Match Review: German-Swiss All Stars vs International Lions FC

• GK Aravind Mohan
• DF Peter Farfeleder
• DF Marius Merkel
• DF Stephan Schmotzer
• MD Hafizz Bin Mohd Akebal
• MD Manuel Wiggl
• MD Hamza Ben Naceur Gharfane
• MD Quirin Regensburger
• MD Robert Jakobs
• MD Luc Brem
• MD Theo Osterwalder

• DF Marius Teich
• MD Gullzar Khan
• ST Mark Addy

GSAS fielded a strong team for this league game expecting a tough match against International Lions on account of their last encounter. GSAS coaches decided to play with a 3-5-2 formation to counter, opponents’ style of play based on midfield prowess. Both teams started of playing cautiously, probing the defence lines for an opening. From the kick-off, GSAS understood the threat posed upfront from their opponent striker, who was quick on his feet & making runs behind our defence lines. Soon enough on the 5th minute, a small one-two passing by the opponent team, found their striker 1v1 with our GK which led to the first goal. The GSAS team quickly organised, mustered their midfield in response to this quick goal. This move closed the space for opponents in midfield and made it difficult for them from playing the ball out through centre of the pitch. The opponents quickly shifted the gameplay to play long aerial balls to their wingers, who started to make runs behind our three men back line with the opponent striker tightly marked by our CB’s. This led to the 2nd goal, which came for a closed range header, after a perfect cross from the right wing found the opponent striker. GSAS retaliated to this 2-goal deficit with our own long aerial & through balls from GSAS midfield which found Hamza, the danger man who broke into it into the opponent’s box twice from left wing but could not find the target with his powerful shots just missing the target. The last 15 mins of the first half, saw the opponents trying to increase their lead but the GSAS defence and GK made crucial saves to keep us in the game. GSAS conceded a 3rd goal just before the 2nd half ended on the 40th minute. The 2nd half, GSAS decided to change the formation to 4-4-2 to counter the threat from the opponent wingers and, to provide more cover for the defence line. This strategy helped with stabilizing the back line and giving our midfielders Theo, Luca more chances at breaking up the opponents play, winning more balls/duels in the midfield and keeping ball possession for GSAS. This change of formation also gave GSAS the added advantage to use Hafiz & Quirin as inverted full backs driving the ball from building from the back into midfield, which saw more of our long aerial crosses reaching the opponent box, forcing the opponents CBs to defend deep. The opponents scored again on the 58th & 70th minute to end the game at full time with a 5-0 defeat for GSAS. The 2nd half proved that this GSAS can put up a fight and displayed their resilience in the pitch by giving the opponents a tough game. MoM GK Aravind for his incredible saves, DoD Robert for two wrong throw-ins and neglectance of shin pads

• Antoine Angonetti GK
• Raynal Singh DF
• Oussama Labib DF
• Pierre Colin DF
• Lionel Kong MD
• Nicolas Beninger MD
• Tim Cheong MD
• Ismail Bardach MD
• Amine Cherif MD
• David Park ST
• Jack Bellengi ST

• Pablo Tougard DF
• Sivarajam ST

We continue on our way

The opening minutes were tightly contested, with both teams battling hard for possession Our opponents maintained a solid defense, and we struggled initially to break through even we scored after 10 minutes, giving us the confidence to push further. Despite the goal, the opposing team remained tenacious, pressing us high and forcing us to stay on our toes. Germans playing with 3 players at the back, we tried to played behind them and use spaces for our winger... We scored 2 more goals just before the half time to secured a comfortable 3-0. The second half started much like the first, with our opponents still fighting hard, they changed the formation with 4 players at the back, However, their intense efforts took a toll on their stamina, and gaps began to open up. We capitalized on these spaces and scored 3 more goals in the second half. Although the scoreboard might suggest a dominant performance, every goal was hard-earned, and we were constantly aware of the threat the opposing team posed. Though the final score reads 6-0 in our favor, this match was anything but easy. A good start of our season with 2 wins and one draw in the league. We wish our Germans friends a good season ahead and all the best. MOM for Lions : Amine who is leaving Singapore for good, we wish him all the best for his future and he knows that we were grateful to have him with us.