The AAU football club defeated Sigma Churpos TJ by a final score of 4-0 this weekend in a friendly for the club’s first ever 6 vs. 6 matchup.
Among the new changes to AAU Football this semester, the most significant of them is the club’s entrance into the Hanspaulka amateur league, which competes in small-side 6 vs. 6 (5+1) football. While this first matchup was a low-stakes friendly, it demonstrated promise for the future of the team’s new venture.
From start to finish the AAU squad maintained a relentless and disciplined attack that saw many creative scoring attempts, four of which were successfully converted. Baktiyar Kadyrkhanov contributed the first two goals of the day with Samuel Nykl and Tristan Pichereau also adding to the scoreboard.
The match was fast paced on both ends, forming a physically taxing game despite the shorter 60 minute play time. In spite of this, the team looked dynamic throughout and saw a number of impressive performances in many different areas.
The playstyle of small-side football is one that may take adjusting to compared to standard 11 vs. 11 play, something that head coach Matyáš Kousek acknowledged, emphasizing that there is still a need to tighten up the basics.
“When you play 6 vs. 6, there are two keys you need to remember: mark your player and take little touches,” Kousek said. “But at the same time this was our first small football game ever, and we did really well.”
Such a commanding performance despite the unfamiliar territory certainly demonstrates just how much potential for success this team could have in competitive play, and presents an exciting new component of the club for fans to keep up with.
While the team’s performance in this first match was uplifting, Kousek notes that there is still more progression to be made going forward.
“They made me very proud, but there is always room for improvement,” Kousek said.
Nonetheless, this first match makes for a great foundation for the team to build on going forward, as they begin this new era in the spring semester with an emphatic win.
