Pre-Season 'Friendlies'

After what seems like an age I am finally back with a new post. I apologise for the wait but we have been without the wonders of the internet for the last week or so, and I will try to make up for it by putting up a couple of new posts this week...

As pre-season officially came to an end on Saturday with Miguel Junior having completed his first two months as head coach, I thought it would be a good time to report on the progress of the team and our prospects for the coming season...but before I go any further I must make it clear that these games simply cannot be classed as friendlies. Some of the tackling on show would not look out of place in the Dutch World Cup Final performance and if anything makes the Karl Henrys and Nigel De Jongs of this world look like fairys. The first evidence of this came in one of our first training sessions, an 11v11 match which saw my midfield partner Edgar (Peter Crouch) two-footed by Ruben and consequently injured for the next two months. All joking aside it is one of the things we will be trying to stamp out during our time here as it won't be long before someone is seriously injured.

Our first so called friendly came against a local team containing the club's very own computer teacher Waru Waru. In the pre-game meeting Miguel said he wanted to be 10-0 up by half time, so we weren't expecting too much from the opposition, although when I came on at half time for Alex at 3-0 we were more than comfortable.

The opposition tired in the second half and the game finished 13-0, with Mabass scoring 7, Felix 3, and Moussa, Ruben and Simao helping themselves to one each.

Sunday 6th Feb: Têxtil do Púnguè vs Grupo Desportivo De Manica

Our first real test came against Têxtil do Púngué Beira. We knew that the journey would be a long one having done the reverse journey on the way back from the airport, but that did nothing to prepare us for the journey we were about to experience. To say the bus was cramped would be an understatement, and unfortunately I cannot provide you any pictures due to the fact that I could not move my arms. After being told on the previous night that we had to be up at 5am we assumed that it would be an early afternoon kick off. Instead when we arrived after a 5 hour drive we were treated to a nice lunch in the oppositions local bar, and were given time to enjoy the surroundings.

When we arrived at the ground, having got used to the dirt pitch at our modest ground in Manica, our first surprise was to see grass. Our second was to see the huge stand and hundreds of paying spectators already in their seats!

As we took our places on the bench, the crowd started to liven up, particularly the fan with the megaphone who was constantly shouting something about 'Mzungus', Mzungu literally meaning a person of foreign descent, but more commonly used as a name for a white person.

Our opposition were from the top league in Mozambique (we are in the one below), and they started to enforce themselves early on and took the lead in the first half from a corner. We did have chances after some good work from Simaozinho on the left and Ruben on the right but we went in at half time 1-0 down.

The second half started in similar fashion and we quickly went 2-0 down. After about 10 minutes of the second half and Mariano coming on for Ruben on the right, Miguel told me to warm up, which raised probably the biggest cheer of the game so far. I was introduced with about half an hour to go, again replacing Alex in centre midfield, but unfortunately I was unable to prevent defeat for the team and the game finished 2-0.

After the game we were treated to drinks and sandwiches from the opposition and it was nice to see the crowd come down and mix with the players before we set off on the long journey home.

Saturday 12th Feb: Grupo Desportivo De Manica vs Vilankulo FC

The following week, and Adam's birthday, provided our second serious fixture. Played at the ground of Textáfrica do Chimoio, the journey was a much more manageable 45 minutes.

Being a neutral venue, the crowd were cheering for any tackle, pass, shot or piece of skill, no matter what team provided it, and they were just as interested in the Mzungus as the previous game's supporters.

Unfortunately, despite the crowds chants of 'get the whites on', Adam and I were both left on the bench for the 90 minutes. To some extent we felt pretty lucky as our two first choice goalkeepers, Ribeiro and Gabriel were taken off after coming off worse in collisions with the opposition's strikers, both leading to the goals which subjected us to a 2-0 defeat. Centre back Lloyd ended up in goal and somehow got away with not conceding a penalty after hauling down the striker as he looked certain to make it three!

Tuesday 22nd Feb: Grupo Desportivo De Manica vs Clube Ferroviário de Nampula

Our next game was again played at the home ground of Textáfrica and was to provide Adam with his first minutes for the club. After youngster Chadreque and veteran Chibanga had both had their chances at right back, Adam's solid performances in training finally got him a start. Despite a few pre-match nerves and a complete lack of rhythm in the warm-ups which served to amuse the whole bench for a good 20 minutes, he performed very well indeed. One moment of brilliance came when he appeared to have judged the flight of the Nampula goalkeeper's kick perfectly, only for the header to knock him completely off his feet and into a cartoon-esque backwards roll!

Nampula, along with Vilankulo FC, also play in the top league of Mozambican football, and therefore it was no disgrace to again come away on the end of a defeat, this time by just one goal to nil, and with a much improved performance from the team. In particular, strikers Mabass and Felix impressed along with the ever consistent Simaozinho.

Sunday 27th Feb: Grupo Desportivo De Manica vs Estrela Beira

Our first home game. On the day before the game, both the players and the staff of GDM spent hours cutting the grass as until then it was unacceptable for a somewhat competitive football match. By the end of the day it looked a lot better and it seemed as if playing the ball along the floor would actually be feasible, however there is still plenty of work to be done before the start of the season.

As Estrela had come the unenviable 5 hours drive from Beira, when they arrived at our club they were treated to a chicken and spaghetti lunch, and a room for them to relax before the game. Aware that the opposition were here, Adam and I were relaxing in our room when we heard a cry of 'Mr Drew- how do you like them apples' in a strong Portuguese accent. Straight away I knew that the voice was of 'Van Donkey', a player who had been on trial at the club when we first arrived but was not deemed good enough to play here. It was great to see him and also great to hear that he has not forgotten the basics of the English language that we taught him!

For the match Miguel had made a few changes, with Eddy and Mussa starting ahead of Ruben and Alex, and Adam again keeping his place at right back. Immediately the difference between this opposition and the top league opposition that we had been used to was noticable, and we were much more in control of the game than in other games. Again, the loudest cheer of the game came when Adam pulled off a very English sliding tackle, English meaning not two footed with all 24 studs staring down the opponents face.

Despite being in control, chances were wasted and the ruthless home crowd wanted to see some changes and did not mince their words. They were given their wish when Mussa and Eddy were replaced either side of half time by Alex and Ruben. The changes had an immediate impact as Felix turned 3 defenders outside the box to win a free-kick. With Ruben and Paiva also close by, Mabass stepped up to send the ball flying into the top corner much to the relief of Miguel.

As the game came to a close, youngsters Mariano and Chadreque were introduced for Adam and Paiva, and I came on for the last 15 minutes in place of Esquerdinha. The win was a relief for everyone and spirits were high in the camp after the game.

This brings to an end the summary of pre-season and as I am writing, we prepare for a tournament tomorrow in Chimoio where we will face Textáfrica, after Vumba take on Shoprite. As always I hope you enjoyed the update and there will be more to follow as we get closer to the start of the season...