On a beautiful, sunny day in Waigaoqiao with minimal pollution, 3United put on their battle gear to take on their cousin club, Shanghai United. With only 12 players and a history of close, physical games with United, the game was definitely not going to be a walk in the park.

The first half was a battleground of physicality, high speed winds, uneven patches of hard ground and a myriad of attacks launched against both defensive lines. Both teams were eager to get a first half goal but it seems it just wasn’t written in the stars. 3United has 2 or 3 good chances while United had 1 or 2 shots on goal but neither side were able to convert and get themselves onto the scoreboard. The first half ended 0-0.

In the second half, 3United came out dominating, consistently defending and pushing through the United ranks. Around the 60th minute, Armando Chiu was finally able to break the stalemate for 3U by receiving a short corner-kick near the near-post, shooting it across goal on his first touch and having it end spinning in the back of the net for the first goal of the game. United found a second wind after conceding the goal and for the next ten minutes really tested the 3U midfield and backline looking for an equalizer. The 3U defense however, was solid and dealt with all offensive threats despite some dangerous looking attacks. The momentum of the game tipped back to 3United and with 15 minutes left to play, Kenny Barnabee received a loose ball in the United box and left footed a grounding ball into goal to seal the 3United lead. Even with two more league matches left in the season, a win for 3United vs United here would mean that they would secure their place above the relegation zone from the Premier Division. When the final whistle blew, they were flooded with elation and pride that all of the hard work they had put in this season to stay competitive in a higher division of play was rewarded. Final score 3United 2, United 0.

Man of the match: Derek Yesionowski
Club record: Kenny Barnabee, only 14, sets a record for the youngest player to score a goal for the ReUnited club in competitive play