February Stars

February 2018

FA Cup, 4th Round – Southampton v Orient (Away)

Both teams started cautiously, limited to efforts from long-range for the most part. Southampton take the lead on 22 minutes, a deep corner kick headed back across goal for a simple nod-in from inches out.

The home side’s 2nd comes after 40 minutes, a counter-attack down the left edge producing a cross which is fired home from just inside the penalty area.

Our 2nd Half was a little better, and striker Ojamaa finished off a 1-on-1 chance with style 10 minutes into the new stanza.

Despite attempting to draw level, the Saints wrap things up late on with their 3rd goal.

Final Score: Southampton 3-1 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Oxford v Orient (Away)

A fairly even 1st half in this match, both teams moving the ball about and creating half-chances, but nothing of any note.

Oxford break the deadlock after 60 minutes, a free header parried into the path of their 2nd striker who calmly finished. In-form striker Ojamaa equalised 4 minutes later, a precise through-ball allowing him to slot past the Oxford ‘keeper.

Freshly introduced substitute and Central midfielder Jack Baldwin finishes a lovely passing sequence to give us the lead on 78 minutes. Ojamaa went on to score his 2nd to secure a fine Away-win with his 84th minute rocket.

Final Score: Oxford 1-3 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Wycombe v Orient (Away)

An injury to a midfielder 10 minutes into this match forces me into an early substitution. Things don’t get better as a sliding challenge in the box concedes a penalty after 18 minutes. The spot-kick is easily converted.

We create a good chance to draw level just before Half-Time, but the striker blasts high and wide with only the Goalkeeper to beat.

That man Ojamaa eventually gets our equaliser with 68 minutes gone. Some late heroics from Centre-Mid, Rob Nash who picked a great time to score his 1st ever goal. His 87th minute strike would seal another 3 points.

Final Score: Wycombe 1-2 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Barnet (Home)

We really take the game to visiting Barnet, creating decent chances and keeping the ball well. Despite this, the scores remain at 0-0 as the Half-Time whistle is blown.

Finally take the lead 10 minutes into the 2nd Half, a corner nodded home by Centre-back Evans. Striker Williams makes sure of it with a nicely taken goal in Injury Time.

Final Score: Orient 2-0 Barnet (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Orient v Colchester (Home)

Once again, we dominate this one from the start and open the scoring on 22 minutes as Centre-back Cuthbert heads home. The 2nd goal arrives just 5 minutes later after a late run from Left-midfielder Molyneux is rewarded with a fine pass and finish.

The crossbar is all that denies us a 3rd goal just as the 2nd Half begins. Ojamaa does get our 3rd, and the 50th of his league career, but it takes until the dying minutes as Colchester defend a lot better in the latter stages.

Morale is sky high now as we record our 5th straight victory in the league.

Final Score: Orient 3-0 Colchester (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League 1 – Carlisle v Orient (Away)

Left-winger and recent signing Omoijuanfo gets his Orient goal-tally started with a strike that goes in off the post after 14 minutes. Injury to in-form Centre-Half Cuthbert forces an early substitution. His replacement misses an absolute sitter just before Half-Time with the goal at his mercy.

Our 2nd goal on 62 minutes comes from the other side of the pitch, Right flanker Wickings finishing off a flowing move. Carlisle kept coming though in a performance that belied their standing at the bottom of the League 1 table.

Another solid win from us to end a fantastic month of February; taking a maximum 15 points from the 5 matches.

Final Score: Carlisle 0-2 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Manager of the Month

This dream month is capped off by the awarding of League 1 Manager of the Month.

League Table

League 1 Table as it stands (click to enlarge)

Asian Cup Qualifier – Iraq v Hong Kong (Home)

A massive last qualifier, a win ensures our passage to the Asian Cup Finals, anything less could deny us that opportunity.

As hoped, we start brilliantly, pressing high and scoring after just 8 minutes. Left-winger Hassan worked his way into the box on 11 minutes and scores a belter; 2-0.

It’s not long til we score our 3rd, a simple finish from our striker with just 17 minutes on the clock. The 60th minute sees Mostafa Karim score his 2nd of the match, and 40th of his International career.

Hong Kong claw one back, an unlucky deflection falling to their striker on 74 minutes.

A fantastic display of attacking football in front of 33,500 passionate Iraqi fans to earn our spot in the Asian Cup Finals.

Final Score: Iraq 4-1 Hong Kong (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Next month, Next blog

Another busy month ahead, March holding 7x League matches. Away trips to Preston, Rochdale and Notts County; hosting Portsmouth, Wrexham, Middlesbrough and Gillingham.

Tales of the Orient

January 2018

 

Asian Cup Qualifier – Iraq v Tajikistan (Home)

We dominated possession from the outset in front of a home crowd, but weren’t creating any solid chances. Finally take a deserved lead on 57 minutes, young striker Ali finishing off some one-touch play.

We kept creating chances as the 2nd Half continued and were rewarded with our 2nd goal just before Full-Time.
Final Score: Iraq 2-0 Tajikistan (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

 

Orient Express

League 1 side Leyton Orient approach me, and I accepted the position. So begins the next stop on my Career.

 

League 1 – Orient v Torquay (Home)

The new side gets away to a decent start, creating a few early chances. This was an opportunity for the players to show me what they had to offer.

A fairly even 1st half finishes 0-0.

Torquay almost take the lead midway through the 2nd Half but luckily the shot fizzes outside the post. Not a terrible result, but it’s obvious to me that this squad I have inherited requires more depth across the board in order to improve.

Final Score: Orient 0-0 Torquay (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

 

League 1 – Sheff. Utd. v Orient (Away)

The ‘Blades’ were asserting their authority early on, and score the game’s opening goal after just 13 minutes. They go ahead and double their lead 15 minutes later, some poor marking allowing them an easy chance.

A 3rd goal for the Home side comes just before Half-Time with a hint of Offside about it.

A great save from Sheffield United’s Goalkeeper turns away our first decent chance early in the 2nd Half. We finally trouble the scorers after 58 minutes, a late run into the box rewarded with a low cross for a sliding finish.

Midfielder Jimmy Ryan fairly blasts his long-range effort past a diving ‘keeper as we attempt to make a late challenge. A breakaway with 10 minutes remaining dampened our hopes of such a return as United restore the deficit to 2.

Jimmy Smith scores his 2nd of the match, guiding a corner home with his head but it was a case of too little, too late.

I was well pleased with the efforts in the 2nd Half, but a shocking start robbed us of the chance to come away with some reward.

Final Score: Sheff. Utd. 4-3 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

 

FA Cup 3rd Round – Orient v Middlesbrough (Home)

We start this match as we finished the last, and open the scoring on 18 minutes after an incisive counter-attack. Boro draw level 10 minutes later with a top strike from the edge of the box.

The visitors then go on and take the lead in the 2nd Half after carving our back line wide open. We keep searching for an equaliser but a series of great saves and poor efforts on goal deny us.

A breakthrough on 83 minutes as striker Ojamaa scores his 2nd. And so as the Final Whistle sounds, this tie is headed for a replay in a week’s time.

Final Score: Orient 2-2 Middlesbrough (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

 

Asian Cup Qualifier – Bahrain v Iraq (Away)

Qualifying Group leaders Bahrain started the stronger in this match, dominating possession and attempts at goal. We finish the half a bit better, denied by the crossbar and firing a Free Kick just over. 0-0 at Half-Time.

Bahrain looking dangerous in the 2nd Half as they continue to pass the ball around accurately. A goal comes on 54 minutes as we fail to clear the ball from our danger-area.

A great chance for us goes begging as a 1-on-1 chance is fired well over the bar. Bahrain denied a goal after 75 minutes only by the Assistant’s Offside flag, but no such fortune favoured us at the 83 minute-mark as a low shot is fired in from outside the area.

Final Score: Bahrain 2-0 Iraq (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

 

League 1 – Nottingham Forest v Orient (Away)

A fairly even start to the match, with neither team really able to break through. That was until the 26th minute when Forest finish a corner to take the lead.

A defensive mixup gifts Nottingham their 2nd goal with 60 minutes gone. This was a rather dull match, and to be fair we never looked like troubling the Home side. A disappointing performance all around.

Final Score: Forest 2-0 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

 

FA Cup, 3rd Round Replay – Middlesbrough v Orient (Away)

Boro were reduced to 10 men early on as a late challenge results in a straight-red card after just 3 minutes. A corner on 11 minutes leads to our opener, the original shot cleared off the line but only as far as our striker Ojamaa 6 yards out for the tap-in.

Centre-back Cuthbert doubles the lead on the 25 minute-mark, meeting a Free Kick delivered to the back post and nodding home well. Middlesbrough look to press higher up as the 2nd Half starts, firing a few shots on goal in the process.

Our lead becomes 3 as Ojamaa crosses low and hard across the face of goal for his strike-partner Gardner to finish, 58 minutes on the clock. Boro cop their 2nd Red card after 71 minutes, an ugly 2-footed effort leaving the Referee with no choice.

Even though we played against 10 and eventually 9 men I thought we looked more confident and comfortable on the ball. A solid performance across the board.

Final Score: Boro 0-3 Orient (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

 

League 1 – Orient v Hartlepool (Home)

A cracking start to this one, we take the lead with our first shot after just 4 minutes. Some nice, fluid build-up play.

Possession evens out over the next little while, but a corner on 28 minutes is delivered to a high-rising Cuthbert who steers the ball home for our 2nd goal. A great 1-on-1 save from our Goalkeeper keeps our lead safe at 2 late into the match.

The post comes to our rescue just a few minutes from Full-Time, but we hold out for a deserved win and Clean-Sheet.

Final Score: Orient 2-0 Hartlepool (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

 

Next month, Next blog

A busy February ahead, with 5x League matches. Away days at Oxford, Wycombe and Carlisle; and Home stands against Barnet and Colchester.

The month starts with the next round of the FA Cup though as we travel to Championship side Southampton.

Iraq have just 1 fixture in February, but it is indeed a massive one. The final Asian Cup Qualifier welcoming Hong Kong to Baghdad. A win would see us through, but anything less could potentially be fatal to our qualification.

 

Form is Temporary….

December 2017

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v Gladbach (Home)

The fact that it takes 19 minutes in order for either team to register a shot on goal is not a good start. Neither is the fact that the League leaders Gladbach make theirs count and take the lead.

We find an equaliser on the stroke of Half-Time, breaking away on the right flank to cross in for the sliding finish.

The Second Half was better for us, creating a few more chances but Gladbach hold firm to deny us. Still, a really nice point against a strong side and although it didn’t come, a winning goal wouldn’t have been unwarranted.

Final Score: Frankfurt 1-1 Gladbach (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v Leipzig (Home)

In another match that struggled for offensive action early on, we are awarded a penalty on 20 minutes and score. We don’t retain the lead for long though as Leipzig equalise 39 minutes on, an initial save falling to their striker for an easy finish.

Both teams were looking to attack more in the Second Half with shots flying in from all over the park. Only a brilliant save denies us from regaining the lead at around the 50 minute-mark.

Once again, a decent point but this could so easily have been taken away had we faced more clinical opposition.

Final Score: Frankfurt 1-1 Leipzig (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Dusseldorf v Frankfurt (Away)

The hosts begin well dominating us in possession. We start to come into the game more, employing a Counter-Attacking style of play.

Just before Half-Time centre-back Jovanovic slides in an effort to stop an onrushing Dusseldorf player but brings him down in the box, conceding a penalty as well as receiving his marching orders with a straight Red Card. Spot of good luck though, as the penalty is saved well by our ‘keeper.

60 minutes in and Dusseldorf finally breach our defence with too much space afforded to their striker who nets from just inside the 18-yard box.

Not a terrible result, considering the Red Card but we never really looked like scoring ourselves.

Final Score: Dusseldorf 1-0 Frankfurt (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Pull the Pin

Immediately after this match, I was informed that my services were no longer required at Frankfurt. Admittedly, we hadn’t been performing to expectations, but I can’t help but feel a run of form was around the corner. I guess I’ll never know.

So the search resumes for the next stop on this career tour…

Next Month, Next Blog

Until a new Domestic position is sourced I have Iraq to concern myself with. January holds 2x Asian Cup Qualifiers with a Home match hosting Tajikistan and an Away trip to Group Leaders Bahrain.

November Rain

November 2017

Before any League matches take place, the German Cup 3rd Round draw was held. We can look forward to a home tie against Bundesliga side Freiburg.

German 2nd Div. – Wehen v Frankfurt (Away)

We create an early chance from a corner but it is headed well over the bar. Wehen go on to pass the ball around well and on 7 minutes take the lead with an easy finish.

A lucky deflection guides our equaliser past Wehen’s flailing ‘keeper at the 14 minute-mark. Some more fine one-touch play opens us right up and Wehen retake the lead just a minute later.

A lovely cross from the right is met by the diving head of Lebedynski to restore parity on 23 minutes. Wehen’s striker completes a First-Half hat-trick in Injury Time. An exciting half of football finished 3-2 in favour of the home side.

Into the Second-Half now, and a short Free Kick almost works for us, forcing a decent save at the near post for Wehen’s custodian.

We eventually draw level again on 81 minutes, newly-subbed striker Aas the scorer. Lebedynski had a half-chance late on to steal 3 points but his shot is saved well.

A thoroughly entertaining match for the neutral and a decent Away point for us.

Final Score: Wehen 3-3 Frankfurt (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v Aalen (Home)

Lebedynski misses an easy chance in the opening minutes, but makes up for it 20 minutes later with a precise finish.

A First-Half of near complete dominance ends with a scrappy section, allowing Aalen their first few shots of the match, luckily with no result.

The Second-Half is much tighter but the pressure is relieved at the 80 minute-mark as a penalty is awarded and converted.

Final Score: Frankfurt 2-0 Aalen (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Asian Cup Qualifier – Hong Kong v Iraq (Away)

An Own-Goal off the heel of a Hong Kong defender nets us our opener on 14 minutes. Our 2nd comes just before Half-Time, a low cross met at the back stick for a simple tap-in.

A lovely finish from a tight angle blows the score out to 3-0 with 74 minutes gone, but Hong Kong capitalise on a  spilled save not long after, and the margin is back down to 2.

Nothing too brilliant about this match, but it is our first win for this campaign and hopefully the kick-start we need to ensure it is a successful one.

Final Score: Hong Kong 1-3 Iraq (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

International Friendly – Iraq v Philippines (Home)

Our first match in Baghdad in a few months, I was hoping to reward the fans with an entertaining affair.

Almost got off to a great start, being awarded a penalty 4 minutes in, but shot straight at the ‘keeper. We eventually take the lead on 18 minutes with some good interplay between the front pair.

An unfortunate deflection for Philippines results in our second goal with 24 minutes gone. Apart from the 2 goals, nothing much of note. Handed a 17-year-old Left Winger his debut which will hopefully stand him in good stead for matches with more than pride at stake.

Final Score: Iraq 2-0 Philippines (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Erfurt v Frankfurt (Away)

Things do not start well for us, conceding a penalty just 4 minutes in after a lunging tackle. The spot-kick is converted. Another penalty given away after 25 minutes, once again scored.

The score is quickly 3-0 within 30 minutes as a rocket is launched from the edge of the area, giving our Goalkeeper no chance. Centre-Back Jovanovic cops his 2nd Yellow card in the First-Half to really leave the remaining 10 players with a task.

To rub salt into the wound, the resultant Free Kick from Jovanovic’s foul is tucked away to give us absolutely no hope of a comeback.

The 2nd Half was a lot tighter defensively from our standpoint, but we didn’t trouble Erfurt and they walk away with a breezy 4-goal win.

Final Score: Erfurt 4-0 Frankfurt (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Next month, Next blog

December kicks off with 3x League matches – Gladbach and Leipzig come calling and an away match at Dusseldorf.

We also have the 3rd Round of the German Cup as we welcome Freiburg for a Boxing Day clash.

Turning the Tide

October 2017

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v Karlsruhe (Home)

After a team-meeting to try and raise spirits and performance levels, we started this match in the right manner. Striking the post after 13 minutes, the resulting rebound and buildup is finished with a sliding effort at the front post.

The game evens out, with both teams holding the ball fairly well. We go on to strike for our 2nd on 34 minutes with an accurate headed finish.

After 58 minutes, striker Lebedynski tucks away a precise through-ball for our 3rd goal. The result was down to a much-improved team performance, and one we could be very proud of after a horror time of it previously.

Final Score: Frankfurt 3-0 Karlsruhe (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v Offenbach (Home)

Despite again starting the stronger, Offenbach score first on 16 minutes. Lebedynski soon restores parity, passing home his own deflected shot just 5 minutes later.

As the 2nd Half begins, we continue to pressure the visitors, a few shots whistling just over the bar. Lebedynski smashes home his 2nd goal at the 72 minute-mark after a delightful pass from centre-midfield.

Offenbach level the scores just 2 minutes later with poor marking costing us dearly. The crossbar is rattled later on, but the ball just will not cross the line for us. Lebedynski is denied his hat-trick by an offside flag, and newly-subbed striker Johnathan flashes his shot just wide on 90 minutes.

Final Score: Frankfurt 2-2 Offenbach (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Unterhaching v Frankfurt (Away)

We are making a good habit of starting well, this time wasting a chance on 6 minutes as Johnathan sprays his shot well wide with just the ‘Keeper to beat. Young striker Lebedynski continues his rich vein of form with the opening goal after 16 minutes. The same man pops up again soon after and fairly blasts a shot against the bar, as we continue to take the game to the hosts.

After Johnathan is taken off injured, his replacement up-front strikes our 2nd goal just before Half-Time; a precise finish after some one-touch interplay on the edge of the area.

Into the 2nd-Half, and Ehlert adds his second on 57 minutes after strike-partner Lebedynski streaks down the right channel and cuts it back for a simple finish. Ehlert turns provider himself, passing to a deep-lying midfielder in the box to fire home for our 4th, 75 minutes gone.

The clean-sheet is tarnished by a defensive mix-up right on Full-Time, but it can’t detract from a truly stunning performance away from home.

Final Score: Unterhaching 1-4 Frankfurt (screenshot and highlights below)

German Cup – 2nd Round – Union Berlin v Frankfurt (Away)

As has been our trend, we dominate this match from the off, creating many half-chances but without reward.

In the 2nd-Half striker Ehlert beats everyone, Goalkeeper included but snatches at his shot to blast wide. We eventually break through after 61 minutes, left-winger Uludag’s late run rewarded with a deft header. A sliding effort at the front post nets our second on 71 minutes.

We never looked in danger of losing this one, and march on to the 3rd Round, above and beyond initial Board expectations.

Final Score: Union Berlin 0-2 Frankfurt (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Next month, Next blog

3x League matches in November and 3 chances to continue our new-found form. Away matches at Wehen and Erfurt, hosting Aalen in the other game.

Iraq are back in action, and we hope to record our first win of the Asian Cup Qualifiers as we travel to Hong Kong. Then we welcome Philippines to Baghdad a few days later for a Friendly.

Slip ‘n Slide

September 2017

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v Augsburg (Home)

Just 9 minutes in and a straight red card to striker Lebedynski puts us immediately on the back foot. As expected, visiting Augsburg try to make the most of their numerical advantage, but spurn a few decent chances. The scores remain locked 0-0 at Half Time.

The game changes around 60 minutes, as Augsburg strike via a counter-attack, dinking a shot over our hapless Goalkeeper. We could never really assert ourselves in this match with a man down, but certainly didn’t disgrace ourselves.

Final Score: Frankfurt 0-1 Augsburg (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Ingolstadt v Frankfurt (Away)

The counter-attacking style I employed from the start was working well, but a curling Free Kick on 25 minutes gives Ingolstadt the lead.

Their 2nd goal comes on 36 minutes after lazy defending left 2 men unmarked mere yards from goal. We claw one goal back just before the break, Central Defender Zukanovic rising high to head home from a Free Kick of our own.

We came out firing in the 2nd Half, and our equaliser arrives on 53 minutes. An initial shot is saved well, but the deflection falls to our 2nd striker who passes into the gaping net. Really start to take the match to the Home side, hitting the post 5 minutes later, before taking the lead on 60 minutes. Brazilian striker Johnathon rifles a strike into the roof of the net to have us thinking about an unlikely 3 points.

It wasn’t to be though, as Ingolstadt pull the sides level on 80 minutes, a corner partially cleared only to be sent back in to a goalmouth scramble.

Final Score: Ingolstadt 3-3 Frankfurt (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v St. Pauli (Home)

I tried to have the team control this match more than the last, taking advantage of the Home location. It backfired spectacularly, as we concede a penalty in under 10 minutes. 1-0 to St. Pauli. They were only denied a 2nd goal on 15 minutes by a stunning reflex save.

St. Pauli’s Goalkeeper makes an equally important save 25 minutes in to deny us an equaliser. The frame of the goal where crossbar meets post is all that stops the score from inflating, but a corner kick soon after does the deed.

Our defence look statuesque as St. Pauli pass it around to open us up and score their 3rd on 70 minutes.

Final Score: Frankfurt 0-3 St. Pauli (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v Hertha Berlin (Home)

We hold the ball well early on without creating much in the way of chances. Hertha take the lead on 9 minutes with a slide-rule pass unlocking our defence.

It becomes 2-0 after 40 minutes as a cross from Hertha’s left wing finds a late run from their attacker. A powerful downward header just before Half Time cannons back off the post to deny us a reply.

A goal-line clearance on 52 minutes again denies us, and soon after Hertha all but ensure victory with their 3rd goal; a powerful effort from outside the 18 yard box.

Things go from disappointing to downright terrible as our Left Back receives his 2nd Yellow and his marching orders at the 72 minute-mark.

Final Score: Frankfurt 0-3 Hertha Berlin (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Aachen v Frankfurt (Away)

Once again, it’s not long before we concede, just 8 minutes on the clock and Aachen power home a header from the first corner of the match. Nothing much else takes place in the rest of the Half, and the score remains 1-0 as the teams take a break.

Aachen score their 2nd with minutes remaining, lazy marking handing them a comfortable 3 points.

The excitement doesn’t end there, as Centre-back Zukanovic becomes the second of my players in as many weeks to cop 2x Yellow cards in short order. Disgraceful.

Final Score: Aachen 2-0 Frankfurt (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Next Month, Next Blog

I’m hoping a terrible month just gone is only a minor slip.

October has us playing 3x league matches; Home stands against Karlsruhe and Offenbach either side of an Away day at Offenbach.

The German Cup continues, with our 2nd Round match at Union Berlin.