By Tom Bus
On November 29 2014, the eighth round of league games of the Shanghai International Football League took shape. In the Premier League, Big Bamboo Shanghai Shooters AFC on a rampage versus Long Tang AFC. Shanghai Puxi Lions FC win versus Azzurri FC. Shanghai ReUnited beat Shanghai Japan FC. In the First Division, Shanghai Krauts FC triumphant over Voodoo. Kangbei United FC defeat Anzacs FC. Shanghai Vikings FC victorious over Voodoo Child. Shanghai United edge out Shanghai 3United. Hstone HFC and Shanghai Cosmos share the spoils. In 8 fixtures 45 goals were scored.
In the Premier League, FC Oranje and the Shanghai Puxi Lions FC played a catch up game on Wednesday evening November 26 2014 at the Zhabei pitch. The men in orange came prepared and instead of playing defense against the champions decided to attack. It resulted in a first chance after about 10mins but the effort just went wide. After about 20mins from an Oranje attack through the middle the ball ended up at Emmanuel Kanna on the right, he moved into the box and slotted the ball home at the far post for a 1-0 lead. The Lions tried to do something back pumping balls into the Dutch defense but they were all cleared without any real danger. About 15mins from time Oranje got their second goal as from an attack over the left the ball was put in front of the goal were Roger Jackson was at hand to fire a bullet into the roof of the net for 2-0. They almost scored another goal 5mins after that but the effort from the left found the side netting and the half ended 2-0.
In the second half, Azzeddine Takouloufa made an appearance after sitting out several matches due to injury. It proved to be decisive as the Lions started to get more grip on the midfield. With 18mins to go they were granted a gift when Oranje’s Luis Narino tried to clear a header that sailed in at the far post bringing the score to 2-1. That was just what the Lions needed and they upped the tempo making the field smaller putting more men forward. The Lions created several chances but couldn’t convert them to goals. At the other end, FC Oranje got more space up front and had several half chances by James Jiang, Emmanuel Kanna and Tom Jansen but they were all outsmarted by the Lions defense. The Dutch then lost the ball in the middle of the pitch twice for Allan Mendel to pick it up and score two goals bringing the Lions a 2-3 lead. The Dutch tried a final offense but to no avail as the Lions booked a narrow win that saw them back at the top of the table with two points clear. Azzeddine Takouloufa received man of the match honors. The Orangemen felt a little hard done by but thoughts of Oranjeboom beer at Zapata’s lifted their spirits.
On November 29 2014, Azzurri FC did battle with the Shanghai Puxi Lions FC. The Azzurri were full of confidence after beating the Shooters 5-2 the week before. The Lions’ strategy was to focus on defense first and play on the counter. However, with only 5mins into the game Azzurri managed to out play the Lions defense and took a 1-0 lead when Alessandro Sandomenico struck home. The Lions stayed calm and slowly started to take control of the game. Fifteen minutes into the match they equalized with one of the best Lions goals so far. The buildup came from eight short passes on the right side of the pitch where the ball ended up at end of the field where Benjamin Guerin, with hardly any space left, managed to make a perfect cross to Daniel Isaacs who scored with a diving header for 1-1, which was also the halftime score.
In the second half, the Lions played more positive and worked hard for each ball. This hard work paid off when Romain Haution slotted home from a Daniel Isaacs cross and scored the 1-2. Azzurri kept attacking and were awarded a free kick in the Lions half. Jose Txema got behind the ball and blasted it in the top corner evening out the score at 2-2. The Lions did not give up and kept dictating the speed of the game. The Azzurri defense did not defend a cross in the box well so that Allan Mendel was able to score the 2-3. In the dying moments of the game, man of the match Azzeddine Takouloufa converted a penalty to make a final score of 2-4 to the Lions. Louis de Funes can be pleased.
The Big Bamboo Shanghai Shooters AFC lined up to play Long Tang AFC. Long Tang were missing several key players and that would prove to be decisive. In a whirlwind first half, the Shooters racked up eight goals including four from Kevin Wiessler, two from Jerome Thomas, and one a piece from Wilson Scott and Fedja Selimovic. In a slower second half, Benoit Doche and Roland Broughton scored one each. Frederic Poncin netted his first ever Shooters goal to complete an 11-0 score line. Shooters’ Colin Mcguigan at the back received man of the match honors. Wiessler (below): “You play your heart out, you score four in first 45mins, you inspire the rest, then a defender picks up MOM, what do I need to do get these honors?” (stop poaching players-ed)
Shanghai Japan FC crossed swords with Shanghai ReUnited. In the second minute of the match, ReUnited’s Daniel Messing played a long ball over the left in the path of sprinter Tobi Junior who converted easily at the far post taking a 0-1 ReUnited lead. This goal seemed to wake up the Japanese who started playing with more vigor winning more balls. It paid off after 5mins when Tomoyuki Hirai went through on goal to even out the score 1-1. After about 10mins disaster struck for ReUnited when Dennis Poersel broke his ankle in an unfortunate but fair tackle. Poersel was sent to the hospital to receive treatment. The match continued and Japan created several more chances but ReU’s keeper Cody Ahlstrom saved them all and the score remained deadlocked at halftime.
About 4mins into second half, Junior made an irresistible sprint over the left flank and passed to the middle to Steve Ishemezwe who stormed towards the goal and converted easily for a 1-2 ReU lead. ReUnited had now more of the game and created several chances while Japan still created danger as well. The ReU fans had to wait until the 83rd minute when Steve Ishemezwe finally relieved his teammates with his second goal of the day for a 1-3 score. However, it was not over as just 2mins later Junior picked up a fumble then fired a shot at goal that bounced back to Ishemezwe who scored with a lob while lying on the ground completing his hattrick for a final 1-4 score line. ReUnited’s Tobi Junior (below in blue) received man of the match honors. Dennis Poersel got surgery the same day and will be out for a few months. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.
In the First Division, the Shanghai Krauts FC did battle with Voodoo. The Krauts started with a 3-2-4-1 formation. Voodoo went into this top of the table clash high on confidence after a recent good run of form in the league, started aggressively and were camped in the Krauts half for the first 25mins. Several opportunities came and went without anyone being able to put the ball in the back of the net. The Krauts withstood this pressure and stayed focused playing their own game. They got better into the match and it was just a matter of time before they scored a goal. It came in the 29th minute when Thomas Schwab blasted a ball in the right corner of the goal from a Stoyan Atsarov assist for 1-0. Ten minutes later Mirko ‘the Italian Stallion’ Franco came out of nowhere, stole the ball from Voodoo and immediately passed to Atsarov who’s shot from 25 meters out found the net doubling the score to 2-0. The half ended with the Krauts leading comfortably.
The game continued in the second half on a high level with high speed. Voodoo tried to fight back by playing very physical to try and overrun the Krauts midfield. Then, from a Krauts offense, Schwab passed the ball from the right midfield into the Voodoo box where Marin Delchev was at hand to score the 3-0 short and painless. Voodoo increased pressure and forced Krauts keeper Lars Ertzinger to make some great saves. From an ensuing corner Voodoo saw an effort cleared off the goal line. With 20mins on the clock, the Krauts played another offense from which Schwab started a great solo. He moved around three opponents leaving them stuck in awe as Voodoo dolls and fired a shot on goal from the left. Delchev stood at the right spot at the right time giving the ball the right direction as if flew in the goal for 4-0. Voodoo did not give up, kept fighting and put up pressure in the remaining 20mins. At one moment, they played with twelve men and even attempted some Kung-Fu but the Krauts were able to keep a clean sheet. It was the best performance of the Krauts so far this season and with this win they remain top of the table. Stoyan Atsarov received man of the match honors. Dictator Bilgin G. (below with his new friends): “Not much I can say as I am in Europe for the Christmas celebrations after which I will go to North Korea followed by visits to Cuba and Venezuela and then visit my new land Russia.” (Dictator’s ultimate goal is to reinstate the Ottoman Empire, annex Germania with the inclusion of the above-mentioned territories for lebensraum-ed)
Kangbei United FC faced the Anzacs FC. After 10mins of play the Anzacs woke up and started getting the ball down. The captain played Rick Howard in the centre of midfield alongside Barrie Scrymgeour which looked a good decision as he hit a diagonal ball in behind their defense for Carl Schopp to run on to and dink over the keeper taking a 0-1 Anzacs lead. The Anzacs then had their best spell for some time as they created a host of chances. Just when they thought they weren’t going to get anything, Dan Ayers’ run forward fed Andy Pether, who looked up and saw Schopp bursting through and he shot across the keeper into the far corner. Shopping!! Four in four and 2-0 to the Anzacs. Just before the half ended Kangbei’s midfielder received the ball on the edge of the area, wriggled through a couple of challenges, and managed to squeeze a shot past the keeper right into the corner for a 1-2 score at halftime.
Both teams made several substitutions in the second half. Kangbei fielded Hali who played in defense and then reappeared up front. On one of his forward runs Hali found space on the corner of the area, drove in, and hit the ball into the corner evening out the score at 2-2. The Anzacs defense got sucked into the midfield, Hali broke through into the gap for a one on one with the keeper. His shot was saved but it rebounded straight to the Kangbei forward, who rounded both keeper and defender, and walked it into an empty net taking a 3-2 Kangbei lead for the first time in the match. The Anzacs’ best chance to get one back fell to Shepherd who dragged his shot across goal when free. With 5mins to go Kangbei had a man over at the back post on the break who slotted home to make it 4-2. The Anzacs pushed forward but there were no heroics this week. Kangbei’s goals were scored by Hali (2), Zhou Yuan Yang (1) and man of the match Hao Chen (1).
The Voodoo Child locked horns with the Shanghai Vikings FC. Christmas cannot come soon enough for the enigmatic Voodoo Child. Once dubbed the future of all things bad, the child simply cannot buy a win and the legacy of ‘Ben the sieve’ carries on. A new list of excuses is high on the list for Santa although some new ones did manage to surface this weekend such as ‘we have too much talent these days’ and ‘Joe’ (MOM) is just not a defender. There was even a ‘we missed Matty P’. For a squad short on points and goals there was a strange air of confidence about the team prior to kick off with most players wishing to dispense with the pre-match warm up and drills. Voodoo Child’s midfield began chasing shadows and new keeper ‘Dark Sky’ was quickly called into action. After 25mins on the left, Viking Peter Tabor dribbled around the VC defense then smashed the ball in the roof of the net from a tight angle for a 0-1 Vikings lead. VC did slowly creep back into the game and a Cameo appearance from ‘Chief of promotions’ Andy Hamilton resulted in a goal for VC, a yellow card and a pulled hammy all in the space of 90 seconds. A halftime score of 1-1 and hopes were raised about this being the first VC win of the season.
Unfortunately, this was not to be as the well-disciplined Vikings were determined to change things around. After about 20mins the Vikings got a free kick at the edge of the box. Xiao Fan crossed the ball to the far right where it was redirected to Cheng who had an easy finish and put the Vikings back in front 1-2. Ten minutes from time, Max Twisselmann ran the ball at full speed over the right (24 km/h), dodged a few sliding tackles before he made a perfect cross to Cheng with only the keeper to beat. He hammered home from close range scoring his second of the day taking a 1-3 Vikings lead. Post match inquest raised questions on the VC captain’s tactics, how to mark at set pieces and should Gordy ‘Mr Mascara’ (below) have brought his dog along. It will be forgotten for the next one though and someday some team is going to pay (hopefully this season!). Vikings’ Claus Boje received man of the match honors.
Shanghai United were scheduled to play Shanghai 3United. An unspectacular match between United and their bastard-offspring-once-removed was hard fought but provided little in the way of clear-cut chances for either side. United probably just about edged the first half in terms of possession - with Kuat Kenzhalin putting in yet another strong performance at left back. However, 3U looked the stronger in midfield with tidy passing and off-the-ball movement. United went up a goal taking a 1-0 lead after some very strong running from Misha ‘Grandaddylev’ Bobylev whose return to the pitch was a welcome sight not just for his estranged son Oleg, but for the crowds at the sideline and the whole United team, who have struggled to convert possession into goals this season. 3U hit back almost immediately via Gordy Shawn O’Neil header (below) evening out the score 1-1 and threatened to take the game away from United. It stayed 1-1 in the first 45mins of football. Only a spawny deflected own goal for 2-1 in the second half separated the teams at full time with United cashing in a rare three points. United’s Misha Bobylev (#18 below) was voted man of the match.
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Hstone HFC crossed swords with the Shanghai Cosmos. HFC managed to successfully find their way to Waigaoqiao this time around for this top of the mid table clash. Cosmos dominated the first half only to be struck twice in quick succession following lucky breaks for the Shining Happy people going up 2-0. Danny Gershoni and Chris Gruar were playing well in the centre of midfield, and Connall Cassidy made a tackle reminiscent of Bobby Moore taking down Pele. Jasper Verdam had a hangover, but it (mostly) didn't show. The half ended 2-0 to HFC.
Cosmos then dominated the second period, until HFC struck a beauty from 30 yards into the top corner taking a 3-0 lead. A raft of Cosmos subs ensued, with Vu Chu in particular distinguishing himself with his best game in Cosmos colors so far. With 15mins to go, all looked lost until Verdam emerged from his drunken fug to notch a consolation goal for 3-1. A rousing cry from Alex Beaver inspired another surge forward, resulting in a Tom Morley strike for 3-2 to give the Cosmos hope. A wild lunge on Jordan Campbell on the edge of the box by their overly keen right back gave Cosmos one last roll of the dice. Moreover, it was Campbell who had been rolling snake eyes all day, who curled in a perfect set piece for the now fully sober Verdam to bundle in the equalizer 3-3. An almost guaranteed fourth and winning goal was cruelly denied by the ref's final whistle and 3-3 it ended with both teams sharing the spoils. Nonetheless, a role reversal on the previous week where Cosmos almost threw away a three goal lead, this was a thoroughly satisfying point against all odds. Hstone HFC’s goals were scored by: Haihui Xu, Guobin Xu and Xiaogang Xu. Ex-Cosmos Ronny Ren kindly bought the post-match beers, with both Cosmos and Hstone HFC voting Jasper ‘the freak' Verdam (above in all his glory) man of the match.
On December 6 2014, a ninth round of league matches of the Shanghai International Football League will be played at the Shanghai Community & Sports Center in Waigaoqiao and the Songjiang Sports Center in Songjiang.
// Visit the official SIFL website to find out more, To see other SIFL roundups, click here
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