By Tom Bus
On May 30, 2015, in round 29 of the Shanghai International Football League, Shanghai 3United (above) win SIFL Plate by beating Shanghai Vikings FC 2-1 in the final. In the Premier League, Shanghai ReUnited victorious over Azzurri FC. Big Bamboo Shanghai Shooters AFC dispose of FC Oranje. Shanghai Puxi Lions FC edge out Long Tang AFC. In the First Division derby between Voodoo and Voodoo Child ends in 1-1 stalemate. In five fixtures 19 goals were scored.
Shanghai 3United and the Shanghai Vikings FC locked horns in the SIFL Plate Cup final. Both teams climbed to second place on the table early on in the season but were unable to hold their position towards the end. The Plate Cup final was a chance for redemption and take home silverware. As in earlier contests, the match started with both teams on form giving full effort from the first whistle. Possession was split evenly for the first 15mins with both teams pushing into each others halves but without creating many chances. But then 3United stepped up to the plate and found excellent form dominating the rest of the half with six shots on goal. But, the Vikings have legendary keeper Borys Priadko (below) and he made some spectacular saves and a 0-0 score line was what showed after 45mins of football.
The second half continued where the first half left off. Finally, in the 65th minute the first goal was scored. 3United's Joe Williams received the ball at midfield and charged down the left side beating two defenders then placed a dangerous ball across the keeper box to the 3U strike force. But before it could be attacked, a Viking stuck his foot out and kicked the ball into his own net giving 3United a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, Edouard Simmonet received the ball in the box and buried a finesse goal into the right side of the net to double 3U’s lead to 2-0 lead. It looked like easy sailing for 3U but the Vikings fought back and in the 80th minute were awarded a penalty from a foul by keeper Matthias Kuck.
Lasse Møller stepped up, converted the ensuing spot kick and made up for his unfortunate own goal. Suddenly the Vikings got a goal back at 2-1 and were back in the game. With 10mins on the clock they gave it a final push to avoid Valhalla but 3United were able to solidify their defense and maintained their lead until the final whistle. 3United’s Edouard Simmonet picked up man of the match honors. With this victory 3United won their first ever SIFL trophy. Congratulations guys, well done!
In the Premier League, Shanghai ReUnited crossed swords with Azzurri FC. Fueled by their solid 3-0 win against the Shooters the week before ReUnited were filled with motivation for Saturday’s league game versus Azzurri and victory was their only goal that day. The game started with mostly midfield action. ReUnited wear able to play some attacks but without many clear-cut chances in the first minutes. Azzurri created some chances as well but ReUnited’s defensive lines stood firm. Towards the end of first half ReUnited stepped up the pressure, however the half ended in a goalless draw.
In the second half, ReUnited turned up the heat and it was Sebastian Andersson who converted the first bankable chance into a goal in the 51st minute. He dribbled from the left side into the box and put the ball with a beautiful shot towards the far post into the goal taking a 1-0 ReUnited lead. Just four minutes later, Steve Ishemezwe dribbled into the box and doubled their lead to 2-0. ReUnited used their fast offensive players to create more chances and it was in minute 83 when Ishemezwe sealed the deal and finished a counter attack to make it 3-0. Azzurri almost got a goal back but their effort landed on the crossbar and the contest ended 3-0 to ReUnited. Steve Ishemezwe (above) received man of the match honors. ReUnited have just two fixtures left and all eyes are on the big game against the Lions coming Saturday, which will be decisive for this season’s championship. Azzurri legend and man of first hour Andrea Speranza (below 2nd left) of the social sports platform YEYU: “We had some chances and could have won but that’s football.”
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FC Oranje lined up to play the Big Bamboo Shanghai Shooters AFC. For both the Dutch and the Shooters it was the last league match of the season. For the Shooters the match had relevance as a win would see them jump Azzurri and land on the podium. Oranje tried to build on their good performance the week before but with several key players absent they knew it was going to be difficult.
In the first half, most of the play took place on the Dutch half but despite Shooter dominance Oranje held them off for about 35mins. The Shooters kept attacking combining through the middle and it finally yielded when Wilson Scott got the ball in the box on the left. He wasted no time to work it over the line taking a 0-1 Shooters lead. Soon thereafter the Shooters had one goal chalked off for offside and the half ended with a 0-1 score line.
As long as they were just one goal behind Oranje knew that they were still in the game. They decided to play more offensive through fast counters using experience in the middle and speed upfront. The sort of speed and experience one can find in Shanghai at Berkman Forwarding so it was all good. As the second half got underway, the Shooters kept attacking with the Dutch launching several quick breaks. It left them somewhat exposed at the back and soon a second Shooters goal would follow. After about 10mins Wilson Scott was at the end of another Shooters attack and scored his second of the day doubling the Shooters tally to 2-0 (above).
The men in orange stuck to script and continued to launch quick Dennie Lamers up front (ex NEC). It finally worked when they managed to make a three-touch combination play with Donny Sijbrands (left below-ex Ajax) placing the ball perfectly behind the Shooters defense for Lamers to pick it up. He rushed forward, moved in the box and beat the keeper at the near post for 1-2. It gave the Dutch new hope but the Shooters have Kevin Wiessler (below) and he was in fine form. He had two assists but also scored two goals making it 1-4 soon thereafter. By then oranje’s minds were already thinking about their end of season party at Sasha’s & Zapata’s in a sea of Oranjeboom. Wiessler just kept going, picked up the ball and passed it to Dylan Wong. Wong ran it in the box and shot one past the keeper for a final 1-5 score line that all but guarantees a podium finish for the Shooters.
Fresh off the boat Dylan Wong (below 3rd from left) put in a fine performance and picked up his first ever man of the match honors. FC Oranje established a new record with the shortest cap ever of 3 seconds (ex Twente). With their usual upbeat and buoyant mood they went on to Sasha’s/Zapata’s to celebrate their new records and 543 matches played. Mission accomplished!
Ma Lei (in black) refereed an excellent game. Keepers Robin ‘Swedish Chef’ Johannson (blue) and Banners (green) made some fine saves. They both had to fish the ball out of the net as well with Chris Barnyard (#1) winning that contest by four. With his one goal scored, Dennie Lamers (in orange) is in a tight race with Marijn ten Wolde (above) en Tom Jansen to pick up new boots as bonus after end-of-season tourney for top scorer of Oranje. Boots provided by Beyond Relocation.
The Shanghai Puxi Lions FC did battle with Long Tang AFC. The Lions knew they could expect a tough game against Long Tang. Despite lingering in the basement with just 8 points, Long Tang have changed considerably and were able to field many strong players. The Lions started well with good combination play in the midfield. They put Long Tang’s defense under pressure and soon it yielded. A great strike from the edge of the box by Azzeddine Takouloufa (#10) gave the Lions a 1-0 lead.
The Lions kept attacking and soon thereafter Allan Mendel (#8) scored the 2-0 when he went through for a one on one with the keeper. The Lions had a great chance for 3-0 but the effort failed and the half ended with a 2-0 sore line.
The refereeing trio had a very difficult time as the young and inexperienced referee had trouble with his decision making. It frustrated the Lions as several dubious free kicks were awarded but only to Long Tang. The Lions felt their title ambitions were under threat. From one such contested free kick, Long Tang scored getting a goal back at 2-1. Long Tang took advantage of the situation and smelled a result could be on the cards. They put men forward and soon scored another goal from a penalty evening out the score at 2-2.
Not to be deterred, the Lions just kept playing and five minutes later that almost yielded when Lions player Dave O’Reilly was obviously fouled in the box. Under great intimidation the referee decided not to award the spot kick. Then, the Lions launched an all out offense, pushed men forward for justice and kept creating chance after chance. Their pressure soon resulted in a goal when Lions defender Jack Boller (below middle) ran forward then played a quick one two with Daniel Isaacs (above). Boller got the ball back through the air and headed it home at the near post out of reach of the goalie for a renewed Lions lead at 3-2. The Lions played out the match, won the contest and earned another three points. They are just one point away from the title. Man of the match honors went to Lions player with a big heart Francois Liot.
The Lions’ fighting spirit paid off to great relieve of the squad and Dutch Master Freek Boelen. The title will go down the wire with a championship match coming weekend between ReUnited and the Lions. A win or a draw will give the Lions their third consecutive title. But ReUnited are no easy push over, have the best player and striker of the league and have as much chance of winning. They could be well on their way to their first ever Premier League title with their last match versus Azzurri still to follow. Excitement till last minute in the Shanghai International Football League!
The derby in the First Division was between Voodoo and Voodoo Child. At stake was which squad could walk away with the skull and get hammered. It was the final game of the season that saw a large Voodoo squad, made up of players past and present take on their underachieving sister club the Voodoo Child. VC had been rocked by withdrawals from key players but Captain Dicko (having recovered from a spine transplant) was a welcome returnee as was Ben ‘I will play if my gf lets me’ Madrigal. The starting 11 seemed solid enough though but worries about the bench (Paddington, Communard & Disney) abounded especially given the Voodoo squad size.
The first 10mins saw Voodoo try and impose their brand of power plays using speed and quick passing to attack the heart of the VC defense. Tony Wasgood held firm though and his four hours sober record was paying off as he was commanding in the air and on the ground. His able side stick Kam L Toe marshaled the troops well. Jules was solid and Joe had a good second game in a row. Anne Twat in his final game caused problems up front and Bruce Foxton on the wing and Fat Nick both put in strong performances.
With 10mins of the first half to go, a header dropped to around 25 yards out and roly poly Spaniard Lois fired in a tremendous shot that was unstoppable taking a 1-0 Voodoo lead. Even VC keeper Colin could not wish himself dead for letting that one in. VC held on for the last few nervy minutes and got to halftime just 1-0 down.
Voodoo Child were positive at halftime and started the second half strongly (there had not been much need to use the fine subs above but surely they would be needed for the encore). Voodoo were very positive at halftime too coz Ned Kelly (below) just got back from the outback and made a rare appearance. The most prolific Voodoo striker ever with 56 goals in one season got carried around in his private silver chair and was fed beer early on in the contest as a token of appreciation. The match turned into an open game with both sides playing hard. Frustrations were creeping in and Dirty Doyle was lucky to stay on the pitch as he attempted to cut the VC striker in two. Referee Kevin saw fit to play advantage and the resulting throw in did a lot to make up for that decision.
Another Bryan Doyle foul led to a free kick on the left hand side touch line and VC's very own cockney reject (Liam) rifled in a 35 yard short to make matters equal and a 1-1 score line. The remainder of the game was frantic and both sides could have snatched a win. The final whistle came as a relief for a very tired VC team. A good honest performance was a fine way to finish the season for VC and Voodoo and it was handshakes all round after the game. The skull was split in half and both got teams got hammered in the Camel.
Ben Madrigal received man of the match honors for Voodoo Child while Kyle Hayes (above) received these honors for Voodoo. After the match all players and supporters attended Voodoo's Derby Open Top Bus event and had loads of fun. The subs were finally being appreciated to the fullest.
On June 6, 2015, Round 30 of the Shanghai International Football League will take place with two league games.
In the Premier League the championship match between league leaders Shanghai Puxi Lions FC and Shanghai ReUnited. In the First Division, Shanghai Vikings FC versus Hstone HFC. Games to be played at Songjiang Sports Center in Songjiang.
Visit the official SIFL website to find out more. http://www.eteamz.com/SIFL/
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