On May 9 2015, Shanghai Puxi Lions FC (above) win Hebiguchi Cup by beating ReUnited 0-2 as round 26 of the Shanghai International Football League got underway. In the Plate Semis, the Shanghai Vikings FC edge out the Anzacs FC in a penalty shootout. Shanghai 3United beat Shanghai United to set up a Vikings versus 3United Plate Final. In the Premier League, Shanghai Japan FC beat Long Tang AFC. In four fixtures 15 goals were scored.
The Hebiguchi Cup final was a match between Heb Cup holders Shanghai ReUnited and the Shanghai Puxi Lions FC. It was a beautiful picture perfect day that saw the two top teams of the SIFL do battle in the final. The Lions started their warming up motivated and up to the task as they wanted to revenge their implosion versus the Shooters the match before where they squandered a 3-0 lead in 30mins. Lions Legend Jerome flew in from Bangkok for the occasion and Mus was back as well to cheer on the troops.
The Lions took the initiative straight from the kick off and tested the ReUnited defense on several occasions. Azzeddine Takouloufa almost nailed it when he sliced through the ReU defense and Daniel Isaacs came close to scoring as well. As Takouloufa kept threatening the ReU defense they could only stop him with physical play and in one such occasion he was fouled just outside the box. He stepped up to take the ensuing free kick and shot in past the wall into the right side of the goal (above) for a 1-0 Lions lead. The Lions didn’t stop there and a few minutes later, a Takouloufa through ball put soon-to-be-father Mathieu Witkowski alone for the keeper. Witkowski kept his cool and scored the Lions second goal for a 0-2 score line at halftime.
In the second half, the Lions pushed for a third goal to try and put the game to bed. Takouloufa got another great chance but the keeper saved his attempted lob. In the last 20mins Reunited pushed more men forward to try to get back into the game, as the Lions legs were tiring. The Lions bench had to come to the rescue to see the match through to the end. Though ReUnited created several bankable chances they were unable to breach the tight Lions defense. At the death, Daniel Isaacs squandered the last chance of the match and the Lions held on to their 0-2 lead winning the 2015 Hebiguchi Cup. The Lions are still in the race for the elusive treble: winning the Premier League, SIFL Cup and Hebiguchi Cup in one season. A feat that has only been achieved by the Shooters, albeit three times in the 00/01, 02/03 and 06/07 seasons. The Lions celebrated their first silverware of the season with a great dinner at their sponsor Le Creperie and after that they disappeared in Shanghai’s nightlife. Dutch Master Freek Boelen: “We are the greatest and there is nothing better than winning a final!”
In the Premier League, Long Tang AFC crossed swords with Shanghai Japan FC. With both teams on eight points a win by either team would move them away from the basement. Japan started strong and after 15mins of play their efforts paid off. A great goal kick by the Japanese keeper was flicked on by Tomoyuki Hirai and picked up by Takuya Nakano who ran behind the Long Tang defensive lines and delivered it into the goal for a 0-1 Japan lead. Ten minutes later from an attack over the left, striker Dalong Xia got the ball and took a shot at goal. With some luck his effort became a perfect through ball that found Hirai at the penalty spot who had no trouble to convert this easy chance doubling Japan’s score to 0-2. Japan dominated the half but Long Tang got back into the match after they were awarded a penalty from a handball in the box. Long Tang’s Weiqi Zhu stepped up and converted the ensuing spot kick getting a goal back at 1-2.
Long Tang upped the pressure in the second half but Japan’s defense stood well, stayed focused and neutralized all of Long Tang’s chances. About 30mins into the half, Japan attacked over the right when captain Mighty (#5 above) got the ball. He delivered a lovely cross that connected with striker Hirai who pushed the ball into the net for 1-3 and that’s how the match ended. Japan’s Dalong Xia received man of the match honors. With this victory Japan has resolutely moved out of the basement of the Premier League. Marveling Captain Mighty: “We will beat the Shooters next and move to the middle!”
In the Plate Semifinal, Shanghai Vikings FC did battle with the Anzacs FC. The game started out very rough from both sides with the Vikings trying to retain possession but often stopped by Anzacs warriors. In the 25th minute it was time for some magical Viking play. Intercepting a ball on left it ended up in Jens Christensen who after a few great dribbles towards the center of the Anzacs box made a clever ‘masked’ pass to a forward running Stefan Soegaard. Soegaard controlled the ball with an excellent first touch and on the second he hammered it to the left bottom corner taking a 1-0 Vikings lead. Towards the end of the half the Anzacs created some danger but no more goals were scored so that both teams went to tea with a 1-0 score line.
The Vikings continued where the left of in the first half and that was laying siege to the Anzacs goal. Some controversy as a Viking effort in the box was cleared by an alleged stretched Anzacs leg resulting in Viking injury. Another such action injured another Viking yet without repercussions. With 15mins to go, the Anzacs did something back when Reda El Gachem scored a goal from a one on one with the keeper evening out the score at 1-1. A few minutes later, Wayne Grant caught the Vikings defense napping as he got one past the keeper taking a 1-2 Anzacs lead. The Vikings employed an all or nothing assault and in the dying minutes of the match were awarded a free kick. Viking Jiye Fan delivered the ball in the box where the entire Anzacs defense jumped to clear it but to no avail as Fan’s effort ended up in the net tying the score to 2-2 at the death.
The referee blew the whistle and penalties had to bring the decider. Two great saves by Viking keeper Alexander Schandorf and four converted penalties by Jiye Fan, Lasse Møller, Mikkel Joensen and Zhihong Cheng sealed it for the Vikings as they won the shoot out 4-2. With this win the Vikings are in the Plate Final where they will face 3United. Vikings’ Jiye Fan received man of the match honors. Viking Henrik Kragh (above middle): “I’m tired of war mongering but I feel like mongering something in the final-Skåååål!”
In the other Plate Semifinal, Shanghai 3United (above) locked horns with Shanghai United. The match was played on a wet and drizzly morning in Songjiang with both teams roaring to go from the start. Play was intense from the first whistle and it was United who were on the score sheet first. A free kick outside the box was placed nicely into top corner but initially saved by keeper Matthias Kuck (#1). But the rebound fell prey to the abdominal Adewale Adebowale who headed it in the net taking a 0-1 United lead after 45mins of football.
During the second half, 3United were able to equalize with a goal from Alvaro Roca who made a 40 meter sprint down the right side and chipped the keeper evening out the score at 1-1. United came right back to take the lead for the second time with a shot by Adebowale from the right side that clipped down into the top left corner past the outstretched hands of keeper Kuck for 1-2. 3United did not give up hope though, as a few minutes later Nick Law received a ball at midfield and beat two defenders and then the keeper, to once again tie the game at 2-2. Adewale Adebowale: “I have already patented my very special name and practically sold it to Donald Trump, call me Wale from now on.”
There was a tense 15mins of scoreless play as each side was looking for the winner. Then, a defensive pass through the middle deep into United territory was being picked up by Nick Law and just as the United keeper was about to pick the ball up, Law made a well-timed run to knock the ball away and keep possession. While the keeper and defenders closed in, Law passed the ball back to Joe Williams (above) outside the box. Williams side footed the ball into the top right corner to give 3United their first lead of the game at 3-2. In the final phase of the match United fought hard to get the equalizer to push the game to penalties but the 3United defense held on to their narrow lead and booked themselves a place in the Plate Final where they will face the Shanghai Vikings FC. 3United’s Vernon Tebong Mbah received man of the match honors. Joe Williams: “Its great to score the winning goal and all but, next weekend I got a special gig at Sasha’s and get paid in Oranjeboom, come check me out, first drink on me!”
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On May 16, 2015, Round 27 of the Shanghai International Football League will take place with league games. Games to be played at the Shanghai Community & Sports Center in Waigaoqiao and at Songjiang Sports Center in Songjiang.
Visit the official SIFL website to find out more. http://www.eteamz.com/SIFL/
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