SIFL 2014-15 Roundup - Game Week 28

By THAT'S, May 28, 2015

On May 23, 2015, in round 28, Hstone HFC (above) got promoted to the Premier League of the Shanghai International Football League by securing second spot in the First Division. In the Premier League, Shanghai Puxi Lions FC beat Long Tang AFC. Shanghai ReUnited victorious over Big Bamboo Shanghai Shooters AFC. FC Oranje and Azzurri FC draw. In the First Division, Shanghai Krauts FC thump Shanghai Cosmos. Shanghai United discard Kangbei United FC. Shanghai 3United beat Voodoo and stalemate in the Anzacs FC (below) versus Shanghai Vikings FC fixture. Eight fixtures bagged 30 goals.

In the Premier League, the Shanghai Puxi Lions FC did battle with Long Tang AFC. Long Tang fielded the strongest possible squad for the occasion to face league leaders Lions. Long Tang still had a chance to move away from the basement providing their last two fixtures were won. The first half was hard for the Lions as they hit the cross bar and the post and created several bankable chances but without finding the net. It looked liked the Lions were running out of luck. Even more so when Patrick Lapon (below) was sidelined after a reckless tackle. A scan in the hospital showed his fibula (lower leg bone) snapped in two. A lot of misfortune for a guy that put in a lot of work and effort to help get the Lions another crown. We wish him a speedy recovery

A serious halftime talk was what followed (above) as the Lions knew they had to win this game to stay clear on top of the league. The bottom line was that all players had to step up their game and work and fight harder. With Benjamin Guerin as assistant coach (right below with Big John) they did just that and everybody was fighting to get the goal. It finally came from an Azzeddine Takouloufa cross which found Daniel Isaacs and he and the entire Lions squad were relieved to see his effort flying in the goal taking a 1-0 lead. In the final phase of the match the Lions defense had to step up their effort as Long Tang gave it a final push. Long Tang created the last opportunity of the game when they were awarded a free kick at the death that landed on the cross bar. The Lions held on to their narrow lead and the match ended 1-0 after 90 minutes of football.

Azzeddine Takouloufa was voted man of the match. With two games to play the Lions are on target to secure their third consecutive Premier League championship. ReUnited are hot on their trail though and with one remaining fixture between the two the league is nearing its climax.

Shanghai ReUnited locked horns with the Big Bamboo Shanghai Shooters AFC. It was the fourth encounter between the two teams. Theoretically the Shooters could still win the league and for that a victory was needed. For ReUnited a win would secure second spot and keep pressure on league leaders Lions. ReUnited controlled most of the action in midfield and created several chances. The Shooters were dangerous mostly through set pieces and long balls trying to reach their strikers. Then, some luck for ReUnited when one of their players was initially red carded for a handball in the box but later it was ruled unintentional and a yellow card was shown instead. Shooters’ red-hot Chile twins Rodolfo and Alejandro Kamke (below) were in fine form and were a constant menace for ReUnited.

A moment later, ReUnited’s attack yielded when Lucas Chagas Marques da Silva dribbled into the box, passed two defenders then put the ball into the net at the far post taking a 1-0 ReUnited lead. The Shooters created a chance from a corner but ReUnited keeper Cody Ahlstrom saved it for a 1-0 score line at halftime.

In the second half, the Shooters started strongly and pressed for the equalizer, however ReUnited’s midfield stopped most of their attacks early on as they managed to hold on to their lead. In the 75^th minute ReUnited doubled their lead when Steve Ishemezwe dribbled in the box then shot an impossible goal in the roof of the net from a tight angle for 2-0. This was the decisive moment in the match and seemed to break all Shooter resistance. Just a few minutes later, Ishemezwe scored his second of the day when he got another one past the keeper for a final 3-0 score line. Steve Ishemezwe received man of the match honors. With this victory Commandant Herr Flick was in a jubilant mood: “Berlin shall be pleased and ze French be warned: ve vill fight for victory until ze last minute!”

FC Oranje slugged it out with Azzurri FC. For the Dutch lingering on 5th spot it was one of the last chances to try and conquer points from one of the top four teams. For Azzurri it was still possible to grab the championship providing they would win this fixture. Azzurri put pressure on the Dutch defense straight from the kick off and most of the play took place in the orange half. Azzurri’s Kercio Chuang had a great chance but his shot at the edge of the box went wide. (#10 below with Max Schuppert on the left)

Nonetheless Azzurri found it hard to find an opening in the tight Dutch box. Oranje created several chances as well combining through the middle but the end pass was lacking. Azzurri’s domination got rewarded just before halftime when Alejandro Felipe (left below) beat the offside trap on the right and rushed towards goal where he beat the onrushing keeper and put the ball away for a 0-1 Azzurri lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Dutch got into the match a bit better and most of the play took place in the middle. Azzurri increased pressure with one touch play but the Dutch defensive lines stood well and most of Azzurri’s play stranded at the edge of the box. They did manage to create several good chances but keeper Harm van Kemenade saved them all. Frustration crept into play and a flurry of cards were dished out, nine in total. Then, with 15mins to play from a quick counter through the middle, Marijn ten Wolde got the ball on the right, made a rush from the midfield to the back line then crossed the ball to the far post where Tom Jansen (above right) headed it home evening out the score at 1-1. Azzurri kept pressing for the winner but the momentum switched sides and the Dutch almost nailed it at the other end at the death. Tom Jansen connected well from a cross over the left and seemingly slid the ball home from close range but Azzurri Keeper Alex Dai Zhao miraculously saved it.

One all it ended with Azzurri keeper Alex Dai Zhao receiving man of the match honors as did Jose Martinez of FC Oranje. The boys in orange were in a buoyant mood and went on to Zapata’s to celebrate their hard fought point in style. Oranjeboom (above) was there and witnessed it all. It was a good sending off for Max Schuppert from Twente who played his last match for the mighty Oranje. Good luck in your travels mate and thanks for all those wonderful Kodak moments. (such as leaving the kit in a taxi-ed)

In the First Division, Voodoo Child (above) crossed swords with Hstone HFC. A win would secure second spot for HFC allowing Premier League promotion. As a gesture of appreciation for his services and as a leaving present to him, the VC allowed Anntwat the honor of managing the team for the penultimate match of the season. The Frenchman wasted no time in dropping Jules Monkhead from defense and straight into the center of midfield. Liam was also asked to play in the middle where he could not have time to pose ineffectively on the ball like he can out wide. Bruce Foxton was relegated to the bench and a major surprise was when Anntwat selected himself ahead of a garden gnome despite a very indifferent performance the week before. His tactics and reshuffle was not helped by club legend Dicko hurting himself gardening just before the game and declaring himself unavailable for selection. The shock tactics seemed to have worked when Joe Constanty gave the VC a deserved 1-0 lead. VC were looking comfortable with their lead until just before halftime when HFC got a corner. The corner got converted by Xiaogang Xu who worked the ball over the line for a 1-1 score at halftime.

In the second half, HFC kept attacking and their pressure would soon yield. Ten minutes into the half HFC’s captain Guobin Xu got the ball surrounded by three VC players but he still managed to play a through ball to the unmarked Jie Gu in the penalty box. With a low drive Jie Gu shot the ball in the net for 1-2. VC did not give up and had several dangerous attacks. It was a closely fought and intense contest until the 75^th minute. Then, HFC were awarded a free kick on VC’s half. A long cross into the penalty area reached Yinjie Sun who’s effort hit the post. The rebound fell prey to Huang Feng who headed it in the net taking a 1-3 HFC lead. The goal put the game to bed and effectively ended the contest as HFC held on to their lead. HFC’s captain Guobin Xu received man of the match honors. With this victory Hstone HFC will play the upcoming jubilee season in the Premier League with still one match to play. Well done boys, congratulations and good luck in the Premier League! HFC’s hero goal scorers below.

Shanghai Cosmos negotiated the Shanghai Krauts FC. Cosmos sensed opportunity after the Krauts got whooped last game. The champs on the other hand had none of that. They just regrouped and got on with it. Cosmos kept them at bay somewhat in the first half but the Germans still managed to put one past the keeper for a 0-1 lead at halftime. In the second half, the squad marched on and created several opportunities. Most of the chances that fell to them were converted into goals. They could have gotten more but their offensive actions left them a bit exposed as well. Cosmos took advantage of that and expanded deep into German territory. Tom Morley was at the end of two cosmic attacks and worked the ball in the net twice. Nonetheless, when the match was over the Krauts were victorious with a 2-5 score line. Krauts legend Stanislav Korchazhinkii scored twice, Christoph Harmeyer, Mirko Franco and William Walker netted one each. William Walker received man of the match honors.

The Anzacs FC did battle with the Shanghai Vikings FC. It was the last fixture for the Anzacs this season while the Vikings still had two to go. The Vikings created and wasted two huge chances when their players broke through on goal. The Anzacs bode a welcome return for none other than Pat “the Hat” Tang, who quickly relieved Charlie to be their twelfth goalkeeper of the season. Anzacs’ pressure in the opening phase of the match finally paid off, as they worked the ball up the right-hand side, the ball was pulled back, and Shopping (Carl Schopp #26) span to fire into the corner from 15 yards taking a 1-0 Anzacs lead. The Vikings did something back shortly after that when Jiye Fan converted from the penalty spot (below) for 1-1, which was also the halftime score.

In the second half, the Anzacs were still hopeful of getting a result, and maintained the upper hand early in the half. They had a couple of shots from distance, and Schopp had one effort chalked off for offside. The closest came when Johnny Warburton connected with a corner but could only find the side-netting. The Vikings controlled the later part of the half but that didn’t yield any clear-cut chances. In the last ten minutes the Vikings laid siege to the Anzacs goal but the Anzacs keeper ‘Pat the Hat’ had three very impressive saves that kept the Vikings from scoring a second goal. At the other end, the Anzacs had a great chance from a distance shot that required keeper and Vikings legend John Poulsen a full body save. The game ended in a 1-1 stalemate with both teams sharing the spoils. Pat Tang received man of the match honors for the Anzacs while Claus Boje received these honors for the Vikings.

With this result the Anzacs finished at eighth spot in the standings. It’s a good result and they can be proud of the way they played this season. They won five matches, tied two, did not have any heavy defeats and competed hard every week. Ian Mote: “We wish to thank all of those who played their last league game for the Anzacs; Chris Lloyd, Nick Kintzley, Johnny Warburton and Charlie Uddin – we wish you all well.” Meanwhile outside of the game, some were all dressed up for the BritCham Ball. Spot the resemblance!

Kangbei United FC lined up to play Shanghai United. In a game that felt very much like the last of the season, United found some momentum to cement their position in mid-table mediocrity. Kangbei passed the ball nicely at the back but were unable to create many threatening attacks. United’s Andrey Kravchenko finally returned to goal scoring form, looking sharp and scoring three well-worked goals.

United's goalkeeper turned wonder-striker Igor Tsudin scored yet again, as did Alexey Ivannikov and Daniyar Dumanuly (below). United's dominance lasted until the final 15 minutes, when slackness at the back allowing Kangbei to slot in three quick consolation goals for a final score of Kangbei 3, United 6. Hattrick boy Andrey Kravchenko received man of the match honors. Kangbei’s goals were scored by: Xiwei Wang, Peixin Wang and Yibin Fu.

Voodoo were scheduled to play Shanghai 3United. For the second week in a row Voodoo were down to threadbare squad but this week their luck ran out in spectacular fashion! Against the Anzacs the week before Voodoo scored with one of their few attacks and managed to defend resolutely throughout the game. The feat would not be repeated against 3United. After 20mins Calvin Sun scored an own goal to gift 3U a 0-1 lead. Shortly before halftime a 3U defender handled the ball on the line and the referee awarded a penalty. Brian Doyle then struck the penalty but it was saved by the keeper and 0-1 to 3United it stayed until halftime. With Voodoo chasing the game in the second half, there were several one on one’s with the keeper for 3United but they couldn’t score the second goal. They needn’t have worried as Fabien LeBourcq stepped up with two minutes remaining to smash home an unstoppable shot into his own goal for a 0-2 3United lead confounding Voodoo’s misery: two own goals and a missed penalty; beat that!!