June 26, 2023...Analysis - Noah's Arc: Impressive Abatneh Delivers Big on First Nine Stripes Start (from York United FC website)
ANALYSIS - NOAH'S ARC: IMPRESSIVE ABATNEH DELIVERS BIG ON FIRST NINE STRIPES START The 18-year-old partnered Paris Gee at the heart of defence and was a standout. THE DETAILS NOAH ABATNEH EXHIBITS HUGE POTENTIAL The 18-year-old was handed his first start in the Canadian Premier League and he proved his mettle. Abatneh stepped in for the half-fit Roger Thompson and lasted 73 minutes after picking up an injury. Playing alongside Paris Gee in the centre back position, Abatneh - who was most recently with the Lazio academy - showed great composure with one block, three interceptions and three recoveries. He won all of his duels [5/5] and earned rave reviews from The Gaffer. "He's been here for a little bit of time and he's done really well in training. We've been trying to accelerate his learning process and he's taken everything on board and deserved a chance," Martin Nash said in his post-game press conference. "With Roger [Thompson] not being fully fit and with the schedule the way it is, we needed to see him live in action and I thought he did really well tonight. He stepped in and did a really good job and did everything we needed him to. I think it's great for him and great for us to see we've got another player that can do a job at centre-back." UNDONE BY ANOTHER LATE GOAL For the third successive match, The Nine Stripes conceded late and this latest one condemned them to a deserving-better 2-1 defeat at ATCO Field. Ali Musse bent his free-kick at the edge of the box over the ball to seal victory in the 83rd minute. Midfielder Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare concurs the team needs to do some work and stop this concerning trend. He said: ''We were all aware that we conceded some late goals in the last three games but we've had a bit of a bit of luck going our way in the games leading up to them. Now, teams are scoring goals at the end of games. And today, what can you say? It's a very, very nice free-kick and in the last game (against Halifax) it was a deflected shot. It happens but we've got to make sure that we look back at what we can do better and make sure we can finish a game a bit stronger maybe." MO BABOULI’S DEBIT AND CREDIT It was a bittersweet afternoon at Spruce Meadows for York United talisman and leading goal scorer Mo Babouli. The Syria international scored a fabulous goal - his fourth of the season - to draw the visitors even. But three minutes earlier, he collected a yellow card to tally four for the season: which means he is now suspended for his team’s next fixture away to Vancouver FC. Nash, admitting his playmaker will be sorely missed, said: "It's a massive loss. He's the leading goal scorer. I don't think it was a deserved yellow and there are a lot worse tackles in the game. But it is what it is. He'll miss the game but we have good quality players to come in and fill his role." LATE FLURRY AND PROUD IN DEFEAT After conceding the second goal with seven minutes left on the clock, York United mounted a search for the equalizer and forced some desperate defending from their hosts. They had 18 touches of the ball in the opponent area; six more than The Cavs. The Nine Stripes produced an xG factor of 1.06 which was superior to Cavalry’s 0.86 and shaded 51% ball possession. "I thought there were a lot of positives. I thought we created some good chances early and then I thought we got in some good areas," Nash said. "Second half, we were causing them problems but we weren't able to carve out a second. But to come here, edge possession, have as many shots and as many chances, I think that's something to take away. We came here and competed - in our third game in a week - so it hurts right now but we'll look at it with a clear head in the coming days and get ready for our next game." Ridwan Ibrahim Asanteback to 2023 York United FC menu
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