By Jackson Gillies & Michael Probst
AAU Football got themselves back into the win column with a 2-1 victory over SC Xaos on Monday, rebounding from a tough 8-0 loss to Galaksia Praha the week before.
It’s a welcome win coming on the heels of a shutout loss where things seemed off for the club, especially in regards to communication and team cohesion.
Coming into the game, AAU faced a recurring challenge of bringing together a consistent roster when study-abroad players are constantly joining and leaving the team. With less time to develop chemistry on the field, communication has become an important focus for the team moving forward.
“We need to communicate and talk to each other,” AAU captain Alex Aardoom said. “We don’t get to spend as much time together as a team because we are constantly losing and gaining new players as a school, so we need to communicate.”
AAU player Talia Bertino echoed that sentiment, pointing to composure and ball movement as other areas the team can improve.
“For the success of the team, we need to calm down, pass the ball better and communicate,” Bertino said.
AAU struggled to consistently maintain possession and create sustained attacks in the Sept. 21 loss, while Galaksia was able to take advantage of opportunities and establish control of the match. The team also faced an additional challenge when goalkeeper Bayden Tjalsma suffered injury late in the game, forcing AAU to adjust while trying to find its rhythm.
While the grim defeat may have been a tough reality check for the club following their commanding season opening win, this week things looked right back on track as they yet again faced SC Xaos, the opponent they had previously beaten in that opening matchup.
Right from the opening kickoff AAU came out swinging and established an early advantage on the scoreboard, led by two quick goals from Giovanni Manghi including a spectacular bicycle kick that found the back of the net for 2-0. The defense remained stout as well on the other end, as AAU took the two goal lead into halftime with plenty of momentum on their side.
The second half initially presented a much more even showing from the sides as both leveled promising attacks, and SC Xaos put the game in reach again with a goal around the 70th minute. However, AAU soon reestablished control, keeping the offensive pressure on to seal the win.
The game was a physical and hard fought one all the way through, and was not without some emotion and jawing back and forth from both sides. However, in the end AAU managed to keep their composure and come out on top, even if things got chippy at certain points throughout the match.
While there are still things the club will want to improve, this latest 2-1 win gets things on track again, and gives the club a morale boost to carry into their next match against the Prague Devils on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
