1st leg of 2026/2027 Abbsa 1st division brings a big clash of last season’s 3rd on table RBBFC vs champions Azur. 1st day of school type of feeling. Difficult game to prepare with late summer holidays still underway, only one prep match and some big names missing from squad list. What a way to start still fresh co-captaincy role for Matthias ‘I am Groot’.
After he recited the starting 11 and never stronger bench, he stated that all was said the night and that morning by ex and new captains en vacances before giving word to another new co-captain with code name ‘Missile’ for some more tactical info and finishing with some good old motivation by El Tariko. Special mentions to two newcomers in your new favourite dog race, Chinchilla and shoeless Waniske. Starting 11 in 3-5-2 formation: Fede-Dex-Matt-Seba-Sebi-Tarik-Luka-Wanis-Boni-Paul (Daniele-Nico-Eliaz-Charlie + always present Tiago). Watching the game again now (thanks Veo crew) you could see a bit of nervousness from both sides from early on which is understandable considering it is game 1 and an important one. Both teams were trying to build the game from the back and get onto the ball more. As the minutes passed whites managed to up the tempo and polish the passes resulting in some nice football on the sides with quick passing. First opportunity came after a corner and rebound header from Dex to Boni who hit it just off the post followed by another Boni (tough) 1on1 well saved by the keeper. Thankfully for us the third time, Boni was razor sharp in delivery after an excellent and quick counter attack where the intercepted ball got to Seba whom launched it long for Paul who smartly let the ball through and the opposition player pass into nothing after sprinting for another 20m and unselfishly assisting Boni for a bottom left shoot that keeper couldn’t save. Just before halftime a long ball by Dex over the defence found Boni sprinting to the goal and trying to dribble the keeper. What seemed like a pen wasn’t called. Off to halftime with 1-0. Second half started well with whites continuing to putt pressure and trying to keep the ball, searching for one more goal to put this game to bed. This brought us close to goal a few times with millisecond late header from Sebi on a nice cross from Josh (wing back to wing back), long shot from Luka and a dubious pen missed by a striker with big hammies. This moment gave a bit of wind to the opposition as these things usually do but before they were able to capitalise we managed to score when our super sub Missile made some mess between three opposition players with ball somehow coming to Boni in 5m for a tap-in for 2-0. Another great opportunity followed with a nice long volley through ball from Josh to Paul who swung it to oncoming Missile who was denied a goal by a nice save from the goalie. And then when you don’t score you concede. Probably because someone might have mentioned the cursed ‘let’s keep the clean sheet’. Unlucky goal on a cross played on a short corner where we had I think 3-4 players in the box but lost concentration used by their only player in the area to score for always tricky 2-1. However, good reaction from the team resulted in relatively calm last 10min where we were trying a bit more than them just shows me how hungry we are which is very positive and great to see. Special mention to defence who played a very good match and overall everyone defensively. Let’s continue that! Way we played offensively with quick and easy solutions opened the game many times and created good chances. Let's build on that too! To finish off, another season started. Exciting weekends ahead! Looking at results we are in for a treat with the usual contenders again aiming high (Irelande and LXG), some surprises (Higgins vs Portugal) and solid presentation from newbies. It just shows that division 1 is getting better and more equal which is a welcome sight. It also means every weekend will be a tough one and we will have to show up and deliver to deserve the 3 points. Thanks for the votes! It’s been an absolute pleasure to play along side you boys and share this very good start into the new season. Motm Luka