Yoogali Juniors SC 2

Yenda SC 1

YOOGALI Juniors Soccer Club had to work hard for its slim 2-1 win over Yenda last round, with the side playing with at least a man down for much of the second half with the Tigers rallying for a late draw.

Soon after half-time Yoogali Juniors lost a man due to two yellow cards with coach Bruno Musitano forced to reshuffle his formation to cover, but the Yoogali coaches' headaches had only just began.

Goalkeeper Josh Nascimben was also sent off for two yellow cards in the 80th minute, one bizarrely given for not getting a clearance kick away in under six seconds.

"I couldn't believe it, but I put Sevi Tropea in goal, I think he used to play there a while ago, but he was the only player that came to mind when I had to put somebody in there (goal)," Musitano said.

Despite Yenda pushing forward to make the most of the stand-in 'keeper, they couldn't find the elusive equaliser that would have given the side's younger players a major boost against one of the competition heavyweights.

Musitano paid tribute to his side's ability to grind out the win, but said their patience in attack will need to improve if they are to break down the well-structured defensives of the competition's top sides.

"To my players credit they fought hard. They played well considering we were under the hammer for much of the second half, but we just didn't play good soccer (in the first half), we were doing everything too quick rather than composing ourselves and knocking the ball around to try to work them over, we tried to play too direct at times," Musitano said.

"This season the games you're expected to win are your toughest encounters, and they turn into grinding sort of matches and that can be a little frustrating sometimes."

Yoogali was able to get on the board first in the 20th minute through a clinical strike from Anthony Sergi, giving his side the lead it needed, as they continued to pepper the Tigers' goalkeeper for the rest of the half.