Scoutmania

Mežaparks Sports Village (Riga, Latvia). U18 league match played in a fantastic environment, near the Ķīšezers lake. Riga FC Academy was facing guest team Skanstes SK in a rainy afternoon. The final score (0-6) not always reflected the play but it means a lot for both teams – for different reasons.

Riga FC Academy under the guidance of coach Oleksandr Ivashchenko used a 4-1-4-1 shape with the team captain Kiril Ambrusevič in front of its defense (as by image below). The main striker was the physically excellent build Gasimu Sow Bah to whom major tasks were receiving and holding the ball in crucial areas of the final third.

The team’s will power was shown even being two goals down – keeping the opponents persistently under high pressure on the side of attempting to regain the balls in the offensive zone consumed a lot of energy and attention.

Skanstes SK, coached by Spanish Gorka Otaegi Bengoetxea, started the game in a 3-4-1-2 (or 3-5-2) reminiscent formation. This was their last match and they were still in fight for the championship title thus the goals played important role – so it was predictable before the clash that they will be on heavy offense from the kick-off. Forcing the play mainly to the flanks proved to be a good strategy; several dangerous and promising attacks were led especially on the left chain.

The best potential players in my opinion (all from the away team Skanstes SK):

Rūdolfs Kļavinskis (Skanstes SK), midfielder born in 2007.

Rūdolfs had an outstanding performance – not only because of scoring two goals and making one assist but he was also the ‘engine’ of the midfield. A special player with excellent technical readiness, good game intelligence and always showed high level of awareness. Proactive and creative player who often had to start the play from depths but was also not afraid when had to use his mobility to play one or two rows up or on the wings. Demonstrated quickness on the ball, even at the direction changes – also when he had to do it between two opposing player at the same time. Top performance, extremely high potential.

Sadiq Saleh (Skanstes SK), striker born in 2006.

Sadiq is a tall and physically strong player from Nigeria, who has quite good pace and acceleration, both on and off the ball. The potential ‘danger’ was detectable on almost every offensive movements of him; had several finishing and goal scoring opportunities in this match – hitting the net two times (and also making one assist). Outstanding at the sprint races, sometimes beat his opponents in these competitions fairly easily. Mobile enough; was able to make supportive low crosses to the middle, when arrived to the flanks (mainly to the right). The high level of determination and the great offensive mentality also gave massive boost for Sadiq’s attacking play.

Abdul Bangura (Skanstes SK), striker born in 2005.

Abdul is a talented and promising attacker who arrived from Sierra Leone this year. He had the most points in this game with making three assists (two for Kļavinskis) and scoring one goal. Abdul is a fast player with great mobility and agility which are mixed with high level of work rate and stamina. Confident and skillful on the ball, quite good at dribbling. His play was also useful when somebody from the team needed to take on the task to create shooting opportunities for the teammates. He maintained a high level of motivation throughout the match; was delighting to see his enthusiastic play.

To FOLLOW also Riga FC Academy defensive midfielder Kiril Ambrusevič (2007) and right-back Frančesko Ģirģens (2006); and Skanstes SK right midfielder Pēteris Palameiks (2007) and central midfielder Saymah Kamara (2005).

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