SIAFL | SIAFL;s Triumph Over Rich Club in Nanshan Cup Semi-Final

SIAFL;s Triumph Over Rich Club in Nanshan Cup Semi-Final

By: Dmitry Antonov
📅Sep 1 2024 8:32PM

638608196558251062 September 1st, Taoyuan Pitches - The SIAFL 11-aside All-Stars team secured a hard-fought victory against Rich Club in a pulsating semi-final encounter.

The match ended 4-1 in favor of the All-Stars. The first half remained goalless, with Rich Club creating a few dangerous chances near Marko Sujica's goals. A setback for the All-Stars came in the 35th minute when Luiz Fernando da Silva Alves suffered an injury and was replaced by Carlos Leonel.

The second half exploded into life when Carlos Leonel broke the deadlock with a "kung-fu style" goal, assisted by Alex Kolpakov. Rich Club's hopes were dealt a further blow when they were reduced to ten men after a defender received a red card for a handball offense, denying Kolpakov a clear goal-scoring opportunity. However, they showed great character, equalizing against the run of play in the 54th minute.

The All-Stars responded emphatically, with Carlos Leonel completing his hat-trick. His second goal came from a precise header following Alex Kolpakov's cross, while his third was a clinical left-footed finish, again set up by Kolpakov. The final goal was a work of art, with Carlos providing a perfectly weighted pass to the accelerating Kolpakov, who found the bottom left corner with precision.

While the attacking duo of Carlos and Kolpakov stole the headlines, credit must be given to the All-Stars' defensive unit, which effectively neutralized Rich Club's offensive threats. JB's midfield "B-boy" performance, coupled with some timely interventions, helped control the tempo of the game. Coach Jury's tactical adjustments, despite limited substitution options, proved crucial in securing the victory.

The poor quality of the pitch was also a talking point, potentially affecting the quality of play.

Fans can look forward to the final, scheduled for September 7th, 2024, at 16:45 in Shenzhen Bay Stadium.