Vs. Phoenix Tainan (away)
0:4 (0:1)

04/03/2007

Team: Hudson – Shard, Hawley, McKend, Storey – Jones, Baldy, Hooton, Cantwell – O’Brien, Fabian.
Subs: Smith, Gourley, Cerros, Doherty, Furnival.

Trip to Tainan in order to face table leaders Phoenix did not bring a point to 100 Pacers. Despite a heavy loss Kaohsiung’s top side have shown some character.

 The first half brought quite equal football from the both teams. Although Phoenix produced more chances to score they lacked luck in crucial moments. Finally after the quarter they scored from a one-on-one situation with Hudson. The defensive line was late and did not leave any chance for the goalie. After that mistake irritated Hudson rejected at least three perfect scoring situations for Phoenix in a period of 10 minutes. His top class goalkeeping prevented the Pacers loosing the game within the end of the first half. Unfortunately the team lost its vital center-back McKend due to a foot injury picked approximately 25 minutes after the beginning of the game. Pacers could not convert possession in the midfield to proper shooting positions. The last pass was not working well, which meant Fabian and O’Brien were not making much trouble for Phoenix’s defensive formation.

The opening minutes of the second half turned to be decisive for the final result. Already a goal behind Pacers put in some extra effort to equalize and look for a point against Phoenix. The Kaohsiung side was not far from leveling the game. After 6 minutes skipper Baldy had the first real chance to score. His powerful close range header was denied for a reason known only to himself. Seconds later Phoenix pulled a lethal counterattack, which killed hopes of a positive ending. It left Pacers no option. Inspired Shard gave a signal for a total attack by visiting opposite side of the pitch far more often that during the first half. Ten minutes before time Hooton had an excellent chance to make it 1:2 and bringing back the militant spirit that could possibly change the game. To teammates despair he was not able to net the ball. Finally determined Phoenix delivered two very late goals that punished Pacers who opened the field due to a desperate search for a precious goal.

By Adam Drzewucki