Raiders secured a league double over Saigon Saints, coasting to a 3-1 victory. The team’s streak of four straight league wins and six in all matches, three of which were over opposition placed higher in the league, has helped Raiders climb into third place , our highest league position for a long long time. We have an excellent chance of cementing that 3rd place too and taking the three points from our final league fixture against Gemadept will be vital. Third will then be ours unless Saints take 9 points from their three remaining games (Hiep Phu, Gemadept and Fighting Cocks) and Hotshots would need 6 points from their two remaining games (one of which is NTV).

The game itself was played under the roasting southern sun at the insane KO time of 2.00pm. The pitch was heavy but at least even and still playable. Same for both teams.

I’ve never seen Raiders so high on confidence and in such good form. The team has a great shape to it now and everyone knows their roles in the system. Finally everything is clicking but lets not forget we have some excellent players who make that possible.

Raiders made a solid start to the game with both teams feeling each other out and getting past their first wind in that horrible heat. The breakthrough came from Greeve who found himself through on goal, rounded the keeper and put us one up. Soon after, a fantastic through ball from Greenow caught the Saints defense napping, LJ10 getting there first and firing the ball into the top of the net beyond the keeper from a tight angle. 2-0 up and Saints were stunned, almost out of the game. Raiders held steady for the rest of the half, helped by constant rotation from the bench.

The second half and the plan was to get through the first ten minutes as we knew Saints would be pressing looking for a way back into the game. They got lucky when a high free kick deceived Vu and the ball was fumbled into the net, the score back to 2-1. However, Vu quickly redeemed himself soon after with a wonderful tip-over from a shot just outside the box.

No wobbles here though and the rest of the second half belonged to Raiders, the third and killer goal coming from a great attacking move. Joey played a lovely ball over the top to Nico who out-muscled the defender and played in Laurie across the edge of the box who angled his shot beyond the keepers reach. LJ10 is now out in front with ten for the season, only a hell of a game from Nico against Gemadept or Fla returning from the dead can challenge him for the Melchers award now. Little threat came for the rest of the game, and Raiders finished comfortable winners.

What a pleasure the last six weeks have been and I see no reason why the winning streak will end anytime soon. Viva Raiders!

Sentence of the day request by Angelo: