With the Women’s NLA being stronger than ever this season, there was never going to be an easy opening first match.
GC hosted Rotweiss for their first competitive game with new tactics and a focus on teamwork. Spurred on by a rousing team talk, the team were determined to fight and make sure that RWW would have work hard to break them down defensively.
RWW broke the deadlock within seven minutes, with a rebounded goal on the far post. It wasn’t the start that GC were hoping for a two more quick, well-worked goals followed before the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, GC were much quicker to get behind the ball when they had lost possession of the ball. RWW found it more and more difficult to find ways through the GC defence. Midfielders Noortje and Tanja spent much of their time harassing the RWW players with strong tackles and pressurising them into making mistakes. The score at half time ended 0:4.
As time ticked by, GC grew in confidence while RWW seemed to become more frustrated that they were not able to score at will. In the second half, GC were able to make some good passing moves down the right and left sides. The accurate passing enabled GC to move into their opponent’s half and give their defence some work to do. The GC forwards had a dogged determination to put the RWW defence under pressure when they had possession of the ball. Goalkeeper Jose was impressive as ever and prevented the score from being in double figures. The RWW becoming increasingly frustrated that she managed to pull off heroic saves time and time again, including a save with her chest in the final quarter. The game ended 0:7.
A huge positive note from the game: no goals were conceded from short corners, which was the aim before the match began. The defence were excellent under pressure and one shot was swept calmly off the line by Wen in the first half. The score and, more importantly, the performance was much improved on the performances against RWW from last season. GC will be concentrating on fitness and new tactics before their next game in the Swiss Cup against Basel.
A big Welcome to Vera, who played in her first game for GC, and a sad Goodbye to Anna, who played her last game for the Club. She will be missed by all, on and off the field.
Hopp GC !!!
GC Players:
Josefine Quack (GK), Tilia Schneider (GK), Laura Poulastrou, Lyndsay Lomax, Tanja Melle, Wendela Koelman (C), Anna Denkeler,
Nina van der Veen, Lous de Haart, Noortje de Wert, Dina Bha Idden, Vera Kapell, Wanda Kupferschmid, Vanessa Rocha Martin, Lynne Scollay, Viola Trippe
Coach: Ron Stöckli and Lukas Roloff