Around 10,000 supporters were in attendance for Chiba’s big match on Saturday 9/10 but sadly for them there was a stadium blocking their view of the BFC vs Nomades TML Division 3, match 2. Jeff Utd were playing at home!
“Men vs boys”, “bully them”, “play direct” were some of the tactics for BFC as the kick off had an intense sunset which made the coin toss critical. BFC won that contest. Nomades are one of the new additions to the TML this season and their average age is 16 which they kindly explained repeatedly at one moment of the game. It is certainly a nice touch to have them as part of the football community and there were several conversations during corner kicks about the benefits of international school education in Japan.
The sun was blinding the Nomades defense early as BFC started the stronger with 2-3 simple passes sending them clean through in the first 5 minutes but the shot was dragged wide. BFC started the first 20 minutes of the first half the stronger team, playing aggressive and direct, having more of the territory and winning 1st and 2nd balls. The kids gained more confidence as the half went on and got comfortable by the end as the flood lights were sparking up. They were moving the ball well, especially switching the play and stretching their senior opponents. There were no clear chances to recall aside from that first one, a few good situations that broke down in the final third for both teams and shots from distance. BFC shaded the first half on possession, the one chance and probably more corners.
Second half the Nomades started stronger, however it was BFC that again went clean through and again dragged their shot wide. BFC did not take control of the game as they should have done, with their best players not really converting their potential to actual results. BFC had been sloppy a few times in possession directly from the defense gifting the Nomades possession, and this is how they conceded around 15 minutes into the second half. Losing possession on the half way line the Nomades broke quickly and finished smartly for 1-0.
The response was strong from BFC and a towering header from Rowan evened things from a fantastic curled cross AKA Trent AA (from Nao), to make it 1-1. BFC would then miss a sitter as they blazed over the bar from 12 yards out, that was a critical moment. The final part of the game was probably even as both teams pushed to win, but Nomades had chances to win the game too. Some desperate defending and scrambles in the BFC box, plus Nomades hit the post once.
It felt like another 2 points dropped for BFC at the very end but based on the failure to be clinical in front of goal the draw was probably a fair result. Nomades will give everyone a game this season in Div 3, but they lacked a killer instinct and minus a few embarrassing confrontations from some unnamed BFC players (“watch the language”) they handled themselves well.
BFC had another 3-4 players debut or play their first game of the new season so it’s about finding the best squad and balance of the team. If BFC can solve how to convert their possession and territorial advantage they could do quite well. Some notable performances from Mo at left back especially first half, Shunsaku was constantly busy on the wings, Joel / Romen showed a lot of aggression, Nao had a tidy debut and Rowan was the savior with that John Terry / Tony Adams / Sami Hyypia like header. The BFC attacking players are doing all the right things and getting into great positions, we are confident that will score bucket loads of goals soon. We are backing them!
