After getting promoted to the Premier Division, Shanghai 3United knew to expect a whole new league of football play and were not disappointed drawing the reigning league champions of 3 years, the Shanghai Lions, for the first game of the 2016 season. Nervousness and anxiousness were common feelings throughout the 3U warmup on Saturday morning, but it was up to them to either turn that into something productive on the field or to let it eat into their play. Fortunately for 3United, they were able to pull that nervous energy together, turned it into great teamplay, executed clinical football and showed that they deserve a shot in the premier division of the SIFL.

The Lions won the toss and once the whistle blew, the game was off in full-force and never let up. The Lions were continually pressuring the 3United defense for the first ten minutes but the 3U back line was solid all across the half and dealt with every attack the Lions threw at them. It was then that 3U was able to find their rhythm and find some momentum pushing forward trading attacks with the Lions. The defense, midfield and forwards were linking up nicely throughout all areas of the pitch and things were looking optimistic to getting some shots on goal. 3United were finally able to break through the Lions defense from a goal kick from trialist goalkeeper, Cody Alhstrom. He hammered a ball down the right side of the field over the heads of the Lions defense to the feet of Joe Williams, who took a clinical touch to push it towards the corner. Williams then turned on a dime and blasted a low cross across the Lions box to Nick Law, making a run near the keeper’s box, who smashed his first touch past the diving keeper for the first score of the game. The Lions kept the pressure up looking for an equalizer, but the 3U midfield and defense kept them in check for the rest of the half, letting them only have one shot on goal the entire half. 3U also had a few more shots on goal before the end of the half but the Lions were able to deal with those cleanly. Half time score: 1-0 to 3United.

As expected, the second half started with the Lions pressuring the 3United squad hard on all fronts. But once again, the defense showed their worth and barely allowed a shot to be taken. This battle raged on for another 15 minutes with 3United slowly earning back ball possession and were finally able to take the wind out of the Lions’ sails with a second goal. Gordy Oneil won a ball down the right flank and gave a grounding throughball to Joe Williams, who was once again threatening down the right wing. Almost movement for movement from the first goal assist, he smacked a cross to Oraz Arslanow, who was just arriving from the left wing, and without hesitation Arslanow volleyed the ball into the back of the net leaving the keeper with no chance to react. The Lions made a valiant effort to get at least one goal back but the momentum was on 3United’s side for the remaining minutes of the half. The game ended with a final score of 3United 2, Lions 0.

 

Man of the match honors went to Pablo Carbonero for 3United.