Game Recap: UPSL Match Day 4, Sat May 13th 2023, 6 pm Kickoff – Coyer Field
Full Time: FCY New York 2 – 1 United Elite Krajisnik FC
A pivotal early season match, pitting FCY New York, sitting pretty in third, with two wins and a tie, against United Elite Krajisnik FC from Utica NY, who have two wins and two draws but with an extra game under their belt. The weather was perfect for soccer, overcast and in the low 60s. Both teams were in good form, with solid talent all over the pitch.
FCY saw some new faces in the lineup with (#20)Diego Rivera starting up top and (0)Patrick Longsdon getting his first start in goal. (#13)Abdulgawi was filling in at center back for the departed Kowa, partnering with (#22) Adam Saif in the heart of the defense. Flanking them were fullbacks (#11) Jabreel Almontaser and (#2) Hussain Omar. In the midfield, (#7) Ali Shawish was playing the 6 role with (#19) Mohammed Saif playing the -8 role and (#10) Ali AlOmari the 10 role. Up top, (#9) Ali Mohamed, (#7) Witman Hernandez and (#20) Diego Rivera were looking to cause some trouble.
The match started with a bang, as Ali Mohammed sent a beautiful ball over the top to Diego Rivera who just missed the mark. Krajisnik responded with a free kick that was rebounded and saved by Longsdon. The first 20 minutes were tightly contested, with FCY New York maintaining a slight edge in possession.
As the first half wore on, FCY New York started to assert control, earning several corner kicks but failing to convert. A close call came in the 40th minute, when Ali Shawish sent another brilliant ball over the top to Diego Rivera, but the play was called offside. Following that another chance for FCYNY came when Moe Saif got a round a defender and put a beautiful through ball to Witman who got around his defender and shot low only to be denied by the keeper. First half ended 0-0. At halftime Coach Hesch stressed more intensity and to turn up the attack .
The second half started with FCY New York on the front foot, Ali AlOmari taking a well-struck shot that was saved by the Krajisnik keeper. Another superb attempt by FCYNY came when left back Jabreel Almontaser advanced up the left side beating 3 defenders on the dribble laying a nice through ball to Diego who was in the box and shot and was denied by GK. Krajisnik kept pushing and countering , with Isaak Somow, Ali Somow, and Riley Ulrie leading the charge, but the FCY New York back four stood tall.
The breakthrough came in the 47th minute, as a beautiful piece of combination play between Ali Mohammed, Ali Alomari, and Witman Hernandez resulted in the first goal of the match. 1-0 to FCY New York, it was a three touch combo between Ali Mohammed Ali Alomari and Witman in which Ali Mohammed recovered a ball and sent a nice pass to Ali AlOmari who one touched through ball to Witman who took ball through and buried it into the back of the net. 1-0 to FCYNY. Ali AlOmari gets credited with the assist.
In the 75th minute, Krajisnik came close to equalizing after a nice piece of play saw Issak Somow fire a shot point blank that was blocked by Adam Saif who slid causing the deflection.. . Moments later, Hussain Omar sent a beautiful long ball to Witman Hernandez who was taken down in the box. A PK was awarded to FCYNY but the penalty was saved by the Krajisnik keeper, keeping the scoreline intact.
FCY New York got their second when Diego Rivera took on two defenders and played a one-two with Witman Hernandez who took it with 2 touches and fired it home. 2-0 to FCY New York. Krajisnik responded immediately, with Somow delivering a cross to Zamora who hammered a shot off the crossbar and down torward the goalline mark . It was a close call, but no goal was given.
Krajisnik managed to pull one back after a mistake from the FCY New York goalkeeper, but despite a late push, FCY New York’s defense held firm, securing a 2-1 victory. A thrilling match, with plenty of drama and action, exactly what you want to see in a soccer game!
FCY New York’s starting lineup featured Patrik Longsdon, Jabreel Almontaser, Abdulgawi Albari, Adam Saif, Hussain Omar, Ali Shawish, Mohammed Saif, Ali Alomari, Ali Mohamed, Diego Rivera & Witman Hernandez. Substitutes included Roshanali Hamza & Chris Inganji.
Streaming Live Match by Joel Balthasar and commentary provided by Ramsey Abdulmalik & Admir (Ado) Kadric from the Cage Podcast
