SIAFL Season 2024 ⚽ Friendly Match Recap and interviews: All Stars Team vs. Xingjun By: Dmitry Antonov 📅Jan 3 2025 2:14PM 638719292530347815 The All Stars Team kicked off 2025 with an engaging performance against last year’s Nanshan Champions, Xingjun, in a friendly match held at the new venue in Nanshan Sha He Park. This match featured an unconventional format of three 30-minute thirds. In the first third, Ruan Da Silva scored from a free kick, giving the All Stars an early lead. However, Xingjun quickly regrouped, making adjustments at halftime to emerge dominant, leading 2-1 as the second third began. They extended their lead with another goal, but Alhassan Bah managed to pull one back for the All Stars with a stunning strike just before the final whistle. We asked the coach and players about the game: Bibi saw potential in the new young players but stated, "We need to see them against other opponents. We are counting on them in the next games, and then I can share more insights." Stefan mentioned that the pitch size was unusual and, conversely, he thought it didn't benefit the SIAFL All Stars team: there wasn't much space for possession when 11 players were concentrated on the field, especially in the central line. In response to the question, "What do you think about Jury in goal?" he said, "We cannot complain about the goalkeeper if we allow shots from such a short distance; he couldn't do much." Jury, who usually coaches the team but played in goal for this match, shared his thoughts on the game. He noted the beautiful pitch and highlighted some logistical challenges the team faced, including a few late arrivals during their first match at this new venue. He commended his teammates for their efforts, particularly the younger players. The standout was a 15-year-old right back named Tiger, who impressed with his defensive skills. “He did a great job, showing no pressure while playing alongside foreign players," Jury exclaimed. While acknowledging the team's struggles, particularly in midfield where their player found it challenging, he pointed out that the opponents presented formidable competition. “Xingjun are the best team in Shenzhen; they train together and are well-prepared for 11-a-side matches," Jury remarked. The absence of key players like Alex and Leo also affected their usual game strategy, as they found it difficult to maintain ball possession. Tim highlighted the new pitch's appeal, although he acknowledged the adjustments made during the game due to the absence of key players. "We tried new players, and while they showed promise, there were missed scoring opportunities," he remarked. He also praised the impressive defensive efforts from the young squad and pointed out a missed chance from Howto, noting their potential for future matches. Overall, despite the loss, the All Stars Team showcased resilience and potential. This friendly served as a valuable opportunity to evaluate new talent and strengthen team dynamics, leaving the players optimistic about the season ahead. Team: Coach: Bibi, DJ, Sasha, Vinny, Chicken, Howto, Tiger, Steven, Cris, Ruan, Stefan, Tim, Bata, Mu, Oleh, TJ, Alhassan. The next friendly will be played on Jan 9th, 20:30 against Pacific. Incidents involved violations of eligibility rules that led to disciplinary actions in Season 2024 Dec 15 2024 8:49AM By Dmitry Antonov 🏆 Greater Bay is the winner of SIAFL Cup 2024. Nov 27 2024 8:29AM By Dmitry Antonov 🏆 SZ Athletic Crowned SIAFL 2024 Champions in Thrilling 5-3 Comeback Victory! Nov 20 2024 1:16PM By Dmitry Antonov 🏆 Nov-25 Plate and Cup finals Oct 15 2024 12:15PM By Dmitry Antonov 🏆 Nanshan Cup Full game recording Sep 10 2024 12:37PM By Dmitry Antonov SIAFL Cup qualification results Sep 2 2024 9:06PM By Dmitry Antonov SIAFL;s Triumph Over Rich Club in Nanshan Cup Semi-Final Sep 1 2024 8:32PM By Dmitry Antonov Siafl All Stars at Nanshan Cup Jun 6 2024 7:05AM By Jury Sanna Game Week 4 Report May 20 2024 7:51PM By Dmitry Antonov Game Week 3 Report and Best Goals May 17 2024 10:10PM By Dmitry Antonov No Racism (fourth part) May 13 2024 12:49PM By Jury Sanna No Racism (third part) May 13 2024 12:26PM By Jury Sanna 12345678910...