Match Review: German-Swiss All Stars vs Singapore Football Club

• DF Erik Zenker
• DF Matthias Bertl
• DF Alex Baesel
• MD Raphael Bissig
• MD Alain von Wattenwyl
• MD Hamza Ben Naceur Gharfane
• MD Nikolai Von Schlippe
• MD Quirin Regensburger
• ST Diyar Mailepessov
• ST Mark Addy
• ST Julian Sander

• DF Adrian Stangl
• MD Gullzar Khan
• MD Frederic Gystol

Match report GSAS vs. SFC With renewed courage GSAS came back from its hibernation. Last year, many hard-fought matches were lost due to a lack of fitness and persistent injuries. For its first game of the year however, our strongest line-up was present : Mark, Julian, Di, Hamza, Alain, Nikolai and Raffa. Absentees were Flo, Peter, Pippo and goalie Said, all notably in our defense. SFC does not need an introduction. The last game against them GSAS lost with the smallest difference: 2-1. The composition of SFC had changed but was still anchored around Andrew Hutcheon, Tim Walter and ex-international Fazrul Nawaz who is reaching his forties. At the beginning of the first half, both teams kept each other in balance, which suddenly was disturbed after minute 6 when a penalty was awarded to SFC. The football Gods had mercy on GSAS - the shot came back off the right post and the rebound went high over. No harm no foul. But it was mere postponement, as GSAS left too much space in its midfield and in the 19th minute Joe Claridge opened the scoring with a beautiful curl in the right goal corner. Undisturbed GSAS went in the offense: Mark Andy's ground shot nearly ended up in the side nets. Yet 5 minutes later GSAS chances fizzled away: a quick combination from SFC sent Nawaz in a clear offside attack. He did not show the same hesitation as the linesman, and it stood 2-0. Shortly after, GSAS’ morale was given a further blow when its top striker Addy fell to the ground in agony reaching for his ankle. He was replaced by Fred, the sole representative of the Belgian Firm. In the second half, GSAS could smell potential in the air, and following some efficient passing with Di and Nicolai, Julian liberated GSAS with its first goal of the year. The chase was on! SFC was well contained and unable to set up any coordinated action. Hence it was with disbelief that GSAS’ players saw Garreau’s shot from the edge of the box ending up in the nets: 3-1. Our goalie ad interim Quirin had no chance. GSAS picked-up where it left off at the beginning. Rain brought some cooling relief and Alain got close to a second goal. Alas, 10 mins before the final whistle the referee pointed once more to the penalty spot for a light offense. This time the Gods did not intervene and Ataku aimed to the right side of the goal. SFC did not relinquish its 4-1 lead anymore. Despite a valiant effort and a solid gameplay, GSAS ultimately lost its first game of the year. This could be due to technical finesse, penalties or a linesman, but our fitness and concentration levels were at par with SFC. This was embodied by MOTM Erik. There must be a critical point though that can change our luck, and we’re all motivated to find it. Hamza stared in the distance and felt like cocooning with Sven Väth later that night. Thank you SFC for a fair play game!