It was a very passionate performance from Vlora FC in the team’s home opener against Maplebrook 58ers on Wednesday. Early in the match it looked fairly even with both teams creating a few chances. It was at the 37th minute that momentum began to shift one way. Vlora FC defender Shane Marshall received an unlucky red card for a foul trying to prevent a one on one with the keeper. Most watching the game may have thought that Vlora FC’s hopes looked grim, but it was quite the opposite. Now down to 10 men, the Vlora FC began to with much more urgency and decisiveness. Just before the half the Josiah Colman slipped in a ball to Leo Anthony down the right side who dribbled inside the 18-yard box and hit a laser into the side netting. Vlora FC was able to escape the half with a 1-0 lead.
Although, up a goal at the half there was still a huge task ahead to preserve the lead with a man down for 45 minutes of play. Vlora FC made multiple subs and tactical changes in second half that proved to work almost to perfection. The team scored three goals in the second half while also holding Maplebrook to none. It was truly a hard-fought effort mixed with some beautiful play. The goals in the second half came from Anthony who scored on a counter on a through ball from Sam Clark. The highlight on the night came when Matthias Caspari won a challenge at midfield and backheeled a ball to Suljic who then hit a 55-yarder bomb catching the keeper of his line, making the score 3-0. The last goal came from Caspari (Suljic) on a counter.
Coach Carter Albrecht had this to as after that performance from his squad… “Down to ten men after 37 minutes. You could see the excitement on the opponents’ faces. You could see them relax a bit. But we adjusted, remained disciplined in our new shape, and hit them on the counter again and again. With 10 men, we played with the energy of 20. Mesmerizing stuff at times. To win 4-0 is brilliant. To score all four with ten men is almost indescribable. Couldn’t be happier with our mentality, our culture of strength, and six points from the first six possible.”
Vlora FC will play Brooklyn Knights FC this evening at Park Center High School, kickoff at 6pm.
