After a gorgeous Saturday last week to practice, we had the worst weather ever to practice today. At least in the beginning though.

Before actually practicing we watched around 10 minutes of our match against Suzhou, checking positions and some adjustments we have to do. Soon I will post the whole match online so we can watch it.

Unfortunately we were missing two players today, plus our mascot Julia. I would just like to remind that if you cannot make to one of the practices, you must let me know why. I am sure no matter how much we love football, we all have plenty other things to do, specially on a horrible Saturday morning like today.

We spent almost one hour doing specific drills planned according to what the players considered their weakness. Drills to improve trapping and passing, other to improve trapping high balls, defenders learning how to position themselves better and drills for the goalies on how to really securely hold the ball. I spent most of the time with them punting high balls so they would learn how to get it at the same time guarantee their space. I think at least for the goalies was very productive. I glanced the other drills and I thought the girls were doing it too slow. We have to have self discipline to keep repeating the drills until exhaustion because that’s the only way we can actually improve. I know the weather was not the best since it was even hailing when we actually started practice. At least, when we started a scrimmage, the weather was much better.

We played for forty minutes and it was a good match. It ended 5 x 3 to the reserves, playing with one less. I had to play with the reserves and I have to say Esmee and Celine were great, passing, positioning and scoring goals. Victoria played improvised as defender but her midfielder’s heart forced her to leave Katy alone many times.

Now we have Sunday to rest and go full force Monday to play against the German school. That will be their first official match of the season and they know we already won our first match. It will an interesting match.