RAVENS FC 1 - 0 Feeder AFC Cup, Round of 16
4-2-2W-2 vs 4-4-2
A close game, that sees Feeder slip to their third defeat of the season. Both teams were of similar quality (32.4 vs 29.6) and played with a similar formation, the difference being Spanish side RAVENS play with attacking wide midfielders instead of a flat midfield. Both managers were present and had a supporter, so with their stadium full the home team edged possession at 55-45
Feeder start well, despite misplacing a lot of their mixed passes and recording a success rate in the mid-70s. We create more chances and have more shots but these are mostly blocked by the home defence, which carries one world class player (aerial SA) and one superstar (DF wall). The home side are restricted to just 3 shots at goal and the away teams defenders can be pleased with their work so far
Into the second half and the game is still close - the home side is still passing well and now creating more chances, but Feeder are more than holding their own. The home side make a sub, switching a striker after 68 minutes. Feeder respond 10 minutes later, bringing on playmaker Zenadi in an attempt to improve the passing rate. This seems to work as the passing percentage goes up into the 80s, but we're still not registering shots on target (that ruthlessness from earlier in the day has completely disappeared, to be replaced by 2 on target from 11 attempts)
Finally, with 6 minutes to go, RAVENS get a corner and their substitute striker rises to bury it into the net. There's no way back. A slim victory for the home side in the first leg is by no means a bad result and we have recovered from worse once already this season, however the lack of an away goal may come back to haunt the English side in the return game