SIFL CUP 2014 – 2015

Yes – that’s right, the Raiders found themselves fighting for silverware once more in the annual SIFL Cup. Unfortunately, as with last season, ended up empty handed. Or did we…

The tournament took a slightly different approach this year, with 16 teams involved in a 7-a-side format. This allowed for the inclusion of teams not involved in the SIFL, to help encourage more participants and a healthier league next year. Our group draw looked like this;

Raiders
Africa 2
Sporting 1
Hotshots

With our first game kicking off at 9:00AM – the team was expected at the pitch at 8:30AM, and aside from our new French connection, Rayan ( who spent an hour driving around lost ) everyone was on time and raring to go. The team was as follows:

Vu
Mike
Jamie
Olly
Daniel Vo
Frank
Rayan
Lars
Luke
Nico
Craig
Tan

Our first game was against Sporting and a fantastic team effort saw us through with a comfortable 5-1 results The only blemish a superb Sporting free kick arrowed into the top corner.

The second game was a truly defensive masterclass, absorbing the African onslaught and almost catching them on the break on numerous occasions. 0-0.

Needing only a draw to progress into the Cup knockout – our next opponents were Hotshots. We didn’t get going until the 2nd half and by that stage were already 2-0 down. Mike grabbed a goal back from an acute angle but time was against us and we were knocked into the Plate. 1-2.

LUNCH – a chance to catch our breath , get some food and survey our team. Vu was done. A knee injury now meant Daniel Vo was the man with the gloves. And the aviators. And the complete lack of English with which to talk to his defenders. Tan, hungover from one glass of wine, acknowledged he needed to up his game. The rest of us agreed. A few banh mi’s and a bag and a baby incident later – our next game was against Sporting. Again.

Another fine performance and another win secured. 5-1.

Up next we played the Saints. The heat and the overall quantity of football started to show. After taking a 1-0 lead, we struggled to keep our shape and aside from Nico and Mike missing a plethora of chances, we conceded and the game went to penalties. I can’t remember what the final penalty count was but Rayan buried it and on we went to the final.

Without going into much detail – we played Nam Anh. They took a very early lead and never looked back. 0-3.

A couple of cold beers helped recover our spirits and after watching a few minutes of the ‘other’ final – the Raiders set off home. 120 minutes of football. 12 dedicated Raiders. 11 goals scored. 1 baby bagged. Priceless memories.

We would like to extend our thanks to the SIFL and to Justin for his hard work and determination in organizing and executing the whole tournament. I would also like to thank the Raiders, Vu and Mr Hung for their participation and in battling all day through injuries, hangovers ( Tan… ) and the searing heat. Well done lads – it was an honour. Bring on next season!

Raiders.

 

by Luke McDonnell