Match Review: International Lions FC vs 1TM Latini FC

• DF Nordine Talhi
• DF Oussama Labib
• DF Pierre Colin
• DF Adam Xu
• DF Raphael Froberger
• MD Affian
• MD Ismail Bardach
• MD Nicolas Beninger
• ST Robert Eziakor
• -- Hugo D'Inca
• -- Tiago Da Cruz

• GK Hector Courqueux
• MD Nor Irfan

Int'l were ready to face ex-champions latini in what they knew would be a tough battle. Nonetheless, we still believed in ourselves and our chances as it's only a matter of time before things click for this new team. Latini started well and after a corner not cleared properly, Latini opened the score 1-0, with the striker running to the center of the pitch as it if were the 90min and latini were down. We knew what to expect, Latini battling it out with SFC and needing a wide and large victory. But we were ready. The remaining of the 45min saw Latini hold possession in their half but and having a couple of chances, but Int'l Lions were playing well and almost close to coming back after a brilliant play starting from their own half and ending with a shot in front of the keeper. At half time, we knew we would have our chances if we were able to keep the same intensity, which we actually managed to do for the second half. Latini kept pushing and after a clear foul on the win not given by the ref, were clinical in transition with Sharples finishing. Shortly after, Leo the brazilian added a 3rd one. Tough battle but a good game against a strong and full Latini squad. MOM Latini - Jacob for missing an open goal after dribbling the keeper. You know the one where you try to shoot but miss completely the ball and then your whole body get dismembered and you fall flat on the ground. Thanks Jacob for not scoring against us for the last 2 games against you guys

• Pete O'Brien GK
• Charlie Stark DF
• Jonathan Cloak DF
• Hiromitsu Nakaue DF
• Ben Tomlinson DF
• Sam Balls MD
• Jamie Roberts MD
• Nathan Bryer MD
• Luke Townsend ST
• Jacob Saurin ST
• Mike Sharples ST

• Taishi Fukuda DF
• George Parrott MD
• Jamie Townsend MD
• Leo Rocha ST

The latest installment of 1TM football saw us take on International Lions in the 3pm kickoff at Turf City. Despite their league position, the Cosmo new boys have been putting in some good performances lately and the general consensus is that it’s only a matter of time before they click. Cue Tally Team Talk Bingo with key phrases such as ‘banana skin’, ‘potential slip up’ and ‘am I being unfair?’ to guarantee some lucrative prizes (Harry’s vouchers). With work commitments and injuries scuppering match selection plans, the squad was delighted to welcome back Nate, Caramba and Doc who were all making their first appearances of the season. 1TM made a bright start and scored within the first couple of minutes. A 1TM cross was cut out by International Lions on the edge of the box. As the defender tried to clear, Nate was on hand to win the ball back, then battled in a tight space with a bit of grit and an outrageous piece of skill to thread it through a defender’s legs to create a yard of space. From just inside the box, Thailand’s newest export drilled a clean strike that fizzed across and away from the ‘keeper’s dive and into the far corner. Nate produced a slightly bemused celebration, but was mobbed by the rest of the team nonetheless. 1-0. For the remainder of the first half, we played well and created chances as we looked a threat most times we went forward. The ball just didn’t drop for us. It almost did from a corner when Pig Snake’s goal bound header evaded the keeper which was then flicked onto the underside of the bar by Duplo’s outstretched leg. Lions had their own chances but were up against a stubborn 1TM defence that kept them at bay. HT 1-0 Lions continued to make life difficult for 1TM and it almost got a whole lot tougher when the Lions scored a header only for it to be ruled offside. That was a catalyst for 1TM to bring more quality into our game. On 60 minutes, a Lions breakaway was well cut out by the Townsend brothers with both doing well to snuff out the chance. Lego then laid the ball off to Ballsy and our midfield maestro played a great ball over the top for Sharples to sprint onto and he completed the move with an excellent finish. 2-0 1TM could have extended our lead further but the woodwork, goalkeeper and an unfortunate slip by Pig Snake after he had done well to create an open goal to surely score. In the end it took some Brazilian magic from Caramba on 85 minutes to improve our goal tally. Sharples did well to bring the ball inside and square to Caramba, who then shifted his feet to lose his man and delivered a curling effort into the top corner from 20 yards. 3-0. A solid performance from 1TM against a really good opponent in International Lions. Huge thanks to the team of officials and the support from Cow, Taishi San, Tinks and Team Lego. MOM Lions - Number 12 MOM 1TM - Nate DOD - Pig Snake