My Thoughts on Friday's Games at TST
The first match I caught was the overtime period between Pasha Luxury FC and Certified Lions FC. I liked the overtime rules because it’s different than any other soccer i’ve watched. Taking a player off after a certain time made things interesting as we could see the game go from 7 on 7 to 2 on 2 if enough time has passed.
The overtime period was a first to five and when I jumped in, Pasha was already at four. It didn’t take too long before Pasha Luxury found the back of the net and punched their ticket to the round of 16. Another interesting thing I found out was that if you score the winning goal in overtime, you get rewarded with a Golden Fleece which gives you a lifetime oppurtunity to play in TST.
Overall, I thought the first game was fun to watch and I can’t wait to see what unfolds over the weekend.
The second game I watched was on the women’s side when Drunken Monkeys and ULtrain FC. It is important to note that the halves are 20 minutes and not the standard 45 i’m used to. Despite the shorter half and playing in two games on Friday, the action got started once the whistle blew as both teams had their offenses going early, creating chances. One rule I liked as a viewer was that the ball had to be advanced every eight seconds, no time wasting.
In the 12th minute Alana Murphy tried to put Drunken Monkeys in the lead with a shot hot from near the halfway line, however the shot was off target to the left. 0-0. Jordan O’Brian put Drunken Monkeys in the lead in the 17th minute after a nice finish and assist from Murphy. When the halftime whistle blew, Drunken Monkeys led 1-0.
Ultrain had a chance shortly after the second half started with a free kick in the 22nd minute. The shot was saved by the Druken Monkeys keeper. We saw our first card handed out in the 25th minute as Alana Murphy was booked following a foul. Ultra’s best chance to equalize came in the 30th minute when a shot right infant of goal was sent aside by the Drunken Monkeys keeper. Ten minutes to go, will we see an equalizer? Just as it looked like we were headed to target score overtime with Ultrain having a huge uphill battle, they equalized in the 34th minute. Kelsey Known fired one past the keeper. 1-1, next goal wins (the target score was set at 2). When we hit 40 minutes, we were headed for overtime, next goal wins.
Neither team could find the back of the net five minutes in so we were on to 6 v 6. Entering the seventh minute, each team lost another player, 5 v 5. Both teams took their chances but we were still locked in at 1. Both teams were down to four players, more room for the attack. The 15th minute proved the best chance so far for a winner as an Ultrain shot was wide of the keeper. Next, we are on to 3 v 3. A few moments later, Drunken Monkeys had a chance to win it but the shot ended up wide of the post. After 18 minutes, So- Hyun Cho won the Golden Fleece and the game. Shortly after winning the game, she pulled up injured. I hope she is okay and can return to the pitch as soon as possible.
My final review is a 9/10. The matches are easily accesable and the shorter game time makes it easier to sit down and watch the full 40. The different rules provide a nice change of pace for a traditional soccer fan looking for their soccer fix while their team is on a break. I didn’t catch much of the mens game but what I did see was exciting. The women’s game was full of action from the first whistle and i’m defiantly looking forward to seeing if the Drunken Monkeys Women’s Team takes home the $1 million prize.
Regardless of what happens, the weekend is sure to be full of excitement and action.