Hebiguchi Quarter Finals

Big Bamboo Shanghai Shooters AFC edge out Shanghai 3United. Azzurri FC beat Shanghai ReUnited. Shanghai Japan FC beat Voodoo Child after shootout. Shanghai Lions FC handed regulatory 5-0 win. 

SIFL Cup Qualifiers

Long Tang AFC (above) on rampage versus Anzacs FC. Kangbei United FC win versus Happy FC. 

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Hebiguchi Cup Quarterfinals

Shanghai 3United were pitted against current holders of the H-Cup Big Bamboo Shanghai Shooters AFC. Shooters started quickly and despite the bumpy field managed to carve out some chances, but couldn’t find a finishing touch as 3United defended well. 

Eventually however the pressure told as Simon Moore crossed in finding Roland Broughton for a tap in for 0-1. One became two as Broughton turned provider lofting a ball over the 3United backline for Kevin Wiessler to run on to and finish for 0-2. Halftime whistle went with the Shooters leading comfortably. 

The second half began and the Shooters quickly increased their lead to three as Mike McGirr back heeled in a loose ball in the box from a corner for 0-3. After this the game became more stretched as 3U attacked more to get themselves back into the game and the Shooters looked to add more goals. 

3United were the more successful playing two through balls which Oraz Arslanow beat the Shooter defenders to twice and slotted home to make the score line 2-3. In the end however it was too little too late and the game finished 2-3 seeing the Shooters advance to the semifinal. Wilson Scott received man of the match honors. 

   

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Voodoo Child did battle with Shanghai Japan FC. As the only first division team left in the cup, VC were carrying the hopes of the league. VC had been on a strong recruitment drive in the week leading up, to make up for the loss of Jesus and disciples. 

However with a strong squad assembled and Greg Sicardi using words in the pre-match team talk rather than mime, VC entered the game confidently. That quickly changed with the Japanese picking up a free kick early and scoring with a well-directed Yo Inoue header at the front post taking a 0-1 Japan lead. 

The Japanese continued to keep the ball well and move through VC. VC were also struggling playing into the sun and this caused the defense to make some small insignificant errors. Therewere not many chances for the first half as the VC defense was tested but managed to keep shots down to a minimum. Just before the end of the half Greg Sicardi left the field and like any old footballer was taken to a place in the sky that footballers go when they get to a certain age. 

At the start of the second half, Minion made his long awaited return after an 18-month absence with a hamstring injury, this was soon put to the test by Jules Goodes who gave him a 40-meter sprint straight away. VC were able to keep the ball better and a golden chance fell to the golden hair boy Phil Boyle, however he decided to continue from his pre-match routine of kicking ballsinto orbit. 

Then, with Lasse Aamodt winning a 50:50 just outside his own box he played a ball down the right side for Luuk Drediette to sprint after. He crossed the ball in for Liam Redican to smash it into the net evening out the score at 1-1 with 5mins to go. 

Five minutes passed and it was onto penalties. VC missed, Japan scored, VC missed, Japan scored, VC scored, Japan scored, VC missed and Japan won the shootout 1-3 advancing to the semis. Yasutomo Toyofuku and Luuk Drediette picked up man of the match honors. Kam: “Special mention for Ben and if anyone has seen where the ball finally landed it would be greatly appreciated if you could return to VC.” 

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Shanghai Lions FC faced Shanghai United. The Russians ran out of moonshine on Friday and started drinking tractor fuel. They were still drinking on Saturday and threw the match. The Lions won 5-0. Misha (left): “We have best moonshine in the world its God’s will we must be happy.”

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Shanghai ReUnited were up against Azzurri FC in their quarters. The men in blue put in a solid performance on the day. In the first half they played compact football followed with quick attacking midfield play. Their dominance paid off when they attacked over the left. Keeper Cody Ahlstrom saved an initial shot but Patrick Arbeloa was in the right place to convert the rebound for a 0-1 Azzurri lead at halftime. 

Azzurri deservedly doubled their lead in the second half when they caught ReU on the break and Alex Brown slammed home a hard low drive for 0-2. ReUnited never really looked like getting back and Azzurri simply played out the match. Alex Brown picked up man of the match honors. 

It was ReUnited’s first loss of the season and they were all shook by it. Herr Flick: “Helga must be punished and redo the Gestapo exam.” To celebrate their win and place in the semis, Azzurri went to Cages – Shanghai’s Number 1 Sports Bar!

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SIFL Cup Qualifiers 

Long Tang AFC crossed swords with the Anzacs FC. Long Tang came out with all guns blazing. The Anzacs were no easy pushover in the first half and were able to do some damage of their own. The half ended with a 4-2 score line. 

In the second half, the floodgates opened completely and Long Tang waltzed through the Anzacs defense at ease scoring at will. The contested ended with Long Tang 10 and Anzacs 2. 

With five goals Jinfu Gan received man of the match honors. Ahamad Meouloud netted two, Yi Ding, Liang Shan and Kai Sun scored one each. Chris Lloyd and Abdul Zarouel scored for the Anzacs. 

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Happy FC locked horns with Kangbei United FC. Both teams came to win but focused on squid defense to try and keep the nil in the first half. They succeeded in that as the first 45mins ended in a 0^0 spectacle score. 

In the second half, focus switched to attack mode and Kangbei were clearly better at finishing as they managed to score four times versus HFC’s one goal. The game ended with a final 1-4 score line. Wei Xue scored once while Juan Jose scored a hattrick and promptly picked up man of the match honors. Feng Tang scored for HFC.

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STANDINGS

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Shanghai International Football League

 

Visit the official SIFL website to find out more. http://www.eteamz.com/SIFL/

Happy Rooster everyone-the Cock is coming!

Tom Bus