Player Blogs
Chris Bush's Blog
Match: AIS v Newcastle
Date: Saturday 30/01/2010
AIS had our first win of the season on the weekend over the Newcastle Jets who had travelled up the night before. We played at Deakin Football Stadium on Saturday the 30th of January. We were confident coming into this game, for the last time we played Newcastle we dominated the game and were unlucky not to come away with a result. So we were out to seek revenge and get our first win of the season.
It was a hot day here in Canberra and kick off took place at 3pm. After a solid warm up we talked tactics with the coaches and were ready to play. The mood in the dressing room was focused and it felt like it was going to be a good day. We dominated possession from the word go and created many chances but couldn't make them count, with a few good saves from the Newcastle keeper and failure to convert from our forwards. But when Kamal Ibrahim got a through ball that put him 1v1 with the keeper, he made no mistake and slotted the ball with a great left foot shot across goal. We continued to make chances, and so did the opposition but our defence and our goalkeeper Aaron Lennox made sure that we kept our lead. Unfortunately, just before halftime, Newcastle equalised off a scrappy corner to end the half on a high for the Jets. We went into the dressing rooms at halftime at 1-1.
After an inspirational talk at half time from our coaches, encouraging us to keep playing well and try to seal a win, we went out onto the pitch with energy to burn. Again we dominated play and were continually asking questions of the Newcastle defence. The game got a bit fiery as both teams were searching for a win. A few crunching tackles from Marc Warren and Sam Gallaway soon quietened the Jets a little. As a draw was seeming imminent, a good combination play down the right side set up Jake Barker Daish to fire in a well placed cross to the back post. Kamal Ibrahim was there again, flying high, to slot home a well timed header into the back of the net putting the score at 2-1 with not long left in the game.
The question on everyone’s lips was whether the AIS could hang on to the lead, as we had led in previous games but failed to maintain them for victories. When the final whistle blew, after 5 minutes of added injury time, AIS had won 2-1 over the Newcastle Jets. Everyone was very excited about our win and the expressions on our boys faces said everything. The atmosphere in the change rooms was electric, and was a scene of yelling, backslaps and handshakes of congratulation all round.
Next week we travel to Melbourne to play Melbourne Victory. We are hoping to continue our good form and hopefully again convert this into a victory away from home.
By Chris Bush
