Lions Compete in the Andaman Soccer 7s in Phuket
After making history in 2011 by winning the 9th Phuket Soccer 7s—our first ever title at the prestigious Phuket International Soccer 7s, the Shanghai Lions were back in Thailand this November to defend our colors in the 7th Andaman Soccer 7s (17–18 Nov 2012).
The Phuket International Soccer 7s is Asia’s premier 7-a-side tournament series, attracting amateur teams from across the globe. This year marked our third consecutive participation after debuting in the 8th Phuket Soccer 7s in 2010.
Pre-Tournament: Strategy and… Patong
Thanks to MC and team organizer Charles G., we brought one of our strongest squads ever. Although tragedy struck when Romain H. injured himself just two days before departure, he seamlessly stepped into a coaching role—our first time bringing a dedicated coach to Phuket.
The Lions arrived safely at our villa on Friday night. While “Plan A” was to hydrate, discuss tactics, and prep for matchday, “Plan B” (a lively evening in Patong) proved too tempting for the squad. A short night followed—especially for JLC, who seemed to discover love for the first time.
Day 1 – Mixed Results
Saturday’s group stage began with logistical chaos, thanks to a lost Malaysian driver and some improvisational language skills by JLC’s new “friend.” We opened with a commanding 5-0 win but were then narrowly defeated 2-1 by a tough Russian side. That prompted a tactical rethink: from 2-3-1 to a more balanced 3-2-1 setup. It paid off, as we bounced back with a 1-0 win in the final game of the day.
Day 2 – Knockouts and Heartbreak
We started Sunday strong, winning the first knockout 3-0 and edging out the next round 1-0 to reach the semi-finals. Our opponents—an experienced Middle Eastern side—had history with us, as we had beaten them in last year’s final. Unfortunately, this time, they came out on top after a fast counterattack and a missed penalty on our side. A hard-fought 1-0 loss ended our run.
Off the Pitch – Mustaches & Memories
Despite the semi-final exit, the Lions embraced the spirit of the tournament. Inspired by JLC and his LB companion, the team grew mustaches and celebrated together in style, enjoying a fun-filled final night before flying back to Shanghai.
