Senior team let victory slip up vs. Azzurri FC
We had an early kick at 09:00 AM on Saturday and were facing previous years Champions Azzurri. Azzurri FC is a well organized team who have been playing together for many years and for us half of the team are new players so we are still struggling a bit in the details during the matches. For this reason we opted to sit back first and tried to keep a clean sheet as long as we could.
In the first 10 minutes Azzurri played very well and dominated the midfield with their fast and direct passing. Tim had to make a couple of saves and we tried to get a couple of counter attacks. Peter did manage to set Toby free at the end of the box and he tried to lob the ball over the outcoming keeper but his effort was stopped.
We went into half time 0-0 and made a couple of changes but played with the same tactic. We played better and managed to keep longer spells of possession and hardly gave anything away. The reward came when we combined well on the right between Ryan our youth player and Peter and we managed to put Song free in front of the Azzuri keeper and he didn’t hesitate to score at that time our deserved lead.
While we were still celebrating when Azzurri quickly pushed forward and came close to score soon after Tim had to make a full stretch save to get the ball out with the help of the post.
With 15 minutes to go a great thru ball from Song put Toby right in front of the Azzurri keeper and maybe he was a bit surprised to have so much space but when he thought he scored the keeper got a hand to it. It was a pity as 2-0 up with 15 minutes to go would have been perfect… As it goes in football, if you fail to score on one end the opponent will show you how to score!
With 5 minutes on the clock, Azzurri FC managed to get a free kick at a dangerous spot at the edge of the middle of the box and their captain had no problem putting the ball in the right corner.
[ SIFL ] Shanghai Lions FC 1-1 Azzurri FC
When the final whistle came we were disappointed not being able to take the three points but we have no time for sorrow as next Saturday ReUnited is waiting the current leader in the league.
Cheers
Freek