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Even during their warm-up routine it was apparent that GOLS' level of determination was on high.  The team in white also enjoyed a size, speed, and age advantage over their opponents in blue.  According to Curinga coach Frank Mazza however, this new Curinga team - although young, and sporting at least seven new players versus their '08 squad - had focused much of their training on discipline.
With the opening whistle GOLS's speed advantage was evident.  They moved the ball quickly through the midfield areas and up into their offensive zone, generating several shots on net before the fifteen minute mark.  Meanwhile Curinga, playing their first game of the season (GOLS was coming off a 4-4 draw with Croatia a week earlier) was slowly finding their feet.  On their first quality rush downfield however, #9 (Blue) was left alone in front of the GOLS net, and after receiving a fine crossing pass, easily converted to put his team up 1-nil at the 16 minute mark.  GOLS maintained good hustle subsequent to this however, and kept pressuring the Curinga defensive corps.  It wasn't until about the 22 minute mark when Curinga's playmaking started to materialize and some decent shots on net were generated.  Through the midsection of the first half the play was generally back and forth with few whistles, and featured GOLS raw speed and size advantage versus Curinga's rapidly developing ball control and playmaking and passing abilities.  At 40 minutes Curinga's speedy #20 came in on a fast break on the left side through GOLS defensive line and fired a shot accurately into the bottom right corner, putting the team in blue up 2-0 just before the half.
With the beginning of the second half GOLS came out with renewed determination, maintaining a strong will to win and the drive to score.  #21 (white) connected on a hard shot at the 47 minute mark and put his team on the board and back in the game.  After this it was Curinga who sustained pressure on the GOLS goal, with several fast breaks testing the GOLS keeper early in the second half - who indeed had appeared to also step up his game in this very young season.  At the 58 minute mark however, Curinga made it 3-1 as a fine cross put one of their strikers alone in front again, confidently walking the ball into the net to put his team up by two goals once more.  GOLS began to fight even harder after this point however, and Curinga retreated into a defensive posture, perhaps hoping to use up the clock.  After sustaining considerable pressure, GOLS connected again off a well-placed corner to make it 3-2 at the 70 minute mark.  Possibly realizing that their defensive approach was not as effective as they had hoped, Curinga again opened up their game and began to challenge GOLS defenders.  Some fine one-on-one contests ensued in the GOLS defensive zone, featuring displays of speed by players on both sides and more back and forth action.  No more scoring was to take place however, and the game would end with Curinga holding on to their 3-2 advantage in their first game of the new year.  JHS

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