The first gameweek after the Chinese new year holiday saw us in another top-level game vs. the Lions. We brought a massive squad of 19 players for that game. Our hopes were high and we started the game well by pushing Lions deep into their half. Our efforts were rewarded soon when Mandela got fouled in the box and the referee did not hesitate to point to the penalty spot. It was Tobi who took the responsibility and made it 1-0 for us. Just minutes later Tobi received the ball on the right side of the pitch and played a long cross over into the left side of the box. Adam came running full speed and converted with a fine touch to make it 2-0. However, soon after that our game lost a bit of our initial momentum. After a corner kick from the left side we left Lions fullback Francois unmarked and he headed it into the net to make it 2-1. After a freekick by Lions playmaker Azzedine the ball was headed by Dani towards the goal line. Lions defender Fabien was waiting on the line which looked offside to us, but he put the ball from there into the net and the linesman did not seem to agree with our judgement (his casual chatter with bystanders seemed to be equally important to him like our game). Lions then got another close chance with Cody saving Benji’s effort in a one-on-one, but the scoreline stayed 2-2 at half time.
In second half there were chances created on both sides, but no more goals were scored. There was also some controversy now on the other side after a foul close to the box line. While Lions claimed a penalty the referee gave a free kick, yet the shot went wide of the goal. After another couple of good chances like Tobi’s shot on crossbar, a ReUnited last-second save on the goal line and a close shot from 5 meters by Mandela into the keepers arms the game was over and the draw felt very much like a loss to us. Nevertheless we will have our chance 2 weeks later again when we face Lions in the semifinal of the Hebiguchi cup