After last week’s great start against the Shooters, this Saturday was the time to reaffirm our ambition for the top and the game against Oranje was a must win if we were to remain in our good position. However from past experiences we knew that games against Oranje are always tough ones. We had a small but strong squad of 12 players, including floater Alvaro Roca who helped us out in midfield. We started of course with Shanghai Texan Cody in goal and the defensive line Essien, Seb, Will and Thomas in front of him. Karsten, Luismi, David and Alex formed the midfield, Steve played as number 10 as usual and Tobi was our striker.

We could not have wished for a better start into the game. Out of a solid defensive shape we produced many counter attacks, and already in the 5th minute Steve’s pass reached Tobi who converted for a 1-0 ReUnited lead. Just a few minutes later Luismi played a beautiful long ball on Alex, who came running at full speed. Alex moved into the box and played a flat ball on Tobi who again did not hesitate and put the ball past the keeper – 2-0. We kept our composition and so it was a matter of time until we extended our lead even further. This time it was Steve’s turn and after 24 minutes we were 3-0 ahead. Unluckily Seb Kühn still had some rib injury from last week so he had to finish the game at this point. Essien took his position with David moving on the fullback position, while Alvaro played from that time in midfield. We did not allow many chances, but in minute 37 Oranje were awarded a free kick close to the box. Roger Jackson took the ball and put the ball directly in the upper right corner of the goal – a beautiful free kick goal. However we did not get disturbed by this but extended our lead again. Just three minutes later it was again Tobi who scored his third of the day.

Second half started like the first one. Just minutes into the half Alex converted a cross from the left side with the head and it was 5-1. But again Oranje struck back and so it was 5-2 already in minute 50. We played counter attack football now and did so very successfully by creating chance after chance. Yet there was some confusion among the referee team about what constitutes an offside. So it took a few attempts until Steve finally made it 6-2. The game was still a hard fight though and we allowed the opponent more chances than we usually do. So it was a lucky ball that fell to Oranje’s rock Tom Jansen who somehow put the ball in goal for a 6-3. With no substitute left we kept on fighting, cramping, scoring (an offside goal), taking some hits, but managing to keep the score even and winning a turbulent game 6-3. Since the Lions won against Shooters on the same day the gap on the top remains unchanged, while we extended the distance to third place. Next week we expect another hard fight against Long Tang before the top game against Lions in two weeks’ time.