Today we beat Canada 3 - 0. But, more importantly was how we did it. The game was at Nuerim Field which is on the small and tight side so we played a low pressure, 4 - 5 - 1 direct style. As expected they came at us right from the opening whistle playing 4 flat in the back and looking to pressure us. We scored in the first 2 mins and then again 10 mins later. We also platooned our subs by making wholesale changes midway through each half since they aren't as fit or deep as us. They were very frustrated by what we were doing and kept yelling over to their bench that all we were doing was playing kickball. I do have to admit that it wasn't very attractive but as I told my players, we were looking to set them up for Tuesday's Gold Medal match which will be played at Wingate Stadium which is a nice big, fast pitch. (wink)
We scored the 3rd goal in the 3rd min of the second half to secure things. They never really found a solution for our clog up the middle tactic. I'm quite sure that they will come with a renewed intensity on Tuesday. They are a good team with some dangerous players up top and a quality keeper in goal.
After the match we went straight to Tel Aviv Beach and spent a couple of hours enjoying the Mediterranean. Canada, Finland and the Spanish Volleyball teams also went.
When we returned from the beach we had quick showers and then on the bus again to head over to Ra'anana for a concert with several thousand kids. It was one of Israels top bands and the crowd was mostly under 21. (The pics are of the after effects of playing a match in the morning and a couple of hours at the beach)
We just had a quick meeting before the team headed to bed to talk about keeping focused for the next 36 hours. We're very close to finishing out what has been an amazing 3 1/2 weeks the way we've planned all along.
We scored the 3rd goal in the 3rd min of the second half to secure things. They never really found a solution for our clog up the middle tactic. I'm quite sure that they will come with a renewed intensity on Tuesday. They are a good team with some dangerous players up top and a quality keeper in goal.
After the match we went straight to Tel Aviv Beach and spent a couple of hours enjoying the Mediterranean. Canada, Finland and the Spanish Volleyball teams also went.
When we returned from the beach we had quick showers and then on the bus again to head over to Ra'anana for a concert with several thousand kids. It was one of Israels top bands and the crowd was mostly under 21. (The pics are of the after effects of playing a match in the morning and a couple of hours at the beach)
We just had a quick meeting before the team headed to bed to talk about keeping focused for the next 36 hours. We're very close to finishing out what has been an amazing 3 1/2 weeks the way we've planned all along.
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