' MATCH REPORT: CITY 2-1 ATHLETIC CLUB '
Sat Aug 10, 2013 4:50 pm
Saturday 10th August 2013.
CARDIFF CITY 2 ATHLETIC 1
Whitts' and Campbell earn final pre-season win
Clinical Cardiff City completed their Premier League preparations with a 2-1 win over La Liga outfit Athletic Club at Cardiff City Stadium.
It was classy strikes from Peter Whittingham and Fraizer Campbell either side of half-time that did it, as City made the most of the chances that came their way. Whittingham's fantastic 20-yard volley just before the break giving the Bluebirds the lead despite a tough first period against the Lions.
City wasted no time in doubling their advantage after the break as Campbell raced clear of the Athletic Club's back line, confidently rounding Athletic Club 'keeper Gorka Iraizoz before slotting the ball home past the Lions' scrambling defence.
A starting place for Steven Caulker signaled his full debut for Cardiff City with midfielder Aron Gunnarsson also making a welcome return to the starting-11 as he continued his recuperation from a shoulder injury.
The visitors made most of the early running, an early shot from Benat, a recent signing from Real Betis, fired a warning shot for the Bluebirds with less than a minute gone as he curled his effort over the bar.
City responded with a lovely cross in from Bellamy just a minute later, but it was the La Liga outfit who were dominating the early possession. Benat who was at times controlling the midfield single handedly for the visitors saw his chipped effort only denied by the crossbar. Young Spanish star Muniain was next to threaten as he capitalised on some lapse defending at the back, his curling effort just wide of Marshall's far post.
Further chances came and went for the visitors as they lacked the clinical edge to put them ahead. And soon the Bluebirds were making them pay as half-time approached; Whittingham firing one of his special strikes into the bottom left hand corner of the net to give City the lead. The City playmaker making the most of a pinpoint pass from Campbell to find him on the edge of the area.
Half-time: Cardiff City 1-0 Athletic Club
There were no changes for either side at the break, but clearly buoyed by their late strike in the first-half City pushed for a second from the off; they had soon doubled their lead.
Campbell, who has looked sharp and lively all pre-season, raced clear of the Athletic Club defence leaving him one-on-one with 'keeper Iraizoz, rounding him with consummate ease before slotting the ball home into the bottom corner of the net to double City's advantage on 52 minutes.
An excellent bit of play by Campbell was equalled by the visitors four minutes later however as Athletic Club pulled one back; Iraola the scorer as he guided his volley at the far post past Marshall.
Don Cowie and Joe Mason came on for Aron Gunnarsson and Craig Bellamy just after the hour mark and despite the threat of a comeback from the visitors it was City who were still enjoying the majority of the play. Craig Noone replaced Tommy Smith with 79 minutes on the clock.
The pressure built on the Bluebirds lead as full-time approached, but a solid looking City remained firm at the back; Muniain coming the closest to bringing the Lions level late on, only to be denied by an excellent save by 'keeper Marshall.
The win made it three wins out of five for the Bluebirds in pre-season, with the Premier League opener against West Ham United at Upton Park on the 17th August now just one week away.
Full-time: Cardiff City 2-1 Athletic Club
Cardiff City: Marshall; Connolly, John, Kim, Caulker, Turner, Whittingham, Gunnarsson (Cowie 65), Campbell, Bellamy (Mason 65), Smith (Noone 79). Subs not used: Brayford, Lewis, Hudson, Conway.
Athletic Club: Iraizoz; Iraola, San Jose, Gurpegui, Saborit (Laporte 62); Iturraspe, Beñat, Susaeta (Ibai 76), Herrera (De Marcos 62), Muniain; Toquero (Sola 62). Subs not used: Iago, Ekiza, Moran.
Attendance: 10,381
CARDIFF CITY 2 ATHLETIC 1
Whitts' and Campbell earn final pre-season win
Clinical Cardiff City completed their Premier League preparations with a 2-1 win over La Liga outfit Athletic Club at Cardiff City Stadium.
It was classy strikes from Peter Whittingham and Fraizer Campbell either side of half-time that did it, as City made the most of the chances that came their way. Whittingham's fantastic 20-yard volley just before the break giving the Bluebirds the lead despite a tough first period against the Lions.
City wasted no time in doubling their advantage after the break as Campbell raced clear of the Athletic Club's back line, confidently rounding Athletic Club 'keeper Gorka Iraizoz before slotting the ball home past the Lions' scrambling defence.
A starting place for Steven Caulker signaled his full debut for Cardiff City with midfielder Aron Gunnarsson also making a welcome return to the starting-11 as he continued his recuperation from a shoulder injury.
The visitors made most of the early running, an early shot from Benat, a recent signing from Real Betis, fired a warning shot for the Bluebirds with less than a minute gone as he curled his effort over the bar.
City responded with a lovely cross in from Bellamy just a minute later, but it was the La Liga outfit who were dominating the early possession. Benat who was at times controlling the midfield single handedly for the visitors saw his chipped effort only denied by the crossbar. Young Spanish star Muniain was next to threaten as he capitalised on some lapse defending at the back, his curling effort just wide of Marshall's far post.
Further chances came and went for the visitors as they lacked the clinical edge to put them ahead. And soon the Bluebirds were making them pay as half-time approached; Whittingham firing one of his special strikes into the bottom left hand corner of the net to give City the lead. The City playmaker making the most of a pinpoint pass from Campbell to find him on the edge of the area.
Half-time: Cardiff City 1-0 Athletic Club
There were no changes for either side at the break, but clearly buoyed by their late strike in the first-half City pushed for a second from the off; they had soon doubled their lead.
Campbell, who has looked sharp and lively all pre-season, raced clear of the Athletic Club defence leaving him one-on-one with 'keeper Iraizoz, rounding him with consummate ease before slotting the ball home into the bottom corner of the net to double City's advantage on 52 minutes.
An excellent bit of play by Campbell was equalled by the visitors four minutes later however as Athletic Club pulled one back; Iraola the scorer as he guided his volley at the far post past Marshall.
Don Cowie and Joe Mason came on for Aron Gunnarsson and Craig Bellamy just after the hour mark and despite the threat of a comeback from the visitors it was City who were still enjoying the majority of the play. Craig Noone replaced Tommy Smith with 79 minutes on the clock.
The pressure built on the Bluebirds lead as full-time approached, but a solid looking City remained firm at the back; Muniain coming the closest to bringing the Lions level late on, only to be denied by an excellent save by 'keeper Marshall.
The win made it three wins out of five for the Bluebirds in pre-season, with the Premier League opener against West Ham United at Upton Park on the 17th August now just one week away.
Full-time: Cardiff City 2-1 Athletic Club
Cardiff City: Marshall; Connolly, John, Kim, Caulker, Turner, Whittingham, Gunnarsson (Cowie 65), Campbell, Bellamy (Mason 65), Smith (Noone 79). Subs not used: Brayford, Lewis, Hudson, Conway.
Athletic Club: Iraizoz; Iraola, San Jose, Gurpegui, Saborit (Laporte 62); Iturraspe, Beñat, Susaeta (Ibai 76), Herrera (De Marcos 62), Muniain; Toquero (Sola 62). Subs not used: Iago, Ekiza, Moran.
Attendance: 10,381
Re: MATCH REPORT: CITY 2-1 ATHLETIC CLUB
Sat Aug 10, 2013 4:55 pm
Before the game I was worried about the quality of the opposition but we certainly proved today our levels of consistency and because of that we won.
Re: MATCH REPORT: CITY 2-1 ATHLETIC CLUB
Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:10 pm
He Plays on the Wright wrote:Before the game I was worried about the quality of the opposition but we certainly proved today our levels of consistency and because of that we won.
What we saw today was this season's template for how we are going to survive the first season in the PL. We will have to go without the ball for long periods of time but when it comes our way it is up to Frazer Campbell as quickly as possible and we HAVE to make the most of the few opportunities which will come our way.
We did that perfectly today and apart from being distracted for a few seconds due to the injustice to Frazer Campbell we defended magnificently.
Re: ' MATCH REPORT: CITY 2-1 ATHLETIC CLUB '
Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:25 pm
Enjoyed the game today and overall I thought we deserved the win against a very good side.
Massively impressed by Caulker what a gem MM has signed there and also thought Declan John looks a real prospect and good to know we have back up to Andrew Taylor.
It may just be me but I thought Whitts was looking a lot leaner than at anytime since he has been at the club and what a lovely sight to see him arriving late on the edge of the box and scoring with a quality finish.
Championship standard player my arse.
Massively impressed by Caulker what a gem MM has signed there and also thought Declan John looks a real prospect and good to know we have back up to Andrew Taylor.
It may just be me but I thought Whitts was looking a lot leaner than at anytime since he has been at the club and what a lovely sight to see him arriving late on the edge of the box and scoring with a quality finish.
Championship standard player my arse.
Re: ' MATCH REPORT: CITY 2-1 ATHLETIC CLUB '
Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:35 pm
castleblue wrote:Enjoyed the game today and overall I thought we deserved the win against a very good side.
Massively impressed by Caulker what a gem MM has signed there and also thought Declan John looks a real prospect and good to know we have back up to Andrew Taylor.
It may just be me but I thought Whitts was looking a lot leaner than at anytime since he has been at the club and what a lovely sight to see him arriving late on the edge of the box and scoring with a quality finish.
Championship standard player my arse.
Agree with all that mate. The only weak link today for me was Smith in first half but he improved before he went off too. There goal was a cracker but shouldn't have counted as linesman flagged furiously for a foul on Campbell as he was about to make it 3-0 but ref overruled it, they broke away and scored..
Re: ' MATCH REPORT: CITY 2-1 ATHLETIC CLUB '
Sat Aug 10, 2013 6:15 pm
Imo bellamy was as weak as smith if not even more so
Cambell was by far the best on the pitch today
Big credit for whitts goal should go to stephen caulker he ran at least 10/15 yards to win an airiel challenge centre field and his header was the best pass by a city player all day he put cambell away who picked out whitts but without that previous header from caulker we would not have scored
Cambell was by far the best on the pitch today
Big credit for whitts goal should go to stephen caulker he ran at least 10/15 yards to win an airiel challenge centre field and his header was the best pass by a city player all day he put cambell away who picked out whitts but without that previous header from caulker we would not have scored
Re: ' MATCH REPORT: CITY 2-1 ATHLETIC CLUB '
Sun Aug 11, 2013 8:42 am
Im a bit more critical sorry. I think it will not work with Whitts and Kim Bo in the same
side. You cannot give so much possession away, we defended well but week in week out
against better opposition we will get hurt. We have to have another ball winner in midfield
and Medel can also pass it. Kimbo is a fantastic player and today underlined to me that
Campbell can score goals in the Premiership. Caulker and Turner were immense. But I
have concerns about young Declan, he was getting dragged all over the shop and i think
Turner should have been much more vocal.
side. You cannot give so much possession away, we defended well but week in week out
against better opposition we will get hurt. We have to have another ball winner in midfield
and Medel can also pass it. Kimbo is a fantastic player and today underlined to me that
Campbell can score goals in the Premiership. Caulker and Turner were immense. But I
have concerns about young Declan, he was getting dragged all over the shop and i think
Turner should have been much more vocal.