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Hachioji Park, Monday 12th January
Lions would like to start by wishing all the TML a Happy New Year, and wish that 2009 brings stability, prosperity, peace, and joy to all.
Despite winning the Div 2 title last year, Lions have had an under par 2008 that saw them win only 6 games out of 16, compared to the fine run in 2007 of 10 wins in 14 that led to securing the Season 5 title.
Lions have been struggling with absentees most significantly the Captain Somi, and Orlando Torres between the posts.
Their return on a freezing Monday night in Hachioji Park was marked by strong speeches from both, highlighting the anger at the humiliating 10-1 drubbing on the hands of YCAC, and reminding Lions who they are, and to go out and enjoy the game, and make sure we did not freeze ourselves for nothing.
Lions were with only 1 recognised striker, Ahmed Gaafar, with the absentees list including Zuhair, Ken, Hideki, Ahmed, and Fisal. Lions were facing a big dilemma with non of their 5 centre-backs available, a few still on holiday, whilst Evis being suspended.
Gaafar Somi, a well known midfielder played as a centre-back, whilst Mo's idea of playing the attacking midfielder Arcadia as the other centre-back definetely paid off.
Hibs started strongly, and a few scary moments arose when a 7 yard shot rattled off the cross-bar, only to be cleared by the anxious Lions defenders. Lions almost hit back immediately when a 25-yard free-kick saw Somi unleashing a scorcher, where the Hibs keeper was only able to parry the ball, but his follow up denied the pouncing Ahmed and Fahad a Lion's opener.
Hibs kept probing and Lions kept absorbing the pressure and releasing the brilliant Abu every now and then causing concern for the Hibs defence.
A deflected clearance saw a Hibs striker dash in, one-on-one with Orlando, but Arcadia dashed across and with what must be the best tackle of the season, blocked the shot into a corner. Had he mistimed the challenge, a penalty and sending off would've been the result!
A 20-yard free-kick was well taken by Josh, but the dipping far-post shot was no match for Orlando.
Tatsuya was found onside on the right flank and as he dashed towards the goal, his unselfish cross to the far post was bit too high for the attacking Ahmed.
The first half finished 0-0, and the second half saw Lions field Matteo Symonds on the left as a guest player. Matteo showed pin-point accuracy with his passing, and as Tatsuya got involved in a move, Ahmed was released on the right, and as he out-paced the defenders and looked like taking a shot, he slipped an inch perfect ball to Abu who dragged the keeper and placed the ball into the empty net to allow Lions to lead 1-0 with 20 minutes to go.
By standers were amazed and commented on how Lions beat BFC, and are leading against the unbeaten Hibs, but managed to lose to teams in the lower end of the tables.
Andre Pinto managed to skip through into the box, and he unleashed a shot into the near top corner, but amazing athletics from Orlando pushed the ball onto the cross-bar and out as a corner.
Hibs continued to threat and another shot from the edge of the box cleared Orlando, only to comeback off the bar.
A Lions corner almost saw Lions double their lead from a header, and minutes later, Ahmed's brilliant 30 yard dash should've seen the ball in the net, but Hibs managed to block his shot about 9 yards out.
Hibs had plenty of free-kicks around the box, and their set play was well rehearsed, and as they managed to break the offside trap, their header luckily went too high, however with less than 5 minutes to go, a weighted free-kick saw their player head the ball backwards from 6 yards out, and despite Orlando getting a touch, the ball found its way into the net to deny Lions a memorable win.
Charles and Mo Birkia were awesome as fullbacks, and kept limiting the crosses.
Both teams had absentees, with Hibs also missing Bevan, Ono, and Eduardo.
Good refereeing from Quentin allowed us to enjoy a great contest between the two teams, where a draw seemed as a fair result.
Lions will welcome back most of their squad for their next game, but surely on this performance, a starting XI change is unlikely.
Man of the Match: Both teams were awesome, with none making any mistakes throughout the game, but my man of the match has to be Somi for his amazing performance as a defender infront of the great Orlando - nothing short of taking bullets for a president!
Report by Hussein Shehata
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