Match Review: Olympique Gaulois Singapore vs Gaelic Lions FC

• GK Mohammed Keraine
• DF Francois Pannetier
• DF Arnaud Darde
• DF Inaki Moreno
• DF Ivan Gosio
• MD Francois Bazin
• MD Jean-Baptiste (JB) Bois
• MD Amine Cherif
• MD Santiago Sanguinetti
• ST Eric Clermont
• -- Matthieu Ginestet

• DF Natnael Getu
• DF Nordine Talhi
• MD Unni Kazhakkumara
• -- Julien Paublant

Frustration but promising future

After a promising draw last week OGS gathered determined to bag the 3 points. Coach Quim message was all about being compact and move the ball quickly against a physical Gaellic team. Game started quite well. Strong midfield battle with Math, Francois and Amine fighting hard to gain ball control. This allowed our wingers to create some opportunities. Following a defensive mistake from the Gaellic back line Francois had a golden 1-1 opportunity but missed to convert it. We barely conceded any occasion behind with our back 4 strongly managing Gaellic attacks but finally got punished on a corner kick. 1-0 at half time. Coach Quim reassuring words gave the team the right mindset from the start of the second half and quite quickly Francois found Eric who brought us back in the game. That was not enough for him and with a great pressure from JB, Eric showed again his amazing efficiency to put us in front. Unfortunately young Julien fell into Gaellic provocation trap being sent of. 35min to play at 10-11. With fresh blood with Nono, Unni and Nati OGS showed great character. The latter under Inaki’s command and decisive stops from Momo were on fire. We even could have closed the game with 2 big opportunities for Nono. Unfortunately at the last minute we again failed to secure a cross second ball and Gaellic found their equaliser. Two games in a row, where we feel we could have won, create this frustration feeling but overall the team showed great spirit which call for promising results. Thanks to the Gaellic for a very tough battle and thanks to the referee for managing the game fairly

• Shailer Thomas GK
• Liam McGinley DF
• Will Sexton DF
• Chris Leighton MD
• Adam Smith MD
• Dom Marwood MD
• Stephen Swords MD
• Sean Flanagan ST
• Ronan O Boyle ST
• Chris Keay --
• Allan O'Donahue --

• Wilfried Lapierre DF
• Lloyd Robertson MD
• Daire Flanagan ST
• Joe O Sullivan ST

Officially Friday

Normally finish the report by thanking the officials for a well run game and that is generally the case but whilst in the main this was a well run game unfortunately what I perceived to be a massive referring mistake (in my non trained official opinion) changed the face of the game. At 1-1 with a strong response from Gaelic to the OGS well worked equalizer and with Llyod running freely into the OGS Penalty area got clipped only for the ref to Play advantage????? Last time I checked there is a word created specifically for such instances and it's called a PENALTY. OGS did take full ADVANTAGE went up the pitch and with Gaelic still scratching our heads OGS duly went 2-1 up about 15 seconds later. Thankfully the Gaelic boys on the Pitch had a much more professional response then myself as I spent most of the remainder of the game ranting and raving on the sidelines. Gaelic then did our helpful yet irritating habit of playing our best ball from behind. There where chances for both sides after that but eventually the equaliser did come at the death from our MOM Ronan who has been a brilliant addition to the team and delighted, he got his well-deserved debut goal in the nick of time for the club. Ironically as the Gaelic Boys got to celebrate, I was at my quietest on the line for the last gasp draw. Numb to the whole occasion by this stage and a shame to really take away absolutely nothing from a game that was brilliantly fought between two very good sides. Thanks to Francois and the OGS lads , there number 14 (I think was Inaki) gets the nod of opposition MOM he was brilliant throughout but fair play to OGS who had competitive skillful players all over the park. Genuinely thanks to Urs and the officials, I know there was absolutely nothing but best intention to run a really good game which they did for the majority and the reality in truth is that I am a small bitter little man but that decision as you can tell just doesn't sit right with me.