Totaalvoetbal manager Robin Meeblind took a gamble yesterday and saw it pay off as his side moved back to within one point of top spot in the RM Invitational.
Having slipped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at a surging Santos, Meeblind knew his side could not afford anymore blips.
The Santos game proved a tough encounter but it would be the home side’s more attacking style which would ultimately win the day. Pushing Totaal back late in the game they forced a crucial error out of Jaap Cruz which resulted in an own goal and three points going to the Brazilians.
Forward to yesterday afternoon and a crucial day in the title race. Meeblind would normally have his side focused on the task at hand but instead sat his Dutch troops down to watch the Oranje in action against Brazil.
“It seemed to have the desired effect,” offered Meeblind.
“They were relaxed and buzzing going into the game following The Netherlands’ victory.”
Indeed, Totaal rocked the Madrid woodwork twice in the early stages and although they lost Bosse Bong to injury they always looked the likelier winners.
So it was that Totaal legend Pierre van Diemen opened the scoring with a clinical strike in the area on 68 minutes and when Antonello Ballarin delivered a trademark free-kick just four minutes later the points were secured.
However, Totaal and Meeblind will know there is little margin for error with another four sides competing hard in a compelling title race.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment