Serbian White Eagles in their first game of the season at the Centennial Park drew 2-2 (1-1) against a very strong and experienced team of London. After six very successful years, this is the year of transition, where unlike in previous years, base of the team is made by young homegrown players. Even though we didn’t win, the first impression was very good and promising. The only things that were missing were experience and routine, which characterized White Eagles for many years.
Stadium: Centennial Park Weather: Ideal Head Referee: David Barrie
Cards: Dimitrov, Begovic, Golijanin, Marcoccia
Scorers: 1-0 Dimitrov (33) 1-1 Golijanin (39) 1:2 Marcoccia (48) 2-2 West
Serbian White Eagles: Đurković, Molder, Vlaski, Dimitrov, Bailey, Klisara, Lukovic (86.Negojević), Crozier, Anastasov (46 West), Novais, Vukoje (73.Orleando)
Coach: Uros Stamatović
London City: Pušica Mitrovic, Begovic, Novković, Nikolic, Milos Janikić, Milan Janikić, Halkić, Golijanin, Marcoccia, Miftari
Coach: Stanislav Zvezdic
Serbian White Eagles opened the game very well, had more ball possession, seemed very motivated, while the experienced guests skillfully protected their goal and played with lot of caution. It was noted that guest team had only one player in their roster from last season and many new players with addition of a new coach. It was also noticeable that the Eagles have brand new line-up, but in contrast to the experienced and well- known names who have strengthened London City, our team is practically made of inexperienced but extremely talented players, who are eager to prove themselves with time on their side.
The first real opportunity we have seen was in 12th minute when Dimitrov, Klisara Anastasov pressured opponents and took the ball thirty meters from goal, Bailey passed it to Anastasia, who faked defender and took 12 meter shot over the crossbar. In 15th minute new opportunity came for Anastasov but nothing came out of it. Klisara perfectly centered in 17th minute, but Viktor Anastasov was a little short. Again, Klisara and Victor have connected well in 22.minutu, however Anastasov was in offside position. Dimitrov takes an excellent shot from 20.meters and the goalie’s rebound went to Anastasov who was offside.
32nd minute after interruption Bailey finds Klisara who crossed the ball perfectly to Dimitrov who controlled it within a box and takes an accurate shot for the lead of 1:0!
38th minute, Dimitrov makes unnecessary foul and also receives a yellow card. Ball was centered to Golijanin who gets the ball at the 26 meter mark fakes the defender and takes a 12 meter shoot and scores 1:1!
This goal weakened the pace, only to witness great opportunity in the last minute of first half. Bailey once again found Dimitrov who penetrated and centered to Anastasov who dribbled the goalkeeper, but he went too wide and tried to return the ball to Dimitrov but nothing came out of it.
48th minute, Eagles lost ball 45 meters from our goal, after few good passes, the ball comes to Golijanin who with the back of his feet returns it to the fifth Marcoccia, who takes shot under the crossbar and scores for 1:2!
After faul on West, Dimitrov in 53rd minute takes weak free kick shot from 22 meters. Ranko Golijanin is a great player experienced player which nobody can’t deny but tonight he played way too harsh and dirty against young players of which he is almost twice as old. This is nothing new, as we remember it from previous games while he was playing for Galaxy. Finally he got a yellow card in 55 minute. In 60th minute Lukovic receives a long ball, and passes it to West, into the penalty area who shoots the ball, at the goalkeeper who’s rebound gets to West again and his second shot hits a player on the line. West has brought a lot of vibrancy in our offense, we have the initiative, but it is fruitless. Golijanin was not the only one who was rough, Begovic was as bad, and he finally got a yellow card in 72nd minute. In 76th minute West finds Orleando who shots over the crossbar. Our team increased the pressure which resulted in a nice pass buy Lukovic in the 77th minute to West who then left the ball for Dimitrov, but again shot went over the crossbar.
78th minute, Klisara takes the corner kick finds West who’s header results in a goal for 2:2! well done
Until the end of the game our team is having the initiative, attacking, but apart from a well-executed corner kick by Klisara to the second post finding Orleando, there are no good chances until 90th minute. Orleando passed his opponent and centered the ball perfectly, West lets the ball by knowing that Dimitrov is behind him all alone but he misses whole goal from 7-8 meters. Minute later Dimitrov has one more chance and misses it again…and the game is over.
All in all we witnessed a very good game. It is unfortunate that debut of Uros Stamatovic as a coach and debut of many new young players weren’t crowned by victory. However first impression is more than good.
ZM