Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the fine tuning is not that fine. Or maybe it’s that the “Dudu as lone striker” idea wasn’t such a good idea.
Saturday’s game at Air Force Avia’s Thupathemi stadium was frustrating for the squad to play in and uncomfortable for fans to watch.
Phuket FC managed precisely three attempts on goal during the entire first half, and Air Force goalkeeper Samuel Cunningham got bored after half an hour in which no plays from Phuket came anywhere near the home side’s penalty area.
Phuket’s midfield were unable to retain possession of the ball; they seemed to get only one touch before the ever-present Air Force players stole it right from their feet.
Air Force’s pressing game worked so well that no one even had a chance to pass the ball to Dudu, and the Brazilian striker was forced to come deep for the ball and could never move forward.
In order for your lone striker to strike, he has to get the ball. And in order to get that ball, he has to have teammates who can pass it to him. But in this game Phuket FC failed at both.
Maybe it’s time for Phuket’s Coach Tuu to rethink his strategy: Does he want to depend entirely on Dudu’s star skills, or will he try and play like Liverpool FC without Luis Suarez: with less dependence on a single star, and more like a team.
The Phuket News is the official media partner for Phuket FC.