Impressions from the second training game (MAIF 3 - 0 Kristianstad)

MAIF played its second training game of the season against neighbouring Kristianstad (including ex-MAIF players Senftén and Boven, but not new promising recruit Stefan Larsson from SGIF). The game was played on the artificial grass plane of Rosenholm, outside Karlskrona. It was quite funny to see this much green in the middle of all the white. It was sunny and almost no wind, but quite cold as well.

As the score can indicate, MAIF was in control of the game. Kristianstad did start quite agressively, but the defense was strong and did not let much through, and new goalkeeper Fransson (man this guy speaks a lot) was always ready.

The instructions were quite clearly to build and bring the ball up through passes, and not just throwing the ball away. It did work, and very well at that. Even in difficult and very closed situations, the players found a way out and brought the ball up (actually the only one time the ball was thrown away it was lost, as yet another proof that it's not the right way to go).
It was a real pleasure to watch football of that quality.

Except for Dusan, the whole team got some play time.
Berner was like last year, very quick, very agressive. He missed a one-on-one situation, but did the assist on the 1st goal.
Eken played a little easy at times, but did (as often) score, both the 1st and 3rd goals. From what I could hear he did not like the artificial grass. At all.
Alex was excellent today, he was everywhere, involved in most actions. He scored the 2nd goal as well.
The defense line (initially Tobbe, Lindberg, Cederberg, Wille) was stable.
Danne was not in his best shape today, not very inspired, backing a lot when there were openings up, late in many interventions.

As to the newcomers, Patrik made a very good first impression, played simple and efficient, good vision of the game, good timing. Marcello replaced him for the 2nd half, working a lot, good impression as well. Besim I only saw from very far, so I don't have an opinion. Then there was all the youngsters, I don't know the name of half of them, but they showed good level as well. Some lack of routine, not unexpectedly, but they where holding their place. That's very good news for the internal competition.

We did not see Sasa, the Johan's (Svensson and Persson) and Simon. So no idea where they are in their preparation.

Finally, the line referees were not in their best shape either, finding a couple of imaginary offsides (remember, offside is when the ball starts, not when it arrives).

Anyway, this was still training, there is still time to fine-tune things before the season starts. MAIF showed some good qualities today. If we see the same play level with adversaries of closer level (Kristianstad plays in the 3rd league), then we will have a good season.