Match Review: International Lions FC vs FC Nippon

• DF Charif Taieb
• DF Oussama Labib
• DF Raphael Froberger
• DF Ilzan Faris
• MD Nicolas Beninger
• ST Ashwin Kalaichelvan
• ST Anthony Gonzales
• ST Robert Eziakor
• -- Ulysse Postel-Vinay
• -- Tiago Da Cruz
• -- Hugo D'Inca

• MD Thélonious Linden
• -- Noe Chini

SPANISH MAFIA

The International Lions gathered this week against the Japanese CORRECT Spanish mafia Los Int'l Lions sabían que los japoneses habían sido un oponente difícil y que producían el mejor fútbol de la liga en los días buenos. ¡También sabíamos que tendríamos oportunidades y estábamos listos para asumir el desafío! El partido comenzó con el “Gordo Kike” encontrando espacios detrás de las líneas y encontrándose en un mano a mano que llevó al primer gol. Después de un par de incidentes entre viejos amigos Kike y Ouss, el juego continuó con los Lions internacionales reaccionando bien y con una buena preparación, encontrando a Ashwin detrás de las líneas para empatar. Al regresar del medio tiempo, los Int'l Lions lograron mantener la presión con Ashwin, una vez más, presionando bien arriba y siendo derribado en el área. 2-1 y empezamos a creer. Desafortunadamente, con muchos jóvenes en el equipo, no pudimos mantener la intensidad y, al no tener suficiente experiencia, comenzamos a decaer y encajamos demasiados goles. 4-2 al final. ¡Volvemos la semana que viene contra Latini! Thank you to the japanese for a good game and looking forward to the next one early december!

• Kotaro Hayashi DF
• Katsumi Oku DF
• Enrique Sanchez MD
• Hiroki NARABAYASHI MD
• Javier Calvo MD
• Ashwin Unnithan MD
• Ryuhei IKEDA MD
• Kento Joko --
• Seito Yachimoto --
• Shota Adachi --
• Marcos Mata --

• Osamu Akao DF
• Jaume Ferrer MD
• Mokchan Kim ST
• Satoshi Hiraku --
• Jun Nishiyama --

Good Saturday after all

The Japanese - Spanish team started the match with a great squad and the future looked bright after Kike scoring a beautiful early opening goal having assistance from Nara's accurate long ball. However, there was a kind of loose mood within the team and the defense became less tight, allowing the young Int lion members to control the midfield. The ball went back and forth with no team taking a strong initiative, but in the last minute of the first half, the Int Lion managed to get back in the game by scoring a short counter attack. In the half time, the managers tried to wake up the team but what actually woke up the team was a penalty kick in the first few minutes into the second half. From a miss pass by the defender, Nippon almost allowed a forward being 1on1 with Joko, the young keeper. The keeper tried to scoop the ball out from the leg but the attacker was slightly earlier to reach the ball and it caused a crash. Penalty kick (and a yellow card). Nippon was punished by a calm finish and it became 1-2. This finally let the team to change and make a move. The team reacted vividly and started to put strong pressure and make threats. A few minutes later, from a curly cross by Shota, Marcos fired a great shot and equalized. It was then followed by Kike. The Spanish attacker got the ball in Nippon's court and made a quick counter attack with an awesome pass exchange with Jaume, another Spanish addition to the team. Having received a critical pass from Jaume, Kike just had to roll it into the goal. 3-2. The Japanese - Spanish never stopped and kept putting strong pressure on Int Lions. This resulted in another goal by Nisshy and the final score was 4-2 Thank you Int Lions for a very engaging game and thanks to ref for controls a difficult game with some arguments from both sides.