3United climbed the SIFL cup ladder to reach the penultimate stage vs Japan FC in the semi-final on Saturday, May 6th. In the past two meetings in the league, Japan had come out on top in both matches – 3United was ready to end that losing streak as well as to make history and make it to the cup final.
The match started at a fast pace right out of the starting gates. Japan were using their overlapping runs and 2-touch football to try and find a hole in the 3U defense, while 3U was pressuring hard down the wings looking for a dangerous opening. The intensity continued to ratchet up during the first half and at about 30 minutes finally resulted in the first goal. ReUnited youth player, Leo Kwon, received the ball in the enemy half outside the box, touched past one defender then turned another two entering the box looking for a shot opportunity. Kwon was fouled and earned a penalty for 3United where Nick Law, penalty technician, clinically put the ball away into the netting for the first goal of the game. The play continued to go from one end of the field to the other with 3United seeing some dangerous chances but when the half time whistle blew, the score remained at 1-0 to 3U.
In the second half, 3United continued their excellent team display, dominated the midfield and cleared all of Japan’s attacks. At the hour marker, 3United fought through the Japanese defense and increased their lead to 2. Law received a pass from Amine Hammadi outside the opponent box, struck it sweetly from 35 meters out, and had it sail cross-box into the top right corner of the goal for his brace. Soon afterwards, Hammadi popped a short lob into the Japan box where Josh Chilean was waiting to send it into the corner of the goal to increase 3U’s lead once again. Despite being down by 3 goals, Japan did not relent and was able to net a header off a cross into the top corner of the goal to reduce 3U’s lead to 2. However, this came in the last minute of the game and shortly after the next kick-off the final whistle was blown. 3U with a well-deserved win was the victor this Saturday and will advance to the SIFL Cup final for the first time in club history. Final score: 3-1, 3United-Japan.
Man of the match: Joe Williams
