Lone Star Player Ratings Against Senegal

 

By Wleh Bedell
bedellblessing@yahoo.com
+2316106293

The Lone Star 3-1 loss to the Teranga Lions of Senegal marked a shaky start to the team in its drive to settle the Holy Grail of qualifying to the world Cup, a task connoisseurs see as being a very big ask. Though not part of the 78-man delegation to Dakar, but we managed to see the game on television and can bring forth how the players fared in the Lions Den are what are being delved into.

Nathaniel Sherman: The Senior national team custodian relatively had a good game except that he made a howler of substitute Dame N’doye’s ambitious belter which rotated the score line from 1-1 to 2-1. His penalty save from the legs of the clinical Papiss Demba Cisse was a major point in the match as his side maintained its slender lead at least for some period. The local league shot stopper was as well quick off his line and his distribution was as well appealing and was one reason the Lone Star did not loss by a more embarrassing margin.Rating: 8.5

Solomon Grimes: The pin-sized full back can be mainly remembered for his silly tackle on Dame Ndoye. This led to his side being reduced by a man as the Senegalese sprayed the passes and became ominous. Even before the worthless tackle, the Cypriot based defender lacked the aggression in moving forward and the gumption in containing opposing forwards. To make matter worse, he was caught ball watching for the leveler as he failed to latch onto the cross which went to the back post as an unmarked Ibrahim Balde scored the easiest of goals. Generally, his game was uninspiring and was a burden to his side. Rating: 4.5

George Gebro: The local scene returnee showed glimpses of stalwartness as he was a tough marker on the park. Though he caused the penalty that was eventually saved by his goalkeeper, his timing and reading of the game were a plus to his side except that as the game progressed, he was not mainly involved with offensive duties as he seemed to wear down. Rating: 6.0

Patrick Gerhardt: In his second match for country, the Bosnian based canter back was an element as he was no doubt the best performer of the back four. He had an almost blames game except that he stand accused for the equalizer as he failed to immediately execute a loping ball as he allowed it to bounce and was put under immediate pressure by a pouncing Papiss Demba Cisse. Apart from such erratic form, he proved his worth and has earned a place for the red, white and blue outfit. The rearguard made a salient clearance from a cross cum shot that could have being buried by a lurking striker.
Rating: 7.5

Jimmy Dixon: Not much was seen of the Turkish based sweeper since he had his central defensive partner Gerhardt clearing the pieces and making the major blocks. He was there to deal with the wastes and proved his aerial prowess on many occasions. His simple executing play was not really experienced or noticed by many, but the former Swedish based center back always ensured there was balance in the defensive third.
Rating: 5.5

Alseny Keita: The France based harder worker was one of those pulling the strings in midfield and was more of a member of the double pivot in containing the opposition order than rampaging forward. His work ethic was a major help to his side, and though in the latter stages he ran out of steam due to the huge work load against a positive minded Senegalese side, he stood as a key member of his side. Rating: 6.0

Theo Lewis Weeks: Another member of the balanced midfield duo, who worked, toiled, engaged in niggling and ferocious tackles in an attempt to help his team avoid defeat. His work rate too in the middle of the park was outstanding and the huge burden too in terms of work made him to perspire, and seemingly switched off at some spell.
Rating: 6.5

Anthony Laffor: The under pressure captain had an attempt on goal after being tee up by a team mate. His crosses were not rewarding, but his recovery runs helped his team a whole lot. His willingness to track back to the defensive third and as well his ability to put opponents under pressure whenever he conceded possession was a good side of his game. But, his inability to make in-roads by bursting the game in taking on opponents with elegance was a bad side of his game as he did not make things happen frequently down the channel. Nonetheless, since the team was a man down and taking into account the man from South Africa ability to join the rest of the team in defensive duties his substitution was questionable. Rating: 5.5

Dioh Williams: Being misplaced in the wide area order than his preferred center forward role, the curl legged assassin from the Allsvenskan did not put up a virtuoso form by his standards. He had to run down regularly to keep rein on an advancing opponent which made him run out of steam and ideas and had to be substituted. But, long before then, he orchestrated the goal as he tee up Francis Doe in the sumptuous of manner with a delicious through ball that would later evade a lethargic center back that was hapless on the grass. He had what can be described as a half chance which came as a result of a three-man combination, a cheeky back heel to a darting runner Zah Krangar who released the man from Sweden. Struggling for balance, he opted to pull the trigger instead of returning the favor to Zah. In the end, it was a comfortable catch for the lions’ gloves man. Rating: 5.5

Patrick Wleh: It was quite a shambolic performance from the towering Malaysian based forward. He took long to make his first contact with the ball, conceded possession quite often and lacked the desire, aggression and tormenting prowess upfront. The “Liberian Ronaldinho” failed to pick the pockets of the opponents back four and was completely sterile. He got injured in the first half and had to be substituted, but his exit was more of a plus to his side than a minus. Rating: 4.0

Francis Doe: The Malaysian based attacker was very effective during the melee. His gifted finishing which was the curtain raiser was taken in the coolest of fashion as he latched unto a defense splitting pass. He could have made it two, but his less favored left foot could not put venom in a ball that went sailing in the hands of the opposing keeper as a routine catch. His runs were intelligent, skills mesmerizing, moves subtle and passes accurate. The Christmas day born striker completed a host of passes and caused several corners. He also linked up Zah for what should have being a 2-2 score line, but was wasted. Grandpa was no doubt the face of the attack from a Lone Star perspective and had a fantastic game. Rating: 8.0

Zah Krangar: The diminutive forward from Indonesia could have got his second international goal and perhaps the goal that might have ended the match 2-2 had he buried a Doe’s cleverly measured pass. But, from close range his effort ricocheted on the bar with the resulting goal kick switched into a deadly attack and then a goal. He was more offensive than defensive which was quite a problem to the team. Rating: 5.0

Solomon Wesseh: The Oilers versatile defender was quite an ordinary performer as the Senegalese ran riot. He rarely won tackles and his presence was not really felt. Coming on to fill the void left by Grimes due to the red card, the defender could not rescue the situation for his side. Rating: 4.0

Marcus Macauley: The opponents had the game in their reach to some extent before the introduction of the LISCR playmaker. He was mainly involved with providing helping hand on the wings were the opponents were making gains. Rating: 4.0