The Cardinal opened their regular-season campaign with a 7-0 victory over the Rainbow Warriors on Friday night in the NFL. It was a one-sided affair from start to finish, with the home side making no mistake when it mattered.
And here's the thing — it wasn't just about the scoreline. The Cardinal controlled the tempo from the opening whistle, using width and quick combinations to stretch the opposition. The Rainbow Warriors looked disjointed, particularly in midfield where they struggled to win second balls.
What caught my eye was the movement in the final third. The Cardinal's forwards were constantly shifting positions, pulling defenders out of shape. By then it was clear the Rainbow Warriors' defensive structure had no answer for that kind of movement. Three goals before half-time meant the visitors needed something extraordinary to get back into this.
The statistics tell their own story. The Cardinal dominated possession and created chances at will, while the Rainbow Warriors could only manage a handful of attempts from distance. Expected goals figures reflected the reality of the match — the home side had plenty of quality chances, the visitors had little.
It's a statement of intent from the Cardinal, and a harsh lesson for the Rainbow Warriors. Seven goals on the board with a clean sheet — that's the kind of performance that sets the tone for a season. The gap between these two sides wasn't just visible on the scoreboard.
