By Tom Bus
On February 22, 2014 a full round of league games were played in the Shanghai International Football League. In the Premier League all higher ranked teams won. Big Bamboo Shooters saw off Metro challenge (above). DIB waltzed through Shanghai Krauts. Thriller in the First Division in the Long Tang AFC versus Anzacs FC fixture with seven goals and dramatic win. From 10 fixtures 41 goals were scored.
The Big Bamboo Shanghai Shooters AFC took on Shentong Metro FC on a windy day at Waigaoqiao. Looking to take an early lead, the Shooters put Metro under pressure from the first whistle. Their efforts were rewarded when Benoit Doche tapped home from close-range to give them the lead 1-0. The Shooters nearly doubled their lead but were held back with some excellent last ditch blocks from the Metro defense. Capitalizing on this, Metro managed to break the offside trap before their player was forced out wide. On the byline he lofted a ball to the far post and Zhang Xiang was there to smash the volley into the roof of the net evening out the score 1-1. It remained that way until halftime.
In the 2nd half the Shooters upped their tempo to try and get ahead from fast pace breaks. It yielded 10mins later when captain Kevin Weissler saw his tame header trickle over the line for 2-1 as the goalkeeper failed to keep hold of it. (below) Soon after, the Shooters gave themselves a two-goal cushion as Weissler scored his second with a header from Michael McGirr's far post cross for 3-1. At this point the Shooters looked comfortable and after a few yellow cards were dished out, Weissler completed his hattrick to make it 4-1 with a run through the middle and a shot that squirmed under the keeper's body. In the ensuing minutes Metro were denied a penalty while the Shooters failed to convert more of their chances and 4-1 it stayed. Kevin Weissler (above left) received man of the match honors.
DIB FC were up against the Shanghai Krauts FC. The struggling Krauts were no match for DIB as the title contenders easily disposed of ze Germans 5-1. They were up 3-0 at halftime via goals by Fei Wang, Feng Sun and Cai Xingqi. In the 2nd half Didier Njewel and Abdoulaye Sow scored two more while Kraut honor was saved by the player with typical German name Stanislav Korchazhinkskii for an overall 5-1 DIB win. DIB’s Abdoulaye Sow received man of the match honors. It was the day of the boot yell by DIF->Do It First!
Azzurri FC squared off with Shanghai Puxi Lions FC. After a struggling start of the season the Azzurri are firmly back on track winning several of their games as of late. Lions goalie Dimitri Le Sant came straight from Pudong Airport to attend the match.
In the 1st half the men in blue came the close to scoring when Adam Kluger got away from Jack Boller and hit the wood work but no goals were scored and 0-0 it stayed at halftime.
In the 2nd half the Lions started to control the midfield creating several chances. As on previous occasions it took a defender to break the deadlock when Jack Boller (below right) scored from a corner for the 0-1. Azzurri tried to fight back but after too many substitutions they somewhat lost their play. The Lions have Azzeddine Takouloufa (below left) and when he went on a run he put the game away scoring a second for 0-2. Airport dweller Dimitri Le Sant (standing with bag) was voted man of the match.
FC Oranje lined up to play Shanghai ReUnited. The Orange squad depleted by several no shows did not have the best of preps. In the opening phase, most of the play happened on the Dutch half. After about 20mins from a fluent ReUnited attack Ishemezwe broke through but was held back by keeper Friso and a penalty was what followed. It was saved (below) and the game went on. A few moments later fresh Oranje sign-up Mart Koopman (below left) fired a shot 30 meters out. It sailed straight at the ReUnited goalie who slipped stumbled and fell and saw the ball crawl over the line for a 1-0 FC Oranje lead. The last 10mins of the 1st half ReUnited increased pressure but the Dutch held on to a 1-0 lead at halftime.
The 2nd half saw ReUnited playing with more speed and tempo and winning more and more tackles. They created several good chances that were all saved by Friso. In the 75th minute from one such fast break the ball ended up at Mandela who noticed the goalie far from the goal and rolled the ball by him that found the net for 1-1. Not to be outdone FC Oranje created several chances as well and Double’s effort came close with a bicycle kick that just went wide. On the other side Mandela was there for a tap in to put ReUnited upfront 1-2. The men in Orange gave it a final push and it almost yielded when Tom Jansen saw his effort land at the cross bar. Despite a last minute scrimmage in front of the ReUnited goal no more goals were scored and ReUnited held on to a 1-2 win. ReUnited’s Mandela was voted man of the match. Tukker Mart Koopman’s maiden goal on his debut was celebrated in style with Heineken at Abbey Road.
Shanghai Japan FC were pitted against Shanghai United. For both teams a win would be essential to stay above the relegation zone. Japan started well and created most chances. United were content to play on the break. Japan’s fast midfield play proved the crux as they got what they came for and sealed the deal 2-0. Kawazoe and Takuya scored the goals while Yasutomo received man of the match honors.
In the First Division the Shanghai Sauerkrauts played the Shanghai Cosmos. Team SSK didn’t have it together on the day as the Cosmos expanded all over them to record a 0-3 victory and create a 3-point cushion over Team SSK in the standings. They were two nil up at halftime and scored another one in the 2nd half. Jordan Campbell, Tom Morley and Tasos Papadopoulos scored the goals. Campbell received man of the match honors.
The Shanghai Vikings FC locked horns with Shanghai 3United. For title contenders Vikings a win could potentially send them back to the top of the table. They came prepared but as on many occasions the rape and pillaging campaign the night before got slightly out of hand. The Vikings scored one and got an own goal (#28) while 3U got on the score sheet four times. Final result 2-4 to 3United. Their goals were scored by Sergio Parla Munoz, David Lazarowicz, Nick Law and man of the match Vernon Tebong Mbah. Viking honor was saved by Anders (above in white)
League leaders Long Tang AFC were up against Anzacs FC. Both teams came with attacking intentions and both scored a goal in the first 45 minutes for a 1-1 score at halftime. In the 2nd half Anzacs had the better run of play and scored two goals to go up 1-3 with 15 minutes to play. Then disaster struck for the down under army corps. Andy & Andy were sent off and Anzacs had to continue with nine men. Long Tang smelled blood and started to encircle the wounded Anzacs.
The siege worked out nicely for Long Tang as they found the net three times in short succession to stage a miracle come back and win the match 4-3. Their goals were scored by Lui Yingzhe, Pan Jiyuan, Zhu Weiqi, and Sheng Yiqin. Pan Jiyuan received man of the match honors. Anzacs goals were scored by Joe Hatch, Julien Gras and Carl Schopp. Legend Steve Fletcher (below) after the match: “We had them but fell for their antics that got both Andy’s red carded. We were on a roll and without them reds probably would have won ten four.”
Voodoo squared off with Shining HFC. Voodoo came into the match on the back of a five game unbeaten run but with only 11 players available they knew it would be an uphill task. Ned Kelly returned to Rugby Club to the delight of everyone. The 1st half was completely dominated by Voodoo and when the Shining keeper dropped the ball from a cross, Rob West (below 2nd left) gleefully slammed the ball home from all of three yards taking a 1-0 lead. After 35mins Shining finally managed to get into the Voodoo half and they forced a corner. The resultant kick by She Weihua took a wicked serve in the cross wind and sailed over everyone's head into the top left corner for the equalizer 1-1. Shining took heart from this and as halftime approached, Voodoo were happy to regroup.
Voodoo intended to put the game to bed in the first twenty minutes of the 2nd half and after a series of chances, Ned Kelly (above with son) had a simple tap in for 2-0 after Phil Boyle's great work. Voodoo's energy began to fade and the game became increasingly scrappy. Shining moved the ball down their right side and when their midfielder crossed the ball in the box their left winger Feng Huang managed to chest it home from five yards to even out the score at 2-2. Two forays into Voodoo penalty area had resulted in two goals by two scorers (above left). Voodoo’s best efforts couldn't find the winner despite laying siege to Shining's goal for the last five minutes. Man of the Match honors went to FX Douay for Voodoo and Wei Zhuang for Shining.
Voodoo Child did battle with Kangbei United FC. After a month without playing time the Voodoo Child were extremely rusty in the 1st half. A deflected shot by Li Qing Shen looped over stand in goalkeeper Milfy Benny and straight into the top corner for 0-1. Milfy was then called into action again with a 40 yard lob after Yi Luo was allowed to pick the ball up in his own half and continue on a mid morning stroll before sending the goalkeeper back peddling. The ball harmlessly looped over the keeper and into the back of the net and 0-2 to Kangbei and a mountain to climb for VC. The 2nd half was a stark contrast as VC rallied resulting in a well finished goal from Algerian international and all round Badoo expert Kamel Edine Lakoues for 1-2. Plenty of pressure on the KB goal resulted in a free kick just outside the box. It was indirect and taken quickly as the ball struck the KB defender and ended up in the back of the net. The referee then disallowed the goal saying that it was indirect. Protests took place but the ref waved them away. A second precious decision followed when a penalty was not given for Kangbei but instead resulted in their own player being harshly sent off for simulation. The game finished 1-2 to Kangbei. Yi Luo received man of the math honors (+2 yellows).
In the Premier League the Shanghai Puxi Lions FC are top dogs with 25 points from 9 games followed by DIB FC on 2nd with 22 points and the Big Bamboo Shanghai Shooters AFC on 3rd with 21 points. Shanghai ReUnited are on 4th with 15 points followed by Azzurri FC on 5th with 13 points and FC Oranje on 6th with 12 points. Shanghai Japan FC are on 7th spot with 10 points followed by Shentong Metro FC on 8th with 8 points. Shanghai United are on 9th spot with 5 points. The Shanghai Krauts FC are Lords of the Basement with 5 points and 23 goals south.
In the First Division Long Tang AFC have cemented their hold on top spot with 22 points followed by Voodoo on 2nd spot with 19 points and the Shanghai Vikings FC and Shanghai 3United on 3rd and 4th with 18 points each. The Shanghai Cosmos are on 5th spot with 13 points followed by Shining HFC on 6th with 11 points and Shanghai Sauerkrauts on 7th with 10 points. Kangbei United FC and the Anzacs FC are on 8th and 9th with 5 points each. Voodoo Child are closing ranks with 3 points.
Round 14 of the Shanghai International Football League will take place on March 1, 2014, with league matches at the Rugby Club in Waigaoqiao and Tianma Golf & Country Club in Songjiang.
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