The summer heat finally decided to show up on Saturday afternoon when the newly dubbed Burnaby Fury Rinos Div 2 team kicked off their 2011/2012 campaign with a 1-1 draw against IFC Polonia, away at the Burnaby Lakes Pitches (Wait, thought we were Burnaby Fury??). The last meeting between the two teams was in last years cup semi-final when Rinos came out on top with an exciting 5-4 PK win. It was a close battle then as was also the case in Saturdays match up.
There was a splash on new signings this summer after last years revenue from jersey and giant foam finger sales were at an all time high. Season ticket sales have also increased 200% from 1 to 3, so there were a few notables that are sure to bring something extra to the squad. Saturday saw Rinos debuts from summer league MVP starting keeper Will Langford, Dhiren Sarwal who failed to re-make his fake birth certificate rendering him ineligible for U21 signing, Francois Clark who woos women with his french accent only until they find out his last name, Rahmtin Faridian who may be challenging for this years fastest player, on loan Evan Jones who may have the worst email when applying to try out for a soccer team (lazy_man60@hotmail.com) and Gurjit (Gur) Hundal who was reportedly signed for half a watermelon and a conditional 43rd round draft pick in 2014. Teammates and Fans alike are excited to see what these guys have in store for the upcoming season.
Match Report
It was evident from the start that the heat was going to be playing a major factor throughout the game as most players were sweating and breathing hard only tying up their laces. With pre-match instructions to focus on possession in the early part of the game to wear out the other team, Rinos started strong with a few chances as the team was starting find each other, learn names and gel as unit. With a 4-4-1-1 formation, it was something new and looked like it was frustrating the opposition with more posssesion through the middle.
Rinos went up one in the 20th minute after a turnover in the middle of the park that resulted in a ball being played through to striker Ben Cougny on the left side of the 18-yard box. The lone striker dribbled inside the box and with his head up, played a square ball to a streaking Shawn Wilhelm who finished like someone in mid-season form, leaving the keeper helpless and defenders up in arms over how they could leave someone with that kind of quality unmarked in the box. The half continued with better, more consistent play and never looked content with sitting on a single goal lead. IFC Polonia had a couple chances but nothing to worry the Rinos keeper.
1-0 at half.
In the second, 3 of the 5 subs were made, bringing on Pritchard for Cougny, Clark for Wilhelm and Rahm for Matheson. Under the new Div 2 rules, there are no longer unlimited sub as Dealers typically don’t lose a couple of at a time. was allowed under the CAT rules. This proved a bit of a downfall for Rinos as Clark was injured 5 minutes into the half, which forced the Sub for Crowe. Shortly after the 5th and final sub Nolan was on for Gur, Rahm suffered a knee injury forcing him to play the final 35 minutes of the half at 50%. The bruised up Rinos battled on, but were lackluster as fatigue set in (on both sides) and the game paced slowed. The team looked content to hold onto the 1-0 lead, making few chances and if it wasn”t for the strong defensive performances from the back line, the game could of been tied up. The home side realized that open play was not going to be their way to even the game and looked to capitalize on some poor reffing decisions as it seemed every 50/50 call went their way. In the 80th minute, that was the case when a combination of cheatery, yelling and an AWFUL call by the referee led to a IFC Polonia penalty that was successfully converted. Some last minute heroics almost saved the 3 points when Rahm had the chance of a lifetime with an absolute sitter in the 90th minute that sailed over the bar. It was in the post match interview the he of course blamed the bum knee.
The Burnaby Fury Rinos will take what they can from a difficult first game and look forward to continuing their unbeaten run next Saturday September 17th, 4pm at Point Grey against Wickham FC “A”.