OTPL 2016 Match Reports
02/10/2016: Red Lions FC 6 - 2 Taipei Animals FC
On a blisteringly hot Sunday afternoon in October, a gritty and spirited Lions comeback lifted the team ever closer to a second consecutive OTPL title. Though buoyed by recent form, the Animals were expected to pose a serious threat and they certainly didn't disappoint.
The first minute of the game provided a sign of things to come, as a defensive mix up allowed the dangerous Ebrima Njie to pounce and fire a fierce drive over the crossbar from 20 yards. The Lions struggled for fluency and the Animals capitalized in ruthless fashion, scoring twice within five minutes, to lead 2-0 after 25 minutes. The first water break provided an opportunity to regroup, escape the brutal heat and reflect on what had been a disappointing opening period to the game.
A reshuffle of personnel and a rethink paid dividends as the Lions slowly started to take a grip on the game. The breakthrough eventually came as excellent work on the right by Yang and in the middle by Pablo Mair, enabled Hank to drive home a crisp volley into the roof of the net, to half the deficit on the stroke of half time.
It certainly lifted the mood during the half time team talk! Half time also heralded another tactical change, as the team switched to a 3-5-2 formation, in a bid to add more potency in the attacking third.
Ultimately the switch paid off, as after 15 minutes of sustained Lions pressure at the start of the second half, the energetic Pablo Mair won his side a penalty after being bundled over in the box by an Animals defender. With the spot kick comfortably dispatched by Elias Argueta, the momentum had shifted considerably towards the team in red.
The momentum shift proved too much for a tiring Animals outfit. More excellent combination play by Elias, Hank and Yang saw the latter mop up a simple tap in to edge the Lions in front and although retaining a considerable threat on the break, the Animals failed to deal with further attacks into their defensive third, as Elias scored once again, Bhekie Mathunjwa turned in a Lionel Casanova pass and a 6th goal followed shortly after, to add gloss to what had been an extremely tough encounter.
It is often said that champions always find a way to win, even when playing badly. With a lead of 6 points and a game in hand over second-placed Daan FC and just six games left to play a second title in two years beckons.
23/10/2016: Red Lions 11 - 3 On Tap Badgers
On Sunday afternoon, the league's top and bottom clubs served up an entertaining goal fest. An expected demolition job never quite materialized as the Lions battled against a spirited Badgers line up.
The first 15 minutes of the game were characterized by the expected Lions' monopoly over possession and sporadic Badger counter attacks, until a loose ball on the edge of the Badgers' penalty area fell invitingly for Elias Argueta to tuck home the opening goal. A second and third followed shortly afterwards, as the floodgates looked like opening up. However, the Badgers stood strong and eventually worked their way back into the game around the half hour mark, as a long ball over the top caused havoc in the Lions' defence and Fred Freeman controversially went over in the box to earn and score his side's first goal from the penalty spot.
In the second half, the soaring temperatures meant that the game opened up considerably. Chances were made in abundance as the Lions continually carved through the Badgers' defence and the Badgers' strikers were enjoying considerable success against an inexperienced Lions rearguard. Though the result was never really in doubt, the game was extremely entertaining as the goals flowed freely. Pablo Mair finished with an impressive tally of four goals, Bheki grabbed a hat trick, Elias Argueta notched twice and Jonathan Davies and Antony Baudoin got one apiece.
Though unimpressive when defending at times, the ease with which they scored at will means that no one would bet against the Red Lions being crowned OTPL Champions for a second consecutive year, when the league reaches its climax in two months time.
30/10/2016: Red Lions 5 - 2 Taipei Eagles FC
In a heated encounter at Fujen University Stadium, on Sunday afternoon, the Lions kept their cool to moved to within one point of claiming their second consecutive OTPL trophy. With news of second-placed Daan FC's loss to the Taipei Magpies, in the league's early kick off, the Lions knew that a win would see them place one hand on the trophy and it proved motivation enough to come through a tough encounter.
After a physical and tense opening twenty minutes, it was Pablo Mair, after good interplay with Thomas Costa, who determinedly drove into the box and beat the Eagles goalkeeper at his near post, to give the Lions the lead. A second almost followed shortly after the half hour mark, as Elias Argueta drifted in a delicious free kick from the left side of the 18 yard box for a towering Mamane to head down and into the bottom corner. However, the goal was ruled out by the officials for offside.
Tackles flew in from both teams, as the contest threatened to boil over completely but the Lions were able to add a second goal shortly before the break. A corner cleared by the Eagles, fell to Elias Argueta, whose slide rule pass found Jiffy on the right side. His first time cross was met by the head of Mamane once again and his superb glancing header from 15 yards, drifted into the far corner, via the inside of the post. The scoreline was perhaps a little harsh on the Eagles, who had created and squandered a number of presentable chances. They did however find a route back into the game on the stroke of half time, as a pinpoint through ball and a mistimed tackle, allowed them to score from the spot, with the last kick of the half.
A nervous start to the second half ensued, as the Eagles sensed an opportunity to cause an upset. After 10 minutes of consistent Eagles pressure, their efforts were rewarded. A defensive mix-up allowed them to equalize and at that stage it looked like they could go on to overpower the Lions. Despite the pressure exerted by the Eagles, the Lions always looked capable on the counter attack and so it proved, as a sumptuous cross field pass by Enoc Hercules set Anthony Baudoin free on the right side of the penalty area. He kept his cool to slot over the advancing goalkeeper and break Eagles' hearts.
The lead could and should have been extended after Pablo Mair won a penalty, only for Enoc Hercules to miscue from twelve yards yet it wasn't to prove too costly as the impressive Sebastian Gruhle stepped up to convert a free kick from 20 yards soon after. The fourth goal understandably knocked the stuffing out of the Eagles and with the game meandering towards its conclusion, Bhekie Mathunjwa swept in from close range after Mamane had headed against the post.
The final whistle was met with a mixture of joy and relief. The Lions now head into Sunday's game with the Celts, knowing that a draw will be enough to seal another dominant and hugely successful campaign.
06/11/2016: Red Lions 0 - 2 Celts FC
Halloween may have been and gone but the Lions suffered a frustrating case of stage fright in a disappointing defeat to a resilient and determined Celts team, on Sunday afternoon at Fujen University. Needing just a draw to seal the OTPL title, the Lions' juggernaut of recent weeks stalled badly, as they let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers at the first time of asking.
The pattern of the game was set as early as the first twenty minutes, with the Lions largely dominating possession and territory, whilst making an alarming number of simple errors to surrender the initiative to a calm and composed Celts side. Taking full advantage of a static and lethargic Lions' back line, Martin John danced through to finish in the bottom corner and give the lead to the men in green after 15 minutes. The lead could and should have been larger before half time, as the Lions continued to toil and wilt in soaring temperatures. Extremely open to rapid Celts' counter attacks, the men in green missed a host of chances to extend their lead over the Lions as a solitary goal separated the teams at the break.
Despite an improved performance after half time, another Celts' counter attack doubled their advantage at the beginning of the second half, leaving the misfiring Lions a mountain to climb. Seemingly content with protecting their lead, an increasingly tired Celts team dropped deeper and deeper, soaking up intense Lions' pressure. An inspired performance from Celts' 'keeper Adam Lupinski and dogged defending, mixed with wasteful and often desperate Lions' attacking meant that the scoreline remained at 2-0 for the remainder of the game.
For the Celts, it is undoubtedly their biggest result of the season and they deserve credit for their perseverance and determined approach to the game, particularly when defending their lead in the second half. For the Lions, it is the first time this season that they have failed to score and the game showed that the team can not underestimate any side in the OTPL. Perhaps the biggest disappointment for the Lions is that they must wait at least another two weeks to put right the wrongs of Sunday afternoon but they know that should they clinch the title in a fortnight's time, they will need to improve markedly.
It is often said that the hardest step of sporting success is the last step. The Lions will be hoping that that step comes sooner rather than later.
If the loss against the Celts two weeks ago was agony, Sunday's win over the Magpies was pure ecstasy. Way back in June, the Magpies had handed the Lions a sobering first league defeat of the season, so it was fitting that the league title was wrapped up in the return fixture, five months later.
Perhaps with the disappointment of two weeks ago fresh in the memory, the Lions got off to a nervous start. The defensive line looked disorganized and the midfield struggled to get a grip on the game, in the face of energetic Magpies' pressure. Although enjoying the majority of the ball, the Lions were largely ineffective in the final third. With the Lions susceptible to counter attacks, the Magpies missed a host of early opportunities and the game remained goalless after a nervy opening thirty minutes.
Despite lacking precision in the final third, the deadlock was finally came through an error from the Magpies goalkeeper, who dropped a routine catch in the six yard box. Pablo Mair reacted first to sweep home and give the Lions the advantage. That slender advantage was preserved until the break, as an even first half ended 1-0.
The Lions continued to push forward in search of an important second goal and that came shortly after half-time, after another error from the Magpies goalkeeper; inexplicably fumbling a left-wing cross from Bheki Mathunjwa into his own net.
If the first two goals were fortunate, the third goal was certainly not. Bheki Mathunjwa picked up the ball 25 yards out, shifted it into his left foot and curled superbly into the top left corner of the goal.
With a mountain to climb, the Magpies struggled to hide their frustration and the game threatened to boil over. This frustration culminated in a reckless and dangerous tackle on Lionel Casanova by a Magpies midfielder, resulting in a deserved, straight red card. The subsequent free kick taken by Elias Argueta was adjudged to have struck a Magpies hand in the penalty area and after furious protests from the Magpies, Pablo Mair stepped up to fire in the Lions' fourth goal from the spot.
The fourth goal left the result in no doubt yet there was still time for Enoc Hercules to convert a pinpoint pass from Elias Argueta and register his first league goal of the season. The final whistle was greeted with pure joy and relief as once again the Red Lions are crowned the OTPL champions, with two games to spare.
Well done boys!
Champions!
20/11/2016: Red Lions 5 - 0 Taipei Magpies
27/11/2016: Red Lions 5 - 3 B52 Carnegies FC
When you think about great footballing rivalries many famous examples spring to mind. El Clasico in Spain, the Manchester and London derbies in England, the Milan derby in Italy. Add Red Lions vs B52s to the list! For the last three seasons, the two teams have shared three league titles between them and they share a fierce and competitive rivalry like no other in Taiwan. Friends, colleagues and brothers off the pitch, the two sides served up a scintillating and dramatic spectacle on Sunday morning, in miserable conditions at Bailing Bridge.
As has been the case in recent weeks, the Red Lions made a slow start to the game. A fired up Carnegies team displayed attacking intent from the kick off, as the Lions struggled with their vibrant build-up play and movement. After creating a number of half chances in increasingly wet conditions, a defensive error at the other end allowed Pablo Mair to continue his prolific campaign by firing past the helpless Carnegies' goalkeeper after twenty minutes. Both sides struggled in deteriorating conditions, that made playing the ball around at the back extremely treacherous.
Undoubtedly, the opening goal had arrived against the run of play and the B52s were soon level. Good work by Daniel Calvert and Wahab on the left hand side, allowed David Vincent to sweep the ball into the far corner, via the inside of the post to give Carnegies a deserved equalizer.
Whilst the B52s continued to create further chances, profligacy and an inspired performance by Pete Lewry in the Lions' goal meant that just the one goal was conceded in the first half. For all of the Carnegies' attractive football in the attacking third, their defending left a lot to be desired. Miscommunication, hesitancy and numerous lapses in concentration meant that a rampant Pablo Mair finished with an incredible five goals in just the opening 45 minutes!
A 5-1 scoreline at half time was perhaps a little harsh on the B52s and they deserve great credit for their valiant effort in the second half. Satisfied with the four-goal lead, the Lions sat back and invited increasingly intense pressure. 5-1 soon became 5-2 (thanks to a Jordan Miller goal on his last appearance for the club) as the Carnegies' restored their belief. Only some desperate, last ditch defending and superb shot-stopping from half-time substitute Max Feng maintained the three goal advantage.
Around the hour mark it seemed that the high tempo had begun to take its toll on the B52s and the game entered a bit of a lull. However, there was almost a late twist, as with around 10 minutes to go, Carlitos struck with a well-taken finish. With the game back in the balance the Carnegies' twice thought that they had drawn within a single goal of a potentially astonishing comeback. The first came when Mike O'Gorman beat several Lions' defenders and cannoned a shot from the edge of the box onto the crossbar. And then two minutes later, a corner was cleared to full back Loic Luengo, whose magnificent rasping volley dipped and also hit the woodwork. With these two near misses, the comeback had failed to materialize and it was the Lions who claimed bragging rights at the final whistle.
On another day it could have been a very different outcome and both sides deserve credit for producing an exceptionally entertaining game in difficult conditions. For the B52s, next up is a crunch match with Daan next weekend, to potentially decide second place and for the Lions they face the Warriors, hoping to finish off another successful season with yet another three points.
Man of the Match: Pablo Mair. 5 goals in 45 minutes. A devastating performance!
Written by Jonathan Davies