - second half
el entretiempo - half time

¿Cual es el resultado? - What is the score?
Corre! - Run!
Patea! - Shoot!
un tiro - shot
Atajar- to catch
atacar - to attack
la final - final

Where is Guatamala? (Donde esta Guatamala?)
- just south of Mexico

Art of War Assignment

A small homework assignment for you for Thursday ... but don't make this a priority over your real homework! I know some of you are studying for finals.

Assignment: Read the Art of War's five constant factors and put into soccer terms. To be discussed on Thursday

Details: The art of war is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.

These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and Discipline.

(1) The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.
(2) Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.
(3) Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death .
(4) The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.
(5) By method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.

In the End ... Working on Shape

Capitals vs. Comox Valley GU16 Island Champs

Under sunny skies at Finlayson field our game today was a friendly vs. the Comox Valley Girls U16 Gold Team - also the Island Championship.

The coaches' expectations for this game were to be faced by a fast aggressive opponent, and in the end we expected that the girls would probably tie or be defeated.

I guess someone forgot to tell the girls this! Because they came out quick, aggressive with the desire to win and in a couple of minutes of time had Comox Valley wondering what hit them. The final score was 5-0 for the Cap's.

A brief game review ...
- game started with a small presentation of soccer buttons from the Comox valley team ... a very friendly gesture (great sportsmanship)
- the Comox team was large and fast but were missing three of their starting squad
- the Capitals came out fast and within the first two minutes had placed our first of a five goals in the back of the net (it was a lovely cross fro Kristin, with a flick-on header from Joseline to Bud who finished)
- at 18 minutes, Joseline passed to Kathy who was outside the 18 yard box and hit a hard shot to the top corner
- three minutes later (21 min) Kathy scored another goal with a lovely, well placed ball past the keeper
- at this point things fell apart for the Comox team under our constant pressure - some injuries left their bench with no subs, so thanks to Rachael and Kate moving over to lend a hand in the friendly
- Rachael and Kate helped their back line a lot and stifled many of the Capital's attacks
- the final two goals were in the 2nd half and both were scored by Moira with Josleline assisting on both
- the game today was won in the midfield ... our first line of defence
- we were again without Elise today
- the Finlayson turf helped in our play vs. Comox who probably do not play on turf at all

So ... although the game plan did not work out we had hoped, you girls played great. We worked hard on maintaining our shape and moving the ball around patiently. You will have to maintain this level of play for our next opponent Coast WFC.

Check out the game photos here.

Hot Time in Nanaimo

Capitals vs GU15 Port Alberni (Island Champs)

What started out as a cool overcast day in Victoria, progressively got sunnier & hotter as we neared the Caledonia field in Nanaimo. Our game today was a friendly vs. the Port Alberni Girls U15 Gold Team from Port Alberni - fresh off a good season winning the Island Championschip (vs Gorge GU15).

The coachs' expectations for this game were to be faced by an agressive opponent, with a moderately fast style of play and a fairly close game ... but with GU14 Capitals coming out with a moderate win.

The GU14 Capitals had a full team travelling (minus Elise) with the practise squad. It was apprent from the first kick off that the Capitals really wanted this game and the Port Alberni team had not fully prepared for their opposition. The game ended in a 4-0 win for the Cap's.
Some notes from the game:
- the field was lush ... thick, slippery grass --> not a surface that would typically favour our style of play
- we came out fast and hard with a high pressure formation
- three goals tallied by Joseline and one goal by Kathy (on a lovely long hard shot from approx 25 yards out)
- some nice overlapping runs by Rachael playing outside left mid
- some hard physical and finesse playing by Emily and Julia
- good supporting play by Kate Payter, Harmony and Joseline
- a tough day for Vernonica ... with limited shots and action, remaining focused and part of the game is very difficult for a keeper. After a small bauble on her first shot, V was able to settle down and regain her focus and integrated herself into the play when possible (i.e. sweeping type role)
- we were resting some of the girls for a tougher match the following day (Sunday vs GU16 Comox Valley team)

What can we say about Joseline ... three goals with many more near chances and demonstrating some of her footwork. Not a bad showing for someone that doesn't speak English.

So ... a warm sunny day (in Nanaimo); a great game of soccer by you and you had some fun!

Check out the game (and dancing) photos here.

Quotes To Live & Play By

Don't visualize beating the keeper, visualize destroying the keeper.
Steven Gerrard (with apologies to Ms. Veronica Hackett)

The person that said winning isn't everything, never won anything.
Mia Hamm

Winning doesn't really matter as long as you win
Vinny Jones

It gives me the happiest feeling in the world. I just love scoring. It doesn't matter if it's a simple goal from close range, a long shot or a dribble around several players, I just love to score all goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo

I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion.
Mia Hamm

The rules of soccer are very simple, basically it is this: if it moves, kick it. If it doesn't move, kick it until it does.
Phil Woosnam

Sun Tzsu's Quote of the Week

This weeks Art of War quote was selected by Nikki.

“Use anger to throw them into disarray.”

Nikki says ... Like Nigel said use the oppositions anger to your advantage and take it out on someone on the field. If you irritate them and make them angry it will throw them off their game and make them forget about their original strategy.

GU14's Predict FA Cup FInal

After selecting incorrectly Manchester United for the UEFA Champions League final vs Barca, the GU14 Capitals players & fans correctly selected the FA Cup winner Chelsea this time.

See the story at ...

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/9628712/Chelsea-beats-Everton-2-1-to-claim-FA-Cup