Match Review: FC Nippon vs Gaelic Lions FC

• GK Takaki NAKAMURA
• DF Akihiro HORI
• DF Tom Yoshida
• MD RYOSUKE Nozawa
• MD Seiji TACHIBANA
• MD Ryuhei IKEDA
• MD Shoya MIYASHITA
• -- Seiji DAIKUHARA
• -- Taku NAGAURA
• -- Takuma YAMAGUCHI
• -- Ryuto KIRA

• -- Hiroki SONEHARA

Match report

First Half 0-0 FC Nippon controlled the game, but couldn’t make a goal. The result was 0-0. Second Half 1-1 Lions was attacking well against FC Nippon. They got several free kicks just in front of soccer goal in the FC side though, FC’s DF and the goal keeper saved from the attacks. In 40min, Lions counterattacked as soon as they got the ball by passing by the right side of FC Nippon and the Lions’ FW made a goal. The score turned to 1-0. In 2min, FC Nippon started attacking from the left side. They carried the ball by direct pass to around the penalty area, and Miyashita finally shoot the ball into the side net of the goal. Time was up right after. FC Nippon controlled over the game though, unfortunately the result was draw.

• Rob Church DF
• Ryan Gaughan DF
• Dom Marwood MD
• Lloyd Robertson MD
• Iskandar Björn Radewaldt MD
• Niall Whelan ST
• Shane Buttimer --
• John Kirby --
• Krish Sibal --
• Enda Clarke --
• Allan O'Donahue --

• Wilfried Lapierre DF
• Markus Chua --

Playing a game of football last Saturday

Gaelic Lions season of weirdness continued last Saturday (I am pretending I wrote this on time to avoid a fine from our league overlords) when last Saturday we played against Nippon F.C. last Saturday. On the Saturday just gone we had over 1,000 players missing yet still manged to field a team for the game last Saturday. Recent arrivals to Singapore Niall and Lloyd made their debuts and we also begged and borrowed Enda, John and Ryan from our Sunday team the lovely Rebels and off we went last Saturday. I would be lying if I said we weren't a teeny bit ropey first 15 to 20, as you would expect with so many new faces, but after that we got into our stride and started to play well last Saturday. Nippon had their chances with their left back advancing beyond his left mid pal and causing all sorts of problems but we weathered everything eventually starting to come more and more into the game as the second half wore on. Dom was causing all sorts of bollocks in the middle of the park, breaking things up and generally being a nuisance and with Churchie being pushed into midfield as well meant we were much more solid at the back last Saturday as well. A lovely splitting ball sent Lloyd scampering up the touchline where he carried it into the box committing their center half to advance forward leaving Niall in space to tap-in a goal on his debut and the Lions were 1-0 up last Saturday with a few minutes to hold out. We didn't though! Hah hah #classic with Nippon equalizing with a rather nice goal it has to be said, Miyashita-san spinning and striking an absolute peach into the far top corner from the opposite edge of the box leaving young Krish with no chance. 1-1 and probably a fairer reflection on proceedings, it has to be said #classic Last Saturday was quite the game. Indeed it was. Finally, it was also an emotional day for the Lions with it being the last match for one Shane 'Butters' Buttimer, who has a graced the Lions for the past four years and leaves us with very fond memories such as being sent off for a petulant kick-out at an opponent as recently as three weeks ago. We shall miss you Butters.