Scoutmania

ISD Stadium Pitch, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Latvian Virslīga team Riga FC, silver medalists of season 2024, faced local second tier club United FC in a friendly clash (1-1).

United FC, Emirati club of the UAE First Division League (2nd tier), under its French coach Didier Zanetti, started this game in a 4-1-3-2 reminiscent formation but tried to use various shapes in play, like a 2-3-2-3, while they were bringing up the ball from behind (as we can see below).

(United FC in different periods of the game; a 3-players line supports the 2 defenders at one row back)

United FC, was able to speed up the play in the middle of the pitch, forcing Riga FC players to use a lot of energy during these running challenges. Hard tackles and solid physical contacts were typicals of the team’s defensive play, which resulted dissent in some cases.

Riga FC, led by its Slovakian coach Adrián Guľa, who was signed for the role few days before the match, started the clash in 4-2-3-1. The team is in a training camp in the United Arab Emirates, and this game was their first ‘test’. The shape was often formed to a 2-4-4 in possession (as we can see by the image below), focusing on to lead the main attacks on the right flank.

(Riga FC shape variation in possession, while being under pressure, in addition to the midfielders were marked tightly)

Riga FC coach made several changes for the second half but the team’s power with those players represented the same good quality and mentality.

The leading goal came from United FC side in the 28th minute, when Argentine striker Marcelo Torres found the net, after beating two opposing defenders at the same time (1-0). Game’s equalizing hit came only 34 seconds after the start of the second half: Spanish player of Riga FC, Brian Peña delivered it (1-1). It can be said as a whole, that the clash was quite balanced and the teams were equal in play. After some too hard and unnecessary fouls, the match turned to be a bit ‘heated’ and minor or major disagreements occured. In the end, all things considered, this meet was good to see several great performances.

(Marcelo Torres from United FC, on the way to take the lead for his team)

Best potential players?

Malick Atanda (United FC), right centre-back born in 2005.

Malick, defender from Ivory Coast, played as RCB in this game. He is a fairly tall player with very good physical structure and strength; prefers tight man marking and often forces his opponents to be under physical contacts. Has great jumping ability, strongly promising at the aerial situations: both at his aerial duels and in aerial actions at the team’s attacking set pieces. Positioned himself in the defensive zone well; was able to make effective clearances as well as good shot blocks. Basically has good pace and acceleration on the ball and able to follow the motion of his opponent(s) properly, during defending. From the middle of the second half, he was wearing the captain’s armband.

Prince Gueye (United FC), goalkeeper born in 2005.

Prince is a Senegalese goalkeeper with athletic body type and very good strength. Has good technique on the ball, wasn’t afraid when had to play with it. Demonstrated more or less accurate long kicks as well as useful short passes / short distributions at the back. Showed decent timing, when moved off his position (inside his area) to catch the long opposing balls. Was also good in punching out the arriving high balls, especially at the opponent team’s corners. Presented that he has good reflexes and quick reaction time. The great flexibility was also typical of him; performed some really good and spectacular diving saves.

Hussaini Ibrahim (Riga FC), central midfielder born in 2006.

Hussaini is a young, Nigerian midfielder with great quickness and mobility. High level of confidence was visible on him, even while he was under heavy (often physical) pressure; made important tackles and ball interceptions in the midfield zone. Clearly gave stability to the team’s midfield by his presence, supported his teammates by useful (progressive) short passes from his position. His mentality and attitude demonstrated in this game were ‘extra points’ to his great performance. In addition to the high work rate and outstanding determination, showed very good potential.

To FOLLOW also United FC Ivorian players Alassane Diallo (right-back, 2004) & Brahima Ouattara (central/defensive midfielder, 2002), Portuguese-Angolan left winger Samuel Pedro (2001) and Ghanaian left-back Baba Salifu Apiiga (2007); and Riga FC left winger Eduards Daškevičs (2002), Senegalese right winger Pape Guèye (2003), Spanish attacking midfielder Brian Peña (2002) and Brazilian striker Reginaldo Ramires (2001).

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