Match Description
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 0 V 0 AFCB
1 August 2015
Attendance: TBC
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| AFCB players check out the pitch. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim tweeted picture. |
The Cherries' final pre-season match might not have been full of goals but they showed plenty of attacking ability against a top Bundesliga side. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim did not manage to force too many problems for AFCB up front but they were resolute in defence. AFCB came close to scoring a number of times with Matt Ritchie and Callum Wilson probably having the best chances but the goals will hopefully come in the next match. That leaves Junior Stanislas as the top goalscorer in pre-season.
Eddie Howe resorted two his familiar centre back pairing of Elphick and Cook for this match. It was also a last chance to impress for Adam Smith and Tyrone Mings in the back line, while Junior Stanislas and Dan Gosling were likely to be closely monitored as well as the performance of Josh King. Christian Atsu was not in the squad and so his fitness does not look like it is good enough yet with the back injury he sustain against Yeovil Town last week. Sadly there was no live blog, but there was live streaming of the game on Player. which revealed a threadbare pitch in some wider areas.
Teams
AFCB: Boruc, Smith, Elphick, Cook, Mings, Ritchie, Gosling, MacDonald, Stanislas, King, Wilson
AFCB Subs: Allsop, Muleba, Butcher, Costa, Wakefield, Green, Quigley
Hoffenheim: Baumann, Kaderabek, Schär, Rudy, Polanski, Schmid, Zuber, Uth, Kim, Süle, Volland.
Match Description
AFC Bournemouth start well with MacDonald gets an early shot in which is saved and King puts the follow up in the side netting. The first 10 minutes go by without much incident, but Josh King is lively as he gets into the box and is just prevented from testing Hoffenheim's keeper. MacDonald way playing well, winning the ball and beating three players before setting King on his way.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim were trying to get more into the game but they were not creating anything to trouble Boruc in the last third. Josh King's link up play with Wilson still looks like it is work in progress, but the two are looking to get their shots away. A better chance see Wilson break into the box but his effort is saved just before the half hour mark. There was not much goalmouth activity being tweeted and at the end of the half when Ritchie swung in a free kick Wilson's header was well saved. But the nearest effort came right on half time when Ritchie was inches away from turning in a cross from Josh King, so it remain 0-0 at half time.
Second Half
AFCB have had a great run of games where they have scored if we exclude the Nantes match, but it might take something special to break the deadlock here. MacDonald does his best with a header but the keeper is there and it's still 0-0 nine minute into the second half. A corner is AFCB's only reward.
Polanski has a rare foray in AFCB's half but shoots wide. Costa replaces Mings after 68 minutes. The Cherries shooting is not better though as top winger Ritchie also misses the target at the other end with 25 minutes to go. Adam Smith also has a dig from 25 yards but the keeper is down well. The feeling is that the Cherries are getting closer to gaining a lead. Wilson is the chief mischief maker but can't scramble the ball home. Smith is going well and not afraid to beat his man. Green and Wakefield are on for Wilson and King.
Matt Ritchie's tackling skills still might need some work. He's hauled down a Hoffenheim player just 25 yards out and Boruc might have some work to do after all today. AFCB fans can relax though as it's blasted over the bar. Junior Stanislas has done his afternoon's work and is replaced by Joe Quigley.
The game looks destined to be headed for a goalless draw. MacDonald now makes way for Matt Butcher as the younger players are given a few minutes playing in the marvellous stadium. Muleba also replaces Adam Smith. Time's up, AFCB draw 0-0 in their final pre-season fixture.
Official AFCB Tweets
01: Amazing noise from the #afcb fans in the opening minute as they chant towards Eddie Howe:
03: Early chance for #afcb as MacDonald sees his effort saved, before King hits the follow up into the side netting.
10: King bursts forward but a well-timed tackle as he arrives in the area prevents him getting a shot away.
18: @achtzehn99 play a free kick short, but the resultant shot takes a deflection and goes out of play
25: King flicks the ball on to Wilson, who is through but his touch is too heavy.
28: Wilson again races through but the 'keeper makes himself big and saves well.
44: Wilson heads on Ritchie's dangerous free-kick, but the 'keeper saves well.
45: Mings slips the ball to King & he flashes the ball across goal. Ritchie is agonisingly close to connecting
Half time: @achtzehn99 0-0 @afcbournemouth.
46: The second half is underway
54: Close! MacDonald heads Ritchie's perfectly placed cross straight at the 'keeper at the far post.
64: Polanski tries his luck from distance but his effort sails wide of Boruc's goal.
65: Ritchie then goes straight down the other end and drags a low shot wide. Still 0-0 here
68: Smith's left-footed effort from the edge of the area is well saved. It's an open, entertaining game here:
71: Wilson tries to weave his way through a congested penalty area, but his shot deflects behind for a corner
72: Wilson is in the thick of it again as he heads Ritchie's corner at the near post over the woodwork
80: Ritchie is adjudged to have fouled Amiri as he shot from the edge of the area and @achtzehn99 have a free kick:
81: The free kick sails comfortably over Boruc's goal. Still 0-0 as we enter the final 10 minutes:
82: Apologies, the substitution just prior to that saw Wilson and King replaced by Green and Wakefield for #afcb
84: Quigley replaces Stanislas in another #afcb change
Full time: @achtzehn99 0-0
