Shanghai Lions FC

We played in 4-4-2 and started against the wind. The playing style of Anzacs is 10 players camping on their side, playing offside and counter attacking. Actually, they can only be really dangerous on free kicks. They made us play in a sleepy way with a slow rythm. Olivier C., our special guest, got several missed chances and finally scored on a run, followed by a brilliant distant shot. 1-0 for Les Bleus. Though we were leading, Les Bleus were playing passively and not tactically good against this kind of organization. Anzacs got a free kick, shot it and it was bounced by the post. Firstly we are not concentrated on the free kick and secondly, we are passive because one anzac takes the ball rebounced and equalized at short distance : it is a bad goal for us and score 1-1.

Fortunatelly, we took the lead again thanks to a duel with Olivier C. and an Anzacs player who touched the ball with his hand. Referee whistled penalty that Greg scored. 2-1 for Les Bleus. No other real good chance for us until end of first half-time. We felt that Anzacs are really the weakest team of the league but we were a bit frustrated because we didn't play the best way. We were leading only by one goal ....

Second half-time with wind for us, actually wind is an important factor sometimes !! Just 5 or 10 mn and Anzacs got another free kick near the corner post. Against this kind of team who don't have dangereous individual players, we must not make fouls in our 25 m because it gave them the only chances to score. They didn't miss the chance : a high shot not very dangerous but Willy miscalculated the trajectory and has been lobbed. They equalized again 2-2 and it was a cold shower that could create bit of anxiety or doubts. Fortunatelly there was plenty of time left and wind was for us. The anzacs had really lots of difficulties to go on our side and Les Bleus were playing very very high (21 players in one half-side). David played 1-2 pass with Greg who gave him back, he continued the run and made a brilliant high curving shot.
Les Bleus were leading again 3-2, actually it was the goal of the relief and the announcement of the rain goals series. Jerome on a counter, continued the run and scored on empty cage 4-2, Loic on a quite identical 1-2 pass with Greg scored with a ground level shot 5-2. Then Jerome again, with again a pass from Greg (3 decisives passes !) 6-2 !! We said in first half time that we played too much in depth passes and that we should do more 1-2 passes, it has been applied in 2nd half-time.
Leading 6-2, we can understand that everybody was not fully concentrated, our defense too relaxed made a mistake and an Anzacs player counter attacked alone and reduced the score 6-3. To add a cherry on the cake, Christophe made it 7-3 by a splendid head on a nice centre from Andrezj.

We took 3 goals which is not good but we succeeded to score 7, which is excellent for the mood !! More goals in this 8th game than in all the 7 games before ... Anyway, THE SERIES CONTINUE : 3RD VICTORY IN A ROW ! WE HAVE WINNING SPIRIT NOW. LES BLEUS DON'T WANT TO DRAW ANY MORE, DON'T WANT TO LOOSE ANY MORE :)