April 12, 2010
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Red Lions enjoy trip darn sarf
Having endured controversy on and off the pitch recently, what the Red Lions really needed was to get back some of that feel good factor. The runners up prize in Bangkok helped restore some pride on the international scene, but domestically it was up to those few Lions who headed to Tainan over the weekend to restore some much needed morale. And surprisingly enough, it was delivered by a barebones squad and a couple of ringers.
And it all started so badly. Matt “I’ll be there early because I want to warm up” Clark missed the train down, and several others who had committed pulled out at the 12th hour. Captain “Gayer” Rob Iwanicki trawled Carnegies in the early hours of Saturday morning, looking for people drunk enough to agree to play, yet sober enough to actually be able to get up in the morning to play, and secured the services of Francois. Having already brought in Mike O’Gorman and Carl Blundon from Carnegies, the Red Lions who turned up on time for the train were “Gay” Rob Fowler, “Gayer” Rob Iwanicki, Tim “Knee, Brutus, Bruno” Brown, Kevin “Dumpling”, Clovis “Only Gay in the Village” Sinistera and Fred Helander.
Despite several calls, Matt did not answer, thanks to an alcohol-induced coma, and when he finally was responsive, he was so late that he missed the first match. As the barebones squad arrived in Tainan at the pitch, “Gayer” Rob quickly enlisted former Red Lion and veteran, Danny “Father of the Year” Lin, alongside Red Star reject Til.
So to the first game, against the Kaohsiung Pacers who, it must be said, are not the team they were some years ago. Dominating the game, the Red Lions made light of the game, and even scored a goal, Tim slotting the ball away to give the Lions the perfect start to the tournament. With a strong midfield, Mike and Francois were commanding in their distribution and mazey runs, Blundinho as always playing with passion and putting the opponents under pressure, and all outfield players generally lively as Rob “Howler” Fowler was left with a minimal amount of work to do.
Matt finally made it to the second game, and the Red Lions had the luxury of a substitute. In the heat of Tainan, it was needed. Despite some good defending, when the game seemed destined for a 0-0 draw, Phoenix scored twice in the last few minutes to win 2-0.
Then to the turning point of the competition for the Red Lions – the final game of the day. Clovissimo enlisted the services of his Panamanian compatriot Luis (not THAT Luis!) who came on for the game against Kaohsiung Massive. The first few minutes saw the Lions dominate, but we were unable to convert that in to pressure on the goalkeeper, and after this early spell, Massive turned the table. Shot after shot went in on goal, but somehow “Gay” Rob was in inspired form, making save after save, despite having rolled on the ground like a dying warthog after what has to be said was a late and heavy challenge by an opponents’ attacker.
Then after some poor marking, a volley was smashed home to make the score 1-0 to Massive, and perhaps those watching thought it was game over. But there is only one Red Lion who likes to lie down and take it up the arse, and collectively the Lions were able to turn the game around, firstly via a free kick that was “won” by the diving pole, Francois equalizing from a very savable shot, and then in the last minute, another relatively easy shot from Fred ensuring Clovis’ favourite come from behind victory, and the Lions now in the driving seat for qualification to one of the finals on the second day.The team headed out in the evening, a great dinner followed by copious amounts of alcohol, and a hot date for one Lion who shall remain unnamed. With an 11 AM kick off for the next morning, the Lions’ took full advantage and partied in typical Lion fashion.
The Sunday saw the two easiest games – at least on paper – against the Scunners and Red Star. The Scunners put up more of a fight than expected but the Lions ground out a 2-1 win, Luis and Fred scoring, and then a 3-0 rout of Red Star meant that we had to wait for the result of the Massive-Phoenix game to see if we made the cup or plate final.
Having been on the receiving end of a fortuitous penalty decision in the previous game against the Pacers, Phoenix also benefitted from some dodgy refereeing decisions as they beat Massive, to set up a Cup final match against the Super Eagles. The Lions, by default, were then drawn against the Shelts in the Plate final.
The first half was dominated by the Lions, Tim “Knee” Brown scoring his second of the tournament, as the Lions went in to half time a goal up. The second half saw the domination reversed, and as a high ball caught the wind, it ended up past a statue-esque Fowler and in the net, the game ending 1-1 and on to penalties.
Rob “Howler” Fowler couldn’t save a penalty to save his life these days, it would seem. Tim “Knee” Brown can’t score one to save his. The Lions lost 4-3, ending up 4th in the competition. Not bad – it must be said – for a team that looked like it was not going to be able to field a full team for the first match.
Our thanks to all those who helped out – Carl, Francois and Mike especially, who all ran and ran like dynamos. Tim bought 2 rounds of beers after his penalty miss, but did not escape a 2-year ban from penalty taking.
The HSR ride home was animated, and delayed, thanks to the Captain, Vice-Captain and Chairman playing a “beer in hand” game and not working out that it was getting dark and therefore perhaps we should get moving to the station. Thankfully though, the beer kept flowing and ran out in Hsinchu, before we all headed to Carnegies for one final celebratory beer. Or two.
