Hellenic United Athletic Club | Chicago, USA

In the second match of the season, HUAC Over-40s ended up with no marbles left in the bag after dominating a game they should have easily won in a waterlogged pitch at Windmere Park vs International SC.

Even a draw would have been an unfair result, as HUAC blew every chance to put away their back-peddling opponents - and when you add tough luck ( 2 shots on post ) to wasteful finishing,  it was  inevitable that a loss was forthcoming.

At last week's victorious season opener,  HUAC had  no problems creating clear goal scoring opportunities. This was not the case this week as the bad omens were there from the beginning. This time around, HUAC  lacked composure and clinical finishing in front of the goal and sent several chances missing.

Against the run of play, the wily seasoned Italians scored from their only real organized visit into HUAC's box in the 26th minute of the game after some slack marking in center midfield allowed one of their players to ghost in and score from close range.

After the shock of conceding a goal, HUAC intensified their attacks forcing a one-way traffic until  halftime. One of those chances came from Marcel de Bogert who usually dispatches his opportunities effortlessly from close range, as he missed a "sitter" after  his shot sailed over the bar with only the keeper to beat after a neat through pass from Kollias.

The second half began with the usual one-way traffic and with HUAC keeping the pressure on,  but it was no easy task braking down the double defensive barrier put up by International SC, a side mimicking those past stubborn "Catenaccio" style Italian National teams with their efficient, but also time-wasting tactics. All these things frustrated HUAC players who were running out of ideas on how to break International down. As a result,  HUAC resorted to direct style football that would find the goal that would bring them back in the game.

With ten minutes to go HUAC almost broke through but first a beautiful curling shot by debut boy, Alejandro Yanun was expertly tipped over by the Italian goalkeeper, and then in the dying minutes of the game a cheeky shot by Yiannis Kosmas came off the woodwork and into a surprised goalkeeper's relieved arms.

HUAC players were left distraught with the loss as the final whistle came but nobody could fault their effort and approach. All knew that if the team continues with these kind of performances the luck that deserted them today could not possibly be repeated.

There were a few standout performances today such as Andreas Kosmas who played his deep play making role with ease under difficult ground conditions. He was efficient with his passing and without neglecting his defensive duties as well.

New boy, Alejandro Yanun was a revelation with his direct running and clever dribbling which gave his opposing defenders fits but due to lack of match fitness his shooting was a bit off the mark. The Argentine will definitely help the team through the season.

Tom Bassias gets a mention for a second week in a row as he was a calming and influential presence at the back. Keeper Kostas Hatziaggelou dealt with assurance the few long range efforts that were thrown at him.

Special mention to Yiannis Kosmas who in the second 45 played as an emergency RB in the absence of the solid, Bill Javaras and offered a different option to the team with his overlapping runs.

Jeff Sammels presence was missed today as his constant running and hustle did not complement Andreas Kosmas' heroics.

Here is where the HUAC coaching team needs to address the issue as there seems to be plenty of clever, attack minded midfielders on the team ( Kollias, Fuchs etc ) but when it comes to the defensive posture of their game they seem to all fall a little flat and can get overrun by opponents.

Yellow cards to Yiannis Kosmas for dissent and Panagos Papageorgiou for entering the game without the ref's consent.

Next week's game is on Sunday , May 9th at 10:30AM at Olympic Park  vs Polish side FC Soccer Place.