Last Saturday was our fourth matchday in the SIFL and our oppenent was Long Tang FC. Long Tang had played a convincing 2013/14 season in the 1st division and finished on top of the table, which resulted in promotion to the premier league for this season. We knew them from two encounters in both SIFL cup and Hebiguchi cup last year, which we both managed to win. Nevertheless we were aware of their quality and knew that it would be a tough match.
Due two last week’s red cards for Alex and Hajo and the subsequent 1-match bans and some more missing players, we had to adapt our team a little. We started with Cody in goal, Will, Seb, Thomas and Essien in defense, Karsten and Luismi in holding midfield, Volker and Zach on the wings, Stevie in offensive midfield and Tobi upfront. Dennis had finally recovered from illness and together with Daniel Messing started as sub. For Volker it was a special day as it was his last match for ReUnited before returning to Europe on Tuesday (we do hope it will only be a temporary leave).
The game got off to a very good start for us. In the second minute Karsten kicked a corner ball right in the centre of the box, where Tobi headed the ball skillfully in the net and put us 1-nil ahead. We controlled the game pretty well in the first half and after 24 minutes Tobi took the ball from a defender close to the halfway line, dribbled towards the goal and added another goal for us to the scoreboard. Then close to half time Zach played a beautiful long cross from the far left side to the right side of the box, where Tobi was in the right spot again and made it 3-0. A hattrick for Tobi and his 7th goal in the 4th league game. This is the result we went into halftime with.
Shortly after the game started again Long Tang managed to get back into the game though. One of their quick counter attacks made it past our defense line and suddenly it was only 3-1 for us. Long Tang felt their chance now and in a move that looked clearly like an offside the referee’s whistle remained silent, allowing Long Tang to get another goal back and reducing our lead to 3-2. After this we managed to take control of the game again. However, none of our attacks resulted in a goal so the score stayed the same until the last minute of the game. Then however, desaster struck. Long Tang got awarded a corner ball from the left side and their striker jumped higher than anybody else, putting the ball right underneath the crossbar for a 3-3. Just seconds later the referee ended the game and we left the pitch with a feeling like we lost the game, giving away a 3-0 lead.
Nevertheless, still unbeaten after four games with 8 points we are in a comfortable position and now all our focus turns to the next big game this Saturday, when we will face last year’s champion Puxi Lions in a battle for 1st place.
Last but not least we wish our teammate Volker all the best in his new endeavors in Europe!
