Match Report: Cambridge University Men’s I vs Oxford University Men’s
26/03/2024
By Lucy Williams, James Hyde, and Andreas Velimachitis
Photo Credits: Andreas Velimachitis
How it happened, Minute by Minute
By Lucy Williams
At risk of using a football cliché, the men’s Varsity match was certainly a game of two halves. Oxford started the match clearly the dominant side, with their physically bigger team managing to outmanoeuvre and outrun the Cambridge players. It only took 2 minutes for the Dark Blues to go one up after a Noah Fletcher cross was converted by Joey Dalton, following a mistake from Cambridge’s goalkeeper, Aram Sarkissian. In attempting to defend the goal from Oxford’s attack, Sarkissian sustained a head injury yet, despite fears of concussion, the first choice keeper decided to play on.
Oxford continued to play with both speed and physicality, searching for a second goal. Brian Kot was a constant source of frustration for the Cambridge defenders and, in the 7th minute drove the ball into the box, forcing a Cambridge defender to send it out for a corner. Tom Deighton’s delivery looked dangerous but Sarkissian restored confidence in his goalkeeping abilities as he managed to parry Deighton’s cross away from the Cambridge goal.
Despite Oxford’s dominance, the Cambridge side were not afraid to drive forward and had a good chance in the 13th minute as the Oxford goalkeeper - Harry Way - was forced to tip a Cambridge shot over the post. Kit Angel-Scott also posed a threat to the Oxford defence as he found space in the box and got a good shot off in the 19th minute which was heading goalward before it was blocked by an Oxford defender.
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A teasing Cambridge corner ball tests the Oxford defence (Photo Credits: Andreas Velimachitis)
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Oxford struggled to turn their chances into real goal scoring opportunities as the Cambridge defence were able to effectively shut down Oxford runs. For example, the potential sting that could have followed a threatening looking run from Kot was nullified as he was dispossessed following a skillful tackle by Cambridge’s number 2, Makafui Avevor, in the 30th minute.
Cambridge had a number of set piece opportunities in the final ten minutes, but did not manage to take anything from them as Cambridge players struggled to find themselves in space. A good delivery from a free kick was wasted after it was met by no light blue shirts. This was followed by a corner which saw Deniz Ozer manage to get a shot off, but an overcrowded box prevented the ball from finding the goal.
Cambridge were lucky to avoid conceding a second in the third minute of added time after a messy clearance allowed Noah Fletcher to cross a dangerous looking ball into the box. Cambridge managed to clear it, but Sarkissian was once again called into action as he was forced to parry a Kot ball away from the Cambridge goal just before halftime.
However, Cambridge restored the enthusiasm in a slightly subdued home crowd after two crowd-pleasing halftime substitutions. Sarkissian was replaced by Moritz Przybilla following the injury he had sustained in the first half. Przybilla certainly walked onto the pitch exuding confidence, deciding to do a few pullups on the goal before the starting whistle blew, much to the home fans' amusement. Cai La Trobe-Roberts also came on, replacing Angel-Scott. La Trobe-Roberts was met with rapturous applause from the home fans as they saw their Captain return after a long injury.
La Trobe-Roberts had an immediate impact, as he crossed the ball to Ozer whose shot went just over the bar. Unlucky for Cambridge, but a great chance which reignited the fire in the side. Ozer quickly had yet another chance as he drove up the left hand side, his shot going just past the face of the goal. Cambridge were looking far stronger, and posed a genuine threat to the Dark Blues. Cambridge deserved a goal, and it looked like one was coming.
Cambridge’s efforts were finally rewarded in the 73rd minute. The ball fell to La Trobe-Roberts, who was given time in the box and skillfully fired one into the goal. What a comeback for the Cambridge Captain who had been sidelined for much of the season!
Both sides saw chances in the closing minutes of the game. Neat interplay between Mehmood, La Trobe Roberts, and Ozer allowed the number 10 - who had been strong all game - to take a shot from outside of the box. However, he was to be denied by a great save from Way. Similarly, Przybilla was forced into a save in the 89th minute. However, despite both sides threatening to score, the game ended one all and, therefore, had to be settled on penalties.
The 22 look on in suspense as the penalty shoot-out takes place (Photo Credits: Andreas Velimachitis)
Oxford were up first, and Tom Deighton slotted one into the bottom left corner. Next up was Cambridge’s Ozer - a first year - whose attempt was saved. Oxford’s Noah Fletcher fired one into the top right corner, putting even more pressure on the Light Blues. Cambridge sent yet another brave first year to the spot but Mehmood’s attempt was saved by the Oxford keeper. The fire was kept alive, nonetheless, by Przybilla’s denial of the next Oxford penalty. However, Cambridge’s next penalty was sent wide meaning an Oxford goal would secure a Dark Blue victory. Oxford’s Evans-Hutchison’s well-taken penalty won them the match. It was a game that could have gone either way, but Cambridge will nonetheless feel disappointed losing in such fashion after such a strong second half performance, but that is football.
How it Unfolded, Tactically
By James Hyde and Andreas Velimachitis
From the outset, Oxford’s approach seemed clear. Making the most of the many postgraduates in their squad, Oxford’s plan was to use their physicality to win 50/50s and brute-force their way forward. The first half saw Oxford dominate the midfield battle, partly due to their overwhelming physicality and a couple of early 3 vs 2 overloads. This meant Cambridge struggled to progress the ball through the thirds, leaving little threat for the Oxford goalkeeper in the first half.
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It became quickly apparent that Cambridge’s attacking plan, on the other hand, was to look incessantly for direct play, looking to play forward at every opportunity. In hindsight, Cambridge should have prioritised control through possession, an approach which they implemented in the second half and which ultimately paid off.
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However, It must be said that despite Oxford’s ability to restrict Cambridge’s ball progression, they were unable to create a flurry of attacks. After the early goal, Oxford struggled to make the necessary combinations or win the one on one battles in wide areas to create regular goal scoring opportunities.This is partly down to the excellent one on one ability of the Cambridge right back, who displaying brilliant reading of the game and pace to keep the incredibly skilful Oxford number 16 relatively quiet. As the half progressed, Cambridge became more confident, and the signs of a reversal of momentum started appearing, with Cambridge Number 10 proving dangerous every time he could isolate the Oxford full back.
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In the second half Cambridge kept much better care of the ball with greater control in build up play. Working through the full backs and through balls through the midfield lines, Cambridge found left winger Deniz and attacking midfielder Mahmoud in the left half space. These two combined regularly, helped by the excellent overlapping runs of left back Tristan Martin, finding spaces for shots and crosses which eventually led to captain Kai’s goal.
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After Kai’s goal, Cambridge found it harder to find these two and make the dangerous combinations, instead being drawn into the scrappy midfield battles, in a return to the kind of play that characterised the first half.
For the last part of the game, Oxford played more conservative, and sought to see the game out. Some Cambridge chances were blocked out, and Oxford, perhaps assuming higher composure from their on-average older players, looked to win the game on penalties; an astute choice, as that was indeed the only way that they were able to best Cambridge. Nonetheless, it was a tactically well-fought game from both sides, but it will arguably be Cambridge that will be disappointed the most.