After a week of no training due to a showing of power of the Vietnamese army, a historical signup of 34 raiders was ready to fight for their spot in the league team for the coming clash with the Japanese. With the blazing heat of last week in fresh memory the warm-up was slow and steady, only using the centre circle for some walks and stretches.

At 14:30 sharp, two equally divided teams lined up and started furiously with the red team quickly gaining the overhand and domination possession through a stable defence and 20-minute-Guido controlling the midfield. The reds steadily built up pressure but the white’s defence, led by Viking Stefan, put up a good fight. After a good interception of Mike Owen on the midfield it was Ben who noted the first big chance of the match; Just wide of the far post. After this wake-up call, the reds continued building attacks and after Chris being fouled some 30 metres from goal, Captain Clem picked up the ball and put it right in the corner where goalie Arjen could not(?) reach it. 1-0. As per usual Guido got subbed around the 20-minute mark and the first 3rd ended without further excitement.
With coach Colin changing the system to the good old Dutch 4-3-3, it took the reds a while to get it right and figure out how to position themselves. White took advantage and built up pressure, using fresh transfer Vincent as a surprise element. About 10 minutes in, he picked up the ball and rushed past anything red. Unfortunately for white he put the leather a few centimetres wide.
Not long after Vincent remembered where he came from and passed the ball into the white’s box, to Hoggy. Due to Vincents amazing overview Hoggy came into a position where (even) he scored. 2-0. Red got more control of the match and a nicely placed shot of Chris noted the 3-0 and White’s morale broken. The return of Gary was the last thing happening in the second 3rd.
The last 3rd began slow as red was playing controlled possession and white not wanting to conceive another goal. Unfortunately Vincent forgot, yet another time, that he was transferred and while in his own box put the ball right in the feet of Sven, who slowly finished (very saveable). 4-0.
After a Turkey-worthy miss, Hoggy got subbed and the rest of the match slowly died out. Honorable mention was Pierre, took a really good opportunity after the ball got blocked by white’s defence. He went for the long distance shot and succeded impressively – if this was American football. His attempt on the 3 points almost went out of the stadium. With most people already focused on the upcoming social at Kim’s, there wasn’t much excitement left when Chris decided to test the White’s goalkeeper with a high and strong shot. 5-0 and game over.

With the inevitable vote of Turkey for the reds done in a few seconds (thanks Stefan&Hogs) the white team just in time realized Jonas actually showed up to get him the well deserved price of 2-in-a-row Turkey (bullshit should have been Vincent, sooooooo deserved). Chris and Huong got MOTM and are added to the Raiders history books.
The legendary social at Kim’s was a good ending to yet another great Raiders weekend.
Until the next.
Lets go Raiders!