The year of the sheep has started and finally we are back in action! Actually the spring season was supposed to start already with the SIFL cup last weekend (as it did for 3U who advanced by beating HStone FC – congrats to our brothers!). But for once ze Germans screwed up planning and punctuality which made Shanghai Krauts miss the game against us – and thus handing us a non-playing automatic advance in the cup. A pity, as we were very much looking forward to the game, but our focus is already back on the league and the next cup rounds.

Last Saturday we locked horns for the fourth time this season with Japan FC. The first three encounters were all very successful for us (7-0, 4-1, 5-1) so we were of course determined to continue the row and keep the gap to the top position small or even decrease it. We had a big squad with several new faces for this important match. We started as usual with Cody in goal and the defense line was Thomas, Will, Essien and Ronald. In the midfield Adam gave his comeback on the wing, Luismi and Xiao Liu started in defensive midfield and Rob Parfait on the right wing. Steve played number 10, while Tobi was our starting striker. As subsitutes we had two more great comebacks with Eitel and Zach, plus our newcomers Glenn Connelly, Iñigo Arrieta and Sebastian Andersson.

The game started as we had hoped for. We created pressure with fast attacks, while our midfield and defense did not allow Japan to get too close to our box. Pretty early in the game Robert out-dribbled a Japanese defender on the right side of the box and passed into the middle, where Adam converted for the first goal of the day – a good comeback, or so we thought. However he turned out to be thirsty for more that day. Soon afterwards Steve played a pass from the center to Adam who sprinted down the left side, took a shot from short angle and made it 2-0. There were more attacks rolling and Sebastian Anderson almost got to score in his first match, however the referee disallowed the goal for unknown reasons. Apart from set pieces Japan did not create too much danger. Yet it was one of these in the last minute before halftime that brought them back into the game. After a challenge by Glenn the referee decided penalty and Japan converted for a 2-1 halftime score.

In second half Japan pressed more into our half, which kept especially our defensive midfielders Lusimi, Xiao Liu and Eitel very busy. But much like in the first half, Japan did not get too close to our box. On the other side we were still creating chances with our fast offensive gameplay. These efforts were rewarded when Tobi took a shot from distance that got deflected by a Japanese defender. The keeper had no chance and the ball went into the net for a 3-1 lead. We kept the speed in the game and not much later Adam was again on the spot and scored after a pass from Tobi. After another Tobi assist Adam completed his dream-comeback with a shot from the left side into the goal, scoring his 4th of the day. It looked like we had sealed the deal for the day, however another set piece brought Japan closer again. After a free kick from 25 meters the ball bounced to Japan’s striker inside the box, who put the ball behind Cody to make it 5-2. Yet we kept our offensive efforts up and it was Stevie Wonder who scored our last goal of the day with a beautiful high shot from distance inside the far post. Japan managed to score another goal after a failed clearance after a free kick, however there was no danger to our victory anymore and the game ended 6-3. Further good news arrived a few hours later when we heard that current leader Lions drew against Azzurri, meaning that the gap to the top spot in the league is now only 3 points, with 6 games left to play in the league.