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

• DF Wilfried Lapierre
• DF Will Sexton
• MD Jean-Baptiste Bois
• MD Rich Sexton
• -- Conor King
• -- Ryan McEneaney
• -- Shane Buttimer
• -- Anders Jensen
• -- Scott Hooper
• -- Matt McCole
• -- Simon Lloyd

• DF Liam McGinley
• MD Stephen Swords
• -- Neil Corrigan
• -- James Devane
• -- Tadhg Lowe

New Year Honors Even.

Well after a month long break and Christmas turkey, with all the trimmings, the second half of season got underway with a hard fought draw against GAS. As is the case with every game in the Cosmo League , it was an intense battle between two teams who left nothing on the pitch. Unfortunately i was late for the start, but made up for it with my customary screaming and shouting from the touch-line. It sounded as though it was a pretty even affair for the first 20 minutes but after that the boys starting to get a bit of rhythm. We took the lead from a corner after good work down the right hand side forced the GAS defender to put the ball out of play after a string of attacks down both flanks. The corner from JB was simply outstanding and Ryan McEneany rose like a salmon and the ball hit the back of the net like a bullet. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to shore up the defense, we got done by a sucker punch, very much against the run of play. To be fair to the boys they went again and after good work from Matty McCole, his shot on goal was blocked by two GAS defenders into the path of Conor King who slotted home with a great finish. The equalizer was a bit of a blur and i'm gonna stock my neck out and say that with the help of VAR, the goal wouldn't have stood! The less said about that the better. We pushed for a winner and had several chances to score but it was not meant to be. I would like to give special mention to Scott Hooper who ran his socks off. he has become an integral part of this club and i have no doubt he will get better and more influential in the weeks and seasons to come. The key thing is we remain unbeaten in the league at our home ground at UWC Tampines and the boys are itching to get out there again against 1TM on Friday night. To GAS, i say thanks for a great game and apologies for my over exuberance. I love this club, i love the league, i love the banter and i love winning. #FTM

• Matthias Bertl DF
• Hamza Ben Naceur Gharfane MD
• Paul Le Helloco MD
• Diyar Mailepessov ST
• Josef Weber --
• Victor Walz --
• Florian Gädke --
• Bastian Wolff --
• Jan Wiechmann --
• Mishel Knezovic --
• Joe Giani --

• Laurent Brutsch DF
• Mauricio Roa --
• Talant Begaliev --
• Michael Klemm --

A positive result that earned 1 point to the GSAS in a match that could have gone either way

A positive result that earned 1 point to the GSAS in a match that could have gone either way. For the first game after the Christmas break, the GSAS managed to assemble a good line-up with Joe in goal, a solid central defence with Madse and Flo; Victor, this time employed defensively on the left and Seppi on the right. A very experienced midfield with Jan and Basti W patrolling the centre and Mitch on the right. Completing the midfield on the left, Paul, a former Swiss FC player on his debut with GSAS. Finally, upfront the heavy weight strikers Hamza and Di. On the bench ready to get into action Talant, Laurent, Mauricio and Micha. The game started well for the GSAS, taking control of the match with a number of dangerous conclusions and set pieces but were unable to convert and open the score sheet. Lions were also dangerous in few occasions, with their fast counter attacks and long balls. About 20 min into the game, GSAS conceded 3 corner kicks in a row and the Lions took full advantage of their third attempt and scored the opener with a great header by their player. In the following 10 min, the Lions had more initiative but the GSAS managed to level the score with a great passing upfront finished by a brilliant razor shot by Paul. The game went on without major dangers on both side but few minutes before the break, a defensive distraction left a Lions player free to shoot and score. Lions were leading 2-1 at half time. The second half started with less intensity and more nerves, perhaps feeling the effect of the fatigue after the Christmas break. GSAS were still hardly seeking the equaliser and after a good play from the midfield, Di stroke a diagonal shot, which was deflected by the Lions' defender. At first, the ball seemed to be saved before crossing the line but after consulting the “VAR” the referee awarded the goal. GSAS maintained control of the game and had some great chances to score the winner, especially with Jan, whose effort hit the crossbar. The substitutions injected new force in the last quarter of the game and helped contain the dangerous counterattacks by the Lions. A final scare for the GSAS in the dying minutes of the match, a shot from just outside the box was first saved by Joe and then kicked away by Flo but eventually it was off side. At the end, a positive result for the GSAS team to boost the moral at the restart of the campaign. Great game by Paul for his contribution and his goal. Man of the Match to Madse for his fighting spirit and holding off the dangerous Lions strikers.