After the great performance in the Hebiguchi Cup Semifinal against Lions in April, we were determined to secure another cup final spot in the SIFL Cup. The opponent that day in the Songjiang Sport Centre Stadium was DIB, who are one of the strongest sides in the league.

Even though some regular players like Seb Kühn, Adam Kling, Luismi Ramos or Alex Pozhar were missing, we had a strong squad together. We started with our classic 4-2-3-1 formation, with Chris Steen and Joe Williams starting on the wings, Mandela upfront, Steve, Eitel and Karsten in central midfield, and Hajo, Will, Niklas and Thomas in defence. In goal Cody Ahlstrom gave his comeback after a 1-match ban.

DIB started furiously and played a tactics we have seen in previous games against them, namely playing precise long balls from the midfield on their fast wingers. During the first 15 minutes we were sometimes struggling to find our composure, we managed to keep our heads up though and gained ground by the minute. However DIB managed to take the lead through a standard situation: after a corner from the left side one of DIB’s wingers managed to place a header skilfully in the upper right corner of the goal – unstoppable for both Cody and Hajo on the goal line. Nevertheless we kept our fighting spirit and played stronger and stronger during first half. After a beautiful solo by Eitel in Midfield, Mandela received the ball and was just an instant too late to convert it into the equaliser.

0-1 it was still at halftime, and in the second half not much changed. It was a tight game that took largely place in midfield, without too many clear chances on both sides. About 20 minutes into the second half then, our hopes to turn the game around received a serious blow. DIB came fast over the right side and managed to get a flat pass in the area of the penalty spot. Instead of a direct finish they passed it on one more time, and their uncovered winger converted – 0-2. It was all or nothing now. We kept pushing for the goal to bring us back into the game, but our efforts were not rewarded. With floater Sergio Parla and Dennis Poersel we also tried to bring some fresh forces. However, during a period of high pressure and risk-taking one of the DIB counter attacks was stopped by a foul inside the penalty area by Hajo, and the referee swiftly pointed to the spot. DIB’s Didier Njewel took responsibility, but slightly misplaced the ball and it bounced back from the left post. We kept pushing but close to the end the final verdict was inevitable: another counter-attack via the left side was finished with a clean shot by one of DIB’s wingers and the ball was bouncing in the net for a third time that day, which sealed the deal for DIB.

Despite the disappointment in the end it was a good fight, and we are looking forward to strike back in the next league games against DIB. Later that afternoon then we enjoyed another another great bus ride through Shanghai Saturday afternoon traffic jams, followed by a cozy afternoon with burgers and beers in the Grand Yard. Even later then we said farewell to former ReU and current 3U player Henrik Storm, who will leave Shanghai for Japan later this week. Japan should prepare for a thunderstorm ahead.