Despite the early morning downpour, GAS’ semi final showdown with arch rivals FC Planet went ahead as scheduled on what must go down as one of the hottest Saturdays on record. The prize at stake was a 2nd consecutive cup final appearance and the semi final offered a re-run of last year’s cup final heroics.
Deploying the usual 4-4-1-1 formation GAS looked to get on the front foot from the off and continue the high press tactic that worked so well in the first half of the most recent win against Sportsman. The opening exchanges were cagey with not many chances either end, Do pulling off a big stop to deny the Planet dangerman a clear one on one chance. The opening goal did go the way of the team from Pattaya however, as a pull back from the front man across the box left a tap in for the other Planet striker at the back post.
It was a killer blow for GAS as they had begun the game as the better side. For the remainder of the first quarter the goal seemed to have taken the sting out of the GAS attack, with the final ball going astray and too much of the game being played through the middle. After a much needed water break, GAS started the 2nd quarter again on the front foot and deservedly went level after a scramble in the box and the ball fell to make shift CF Josep to poke him over the despaired keeper’s dive. 1-1.
GAS continued to dominate the game up until HT with a lovely move involving Tommy, Han, Anton and Julian unfortunate not to send GAS in front going into the break.
After a couple of changes at the break, GAS came out in the 2nd half looking to turn their dominance into a lead. New signings Han and Woon continued to impress with the latter putting in a terrier like performance than N’Golo Kante would’ve been proud of, much to the annoyance of the Planet players and ‘staff’.
After a couple of near misses, GAS finally took the lead through talisman Julian who found himself in acres of space towards the back of the penalty area and calmly took his time before placing the ball in the bottom corner and sending the GAS spectators wild, they knew a second successive final place was within their grasp now.
Predictably now they were behind, Planet threw everything at GAS in the final 10 minutes (including some suspect challenges) but Tan ‘Airtime’ Demir was equal to everything they threw in the air, clearly showing that the weekly volleyball sessions are paying off!
Despite being under more pressure in the closing stages there was never much of a threat from the long ball tactics of FC Planet and had GAS been more clinical with a few of their breakaways the score line could’ve been settled earlier.
However, they did manage to hold on and the final whistle sounded with the score 2-1 to GAS, a place in the Lufthansa cup final secured and a much needed psychological battle won going into the crucial league fixture on Saturday.
MOM – Tan “Airtime” Demir