May 6, 2001
Memphis Shock vs Arirang
Today we played Arirang, the team that walked off the field due to what they thought were ball calls by the ref in our last encounter. We didn’t think this would happen again. Game time conditions were near 80 degrees and dry pitch conditions even with the little rain earlier in the day. That’s a little misleading since the sun was out in full force today.
At halftime we had 11 people on the field, no subs. We started the game off quick. 10 minutes into the game we won a corner kick from the right side. The ball was sent in and an Arirang player tried to clear it. He shanked the clear and the ball went right in the middle where Cam came streaking in from the left to put a low strike on the ball that cut through the air that hit the back of the net. Memphis Shock up 1-0. Cam celebrated by pulling his jersey over his head blinding the rest of the team. Roughly 8 minutes later Arirang got a goal when a ball was sent in the middle where 1 defender was guarding 2 guys. We almost got the ball cleared, but just a second before Baxter got there the forward flicked just over our keeper. Tied 1-1.
The rest of the half was back and forth action, most of it in the middle of the field. We weren’t getting too much done with the forwards, thus leaving most of the work for our mids and defense. Although it was a tough job they were up to it. Many times the opposition was getting close to our goal to take a shot, the defense held tough and didn’t allow them many shots. During this half we got our 2 subs. In the heat they were much needed.
Keeping consistent with international soccer, each time we fingernail scratched them they sang some kind of war cry and dove to the ground. Most of the time the ref would give them a virtual pat on the back with a free kick. No joke, 3 times when one of their players had a ball, we touched them and they would scream out in writhing pain while still dribbling with the ball. It’s a sight to behold. One free kick was given to them outside our half circle when their player shot the ball, and on his follow through hit Jordan’s shinguard. The ref awarded them the free kick when he heard the cries of the opposition. The broken down Arirang player got up and promptly took the free kick. Man that must’ve hurt. But I guess when you are strong, and a man, little touches like that don’t hurt.
Up to this point of the game we had some good reffing. In the games with this ref he has always done a good job. For some strange reason, it changed going into the second half. The best call he gave for us was giving me the \$10 back for only having 2 refs.
We started the 2nd half off flat, just like the last time we played them. Arirang definitely had the momentum at the start of this half, but we were keeping them from breaking through. 15 minutes into the half Bishop was sprung loose on a sent ball in which he had his defender beat. Just outside the opponent’s box, Bishop was brought down from behind. For some strange reason, no card was given, not even a foul called. After a few seconds of us complaining, the ref finally stopped play to issue Bishop a card. Not to mention, somehow, the ball was given to the other team on our side of the field?? This was a beginning to the turn of the ref in Arirang’s favor. Minutes later Dennis was running with a ball and right around midfield stripe the 1 non-international for Arirang was attempting a slide tackle. The same time Dennis went to jump over him he lifted up his leg. After Dennis hit the ground Tim was the one who got the yellow when he asked the ref where was the foul. Those are just 2 of numerous calls that should’ve been called but weren’t.
Halfway in the second half the ref finally gave us a call. It was a handball. Not that big of a call, but when one team gets upwards of 15 calls for them and the other gets maybe 4(us), every call is big like that. We started to grab the momentum at this time. We started breaking down their midfield, which was pushing everyone up, and not coming back. Even though we only played 2 forwards, they were juking their defenders left and right. The last 10 minutes of the game was us attacking their goal from everywhere. Bryant was sending in some great balls from his right mid position that were oh so close to being finished by the guys up front. Arirang got a card when Winters was sent a ball and he turned to beat his defender. His defender stuck out his leg to act like he was going for the ball that was 10 feet away and upended Mark. Could it be? A call for us? Yes, it was.
Our defense was staying strong as ever, collapsing on every ball that made it in their area. Arirang could’ve had a couple of shots, but when a player gets in between the ball and goal, it’s a little hard to shoot. The defense kept us in this game, being under attack for a good part of the game. It took 480 minutes for someone to break through. That’s what you call stellar defense.
Finally, after 45 minutes of 12 on 11 soccer, the ref blew the whistle 3 times to end the game. The tie of 1-1 officially eliminated Arirang from D4 contention. We were outplayed this game, but still ended up with a tie. In the first half we were getting down on ourselves, but the second half we were saying positive things, having fun, and joking around. This kept us loose. We also came to the conclusion that we would nearly have to have our ankle torn off to get a whistle. But who knows, that call could’ve gone against us also.
Our defense was tough under pressure. Our midfield started off strong, got tired, and then finished off strong. Forwards, even though they didn’t get may chances on goal, took advantage of those opportunities. This was a boring game to write about. With nearly 80% of the action in midfield. What can you say?
In the end, we found out Rage lost to the Eagles, making us 1 tie closer to being D4 champs. If we can at least tie Arsenal next week, the Rage/Arirang games in the next 2 weeks don’t matter to us. Hopefully we can not lose and then not have to worry about any other games.
Dennis Thompson
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