Lone Star Player Ratings Against Angola


By Wleh Bedell
bedellblessing@yahoo.com
+2316106293


It was another mediocre performance by the team known as the nation's pride and joy the Lone Star as they in an uninspiring, spark-less and hate-to-talk about or remember fashion fail to pull a win on home soil against a virtually cautious or negative Angolan side that entered the fray with the objective of not to lose.

In its second match in the qualifier on Sunday, June 10, the Lone Star in front the legendary George Weah and thousands of Liberians failed to make amends at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) after their 3-1 loss to Senegal as their defense though not tested saw a match that had less adventurous full backs, penetration-less midfield and a sterile attack from a Lone Star perspective that annoyed its faithful. But, just how did the national team ambassadors fared in the contest is what is being unfolded.

Nathaniel Sherman: With the 2006 World Cup debutant, Angola, imploring a rather negative game, the local club UMC Roots save pair of hands was rarely tested. But, the custodian however gave account of the relatively few balls that went in his path with the header from the Real Valladolid towering forward Manucho being one to mention. His decision to start the game from the back in encouraging a rather neat but slow build up play was a plus as he kept his second straight clean sheet at home in competitive fixtures.
Rating: 5.5

Teah Dennis Jr. The Barrack Young Controllers (BYC) center half was a doubt to many as he was being placed in a rather unfamiliar position. The lad had featured in such position many seasons ago during his days with Monrovia Breweries which caused some worries. But, he managed to feature in such position showing much composure.

However, judging from the fact that in the modern game a full back is required to be lethal during the attack in venturing forward to make rapid runs forward and as well be accurate under pressure, the former Oilers man was accurate under pressure must was not the offense minded full back in providing the crosses for forwards. Since the opponents were defensive, one expected the Lone Star to be more positive with a full back raging forward which was not seen. One key moment though was when he made a delicious cross field pass to Gebro. But, he mainly engaged in providing diagonal balls and stayed back.
Rating: 6.0

George Gebro: Wearing the Captain's arm band the Invincible Eleven (IE) rugged center back started on the brightest of note with a host of promising displays as he raged forward. He used great technique in controlling a cross field pass from Dennis and was as well good in the fifty-fifty balls. He showed character and passion and made a couple of descent crosses. But, as the game progressed especially in the second stanza, he relatively switched off and resulted in the diagonal balls. Taking inot account that the player is now on the wrong side of 30 which to a large extent makes him to lack the speed and aggression in making rapid runs upfront, the Lone Star may continue to struggle from threats from the rear in wide areas, something the game of contemporary time demands.
Rating: 7.0

Omega Roberts: Making his first appearance since 2006 when the Lone Star won against Rwanda 3-2 at the ATS in a nervy fashion, the Serbian top flight outfit FK Sloboda rearguard nearly caused a stir in the first two minutes as his poor square ball went in the path of an opponent who was keen on pouncing. With Manucho alone upfront and mainly isolated, the towering center back was cool in engaging in the build up and get pass opponents as well. But, on several occasions Manucho won the aerial duels with his flicks. The lad also showed great composure when he dribbled three onrushing strikers right before the box to the delight of the home crowd.
Rating: 5.5

Jimmy Dixon: The Turkish club Manisaspor center back who has often been criticized for not putting in more in terms of engaging in tackles as he relies only on teammates to do the hard work and then collect the pieces, was this time up to the task as he got himself involved in tackling opponents. He showed commitment and had an interesting duel with his former club mate Manucho. He had a towering header from a Zah out swinging dead ball send over the bar and also shifted in wide areas at times to assist full backs. Like his central defensive partner however, the presence of the ex-Manchester United forward Manucho caused him to stay back as his game generally lacked the forward drive.
Rating:5.5

Alseny Keita: Operating as the deep lying playmaker, the France lower league side US Monasaart harder worker featured in initiating his team's attack as they pile the passes. He disposed, tackled and gave the telling balls as his side switched from defense to attack. But, there were times he was caught ball watching as he was not quite often closing the gap between midfield and defense especially when the Lone Star was on the back foot. This prompted a brief fuss from him and Dixon to the dislike of many.
Rating: 6.5

Theo Weeks Lewis: The Turkish Second Division club Goztepe player who reportedly flew from the United States where he was on holiday for the Senegal and then the Angola match served as the offensive playmaker. Though he shared such role to some extent with the tiny Zah, he showed commitment, made several runs, showed some fighting spirit and took on opponents. The former Mighty Barrolle man had a lively game to some extent as he also closed down opponents, but like most of his club mates was keen on passive possession with much sideway and back passes with little or no penetration or the incisiveness in providing the final ball. He surprisingly ran out of steam and had to make way. Rating: 7.5

Zah Krangar: The little box of tricks from Indonesian club Persipura was a handful to the opponents as his skills, deft touches and simple passing caused a lot for the Southern Africans. He also made some ambitious try towards goal and playing slightly behind the frontrunners, the lad had the freedom to attack. Though he was at times troubled by the towering visitors, his substitution was however eyebrow raising as he was someone who was at least trying to inject some magic for the team.
Rating:6.5

James Zortiah: The diminutive winger from Spain third tier outfit AD Villaviciosa de Odan was uninspiring, unlively and disappointing. He could not add anything special to the team's attack as he gave the ball away cheaply, showed unwillingness to make jinks and move in key positions. His close range passes were to little or no effect and failed to ignite anything positive that would have being ominous for the Angolans. His substitution in the dying amber of the first half should have even come earlier as he was completely sterile and out of touch.
Rating: 4.0

Francis Doe: In the first three minutes the Malaysian club Terranganu hit-man failed to put the Lone Star noses in front as he made the wrong judgment in front goal. Instead of pulling the trigger at first touch, he opted for glamour as he tried to draw ring round the opposing shot stopper which made him to be closed down and the resulting attack turned into a corner kick. He tried to use his aggression, power and pace as a yeoman in the opponents defense but was often outnumbered, and his efforts were often blocked by committed defenders. One ugly part of his game was the continuous frustration he showed and attempt to openly correct or direct teammates like how to give him a quality pass when the service to him was not good.
Rating: 6.5

Dioh Williams: Not much was seen from the lanky-curl legged front man from Sweden Allsvenskan side BK Hacken. He had the most begging of chances when he misapplied technique or failed to tee up strike partner Doe. After drifting wide momentarily, he latched onto a ball and with Doe hungry to pounce, the former Floda Boif man chose to score directly. But, instead of lobbing the ball over the seemingly squatting goalie, he wrongly decided to go flat, his ball was therefore parried for a corner.
Besides, his contribution was scanty as lack the movement, verve and precision upfront. In fact, it was too astonishing that he had to be kept on the park for the entire 90 minutes.
Rating: 5.5

Sekou Jabateh Oliseh: Having celebrated his birthday five days to the duel, the Russian Premier league club CSKA Moscow winger who came on for a poor Zortiah due to a lack of fitness where he sat on the bench for the first time for the red, white and blue, did not add anything special. His game was predictable as he was always keen on dribbling an opponent. He too did not get quality service on time and was not at his usual best.
Rating: 4.5

Anthony Laffor: Coming on for a rather promising Zah, the Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa winger injected pace into the team's attack. Snorti bundled an effort over the bar from close range, but the decision to allow him track all the way back in defending when the opponents rarely pull men forward in the dying moments was something too difficult to comprehend. He was a lifer though, but it was little too late as the visitors congregated in the defensive third.
Rating:5.0

Martin Kendu: Tactically, the LISCR FC balanced midfielder was not really needed. Coming on for a tired Theo Weeks Lewis, it was a like for like substitution as a holding midfielder came on for another holding midfielder. With just one striker on top for Angola with the rest of the team defending, there was no need for a holding midfielder, but an offensive midfielder as a means of piling the pressure on the opposition. Nonetheless, the lad nearly scored from a volley after a corner kick went in his path. His strong volley was disposition by the goalkeeper in the final minute.
Rating: 5.0