3/14/00 – Select Match (1985s) Liga v. Non-Liga
1100 at Dechin (Fotbalovy Club Dechin Junior)

The match pitted two select teams against each other. The teams were divided between players affiliated with Liga clubs (Teplice, Jablonec, Liberec, etc.) and non-Liga teams (Dechin). The pitch was a dark dirt surface, which had no grass and appeared to be tightly compacted dirt and gravel. This surface has the advantage of being basically impervious to weather. Though it had rained continuously for the week prior to my visit and the match was played during a steady drizzle, there was no standing water on the field, the pitch was fast and the ball traveled true. Dechin had a nice clubhouse with a bar and restaurant on the premises. The match was lightly attended but the restaurant was full. The match consisted of two games between the same players with a 20 minute break in between.

The Liga players clearly had the better of the run of play, although the first match ended in a draw. The second match was 2-0 at half. The teams showed all the disparities in size you expect of 14 year old boys. Neither side seemed to have an advantage due to the size, although the Liga teams were slightly bigger physically.

I observed the following differences between the teams and American youth players:

• The pace on the passes was excellent. You could hear the ball being struck well across the pitch. There was little doubt about the ability of a teammate to control a well struck ball. This was especially true of the Liga team.
  
• The players were very creative on the ball and used fakes and feints to unbalance the first defender consistently in all areas of the field. Strangely, the players were very unselfish in front of the goal, often choosing to pass the ball where you would expect a shot. This was true of both teams.
  
• Neither team ever hesitated to play the ball backward for possession, including to the goalkeeper if necessary. The goalkeepers showed better than adequate foot skills. Balls were played back for possession in all parts of the field.
  
• Teammates were always positioned deeper than the player with the ball and prepared to make forward runs to receive lateral passes. The Liga team was particularly adept at this and on several occasions quickly changed the point of attack with two or three quick lateral passes to teammates who stepped forward to receive the ball and continue the change of fields.
  
• Both teams consistently looked to finish off of balls slotted backwards from near the end line or dropped from inside the box to players running on from just outside the penalty area.

• In the final third of the field, the Liga players always followed their pass with a penetrating run. The run was not always rewarded with a return pass, but often was effective to move defenders and create new playing options for the player on the ball.

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©2000 Scott Placek