The Lions’ Future Is Looking Good
[ SIFL ] Beavers 2–5 Shanghai Lions FC
Last Saturday, the Lions took on Beaver United in a game that was interesting from many angles.
We were glad to see Thomas return from injury, and from the first whistle, we dominated possession—80% ball control, 10 corners, 7 free kicks—but still managed to go 1–0 down before halftime. Yes, that’s football… and yes, it felt a bit like Bayern vs. Chelsea in 2012.
One moment deserves a special place in Lions folklore: Charles’ “great miss”—a moment so hard to replicate that we may well add it to the archives. (Definition of a “great miss”: when it’s harder to miss than to score.)
The halftime message was clear: “If you don’t finish, you won’t score. And if you’re going to play football, don’t stop halfway.” (We’ll spare our younger Lions the extended analogy involving Latife and girlfriends… but the point stood!)
In the second half, the wake-up call worked:
- 🇧🇪 Alain Mandale netted a hat-trick, making up for his earlier penalty woes.
- ⚽ Jérôme calmly converted from the spot.
- Final score: 5–2 win for the Lions.
Now, all eyes are on our SIFL Cup semifinal vs. the Shooters next Saturday, 11:00 at Tianma. It’s the biggest match of the season—don’t miss it!
[ Friendly ] Young Lions vs. Senior Lions
On Sunday at Century Park, we held our first-ever “Lions vs. Lions” friendly match—pitting the senior squad against our up-and-coming youth team (aged 15–18).
With 19 young players taking part, we’re proud to officially welcome our “Young Lions” team into the club. Their commitment, energy, and talent were a joy to witness.
🚸 Going forward:
- We’ll organize 4–6 matches per year against international schools and Chinese/Japanese youth teams.
- Talented and dedicated players will be invited to train regularly with the senior squad.
- Their next match is already planned for September.
After the game, players and families gathered at Latina, our club sponsor, for a post-match meal—good food and even better vibes. We were especially happy to meet the new baby Lions of Jilles C.D., who’s returning in September!
💬 Final Words from the President
It’s great to be a Lion—from the youngest to the most experienced.
Let’s focus on getting the results we want this weekend—it’s going to be massive.
Cheers,
Freek Boelen – Club President
