KUSINI YENGI !!!

I managed to watch both Australian games against Lebanon (on the tele). The first was on Friday when Australia won 2-0.
Yengi started both games and was substituted in both at about the sixty minute mark. Also in both games he was paired with another striker.
In the first game Yengi asserted himself in typical fashion and , whilst not scoring, gave the defence something to think about. He was substituted along with the other striker. The pairing that replaced him made less of an impression.
In the second game he started paired with a different striker and made an almost immediate impression opening the scoring in the 3nd minute..The goal was a tap in but never-the-less a good strikers goal - right time - right place!
After scoring he had a fairly quite game. It has to be said that Lebanon were moderate opposition.
So Yengi,s two sixty minute outings should keep him match fit for Friday jet lag permitting.
On the other hand Bishop has had a deserved two week rest.
Another tough decision for the manager!!

 

Blimey. When was the last time a Portsmouth player scored an international goal? Congratulations to him.

 

Yengi's international career extends his goal scoring vein.

Recently Australia beat Pakistan 2-0. Yengi was the only Australian on the score sheet the first goal being an own goal. In the second half he took a very good headed goal. Although unchallenged by defenders, he had to jump high to meet the cross and put a very well directed header past the keeper. It was his last touch since he was then immediately substituted. Prior to his goal he had a quiet game largely because the Australian's crosses into the box were poorly directed.

Last night he started in a 5-0 win against Palestine. His first opportunity was an early penalty. Immediately the decision was made he picked up the ball leaving no doubt that he was going to take the spot kick. He took it well. The keeper went the right way but still could not get to the well placed and powerfully struck kick.

Later in the half he scored the third goal which he took with some aplomb. He received a pass in the area and he could have shot first time but controlled the ball, skillfully avoided a tackle and placed the ball past the keeper - much less speculative than a first time shot would have been.

In the second half he managed to control the ball and turn mid way into the opposition's half, used his speed to leave a defender in his wake, and made a well judged pass to set up a fellow striker. The striker chose to pass to a further attacker who was better placed which technically robbed Yengi of the assist but he could claim to have made the resulting goal.
Yengi's overall involvement in play was not high. if strikers get too involved they run out of position, but I do think that his input was somewhat low and this is where Bishop will continue to have the edge on him when it comes to Pompey's first team selection.

It must also be remembered that, despite being international games, the opposition was weak.

However, you can only play what is in front of you and his international goal scoring should boost the sort of confidence that strikers thrive on.

PUP

 

Australia played two games in the international break. one against Saudi Arabia and one against Bahrain
In the Saudi game Yengi came on as a late substitute and had little chance to influence the game. In the second game he was in the starting eleven and scored after 37 seconds!
He latched onto a poor back pass, rounded the keeper and scored. A good opportunist goal well taken. Australia remained in the lead until almost 80 minutes when Bahrain scored twice in two minutes. Between scoring and Bahrain's reply Yengi had three reasonable chances. The first was in the first half when he was a little slow to get his shot off and it was blocked.
The second attempt he tried to chest the ball in and was a little unlucky to see it come back off the woodwork.
The third saw a good ball pulled back to him towards the back of the box and his first touch was poor and he failed to get a shot off.
Well into injury time Yengi scored an equalizer!! Right place at the right time. he also had involvement in the build up play to the goal.
So two goals from five chances which is not a bad return for a striker. He also held the ball up well on a few occasions although his opportunities were limited in this regard since Australia rarely played long balls forward.
Yangi has now scored as many times for Australia as he has had starts!
Lets hope this builds his confidence for the Championship.
We need Bishop and Yengi challenging each other for the striker position as per last season!!