Ali – Frasier
Hulk Hogan – Andre the Giant
Montagues – Capulets
Raiders – Sa*nts

All legendary rivalries have a special air about them. Saturday September 15th saw another story sewn into the rich tapestry that illuminates sport in Ho Chi Minh year after year. Raiders retained the Ashes, thanks largely to a rip-roaring first half of football.

Once again – Saigon is red.

Raiders arrived in fine spirits and a confident mood after picking up two trophies at the 7s tournament the previous weekend. Coach Colin reiterated his message that he wanted the team to work hard and show everyone that the Raiders deserve all the success they have earned in recent seasons.

Hung, starting in a holding midfield role alongside Guido, set the tone early with a couple of strong challenges. Mike Owen, playing further forward as a number 10, put his foot on the ball and got it moving.

Two minutes in, the Reds signalled their intentions as captain Clem burst down the right wing – he managed to move the ball onto Hoggy, but on this occasion the goalkeeper made the save. It was the Sa*nts’ first indication of how dangerous the Raiders could be going forward.

After 15 minutes, Raiders shifted through the gears and lit the fuse for 5 minutes of footballing fireworks.
The ever-threatening Emmanuel jinked his way down the left-hand side and drove the ball across goal where Clem was on hand to hammer it home from six yards.

1-0 Raiders.

Just three minutes later, Man-of-the-match Emma was at it again, embarking on a run from his own half deep into Saints’ territory before finding Mick, who in turn found Hoggy, who in turn found the back of the net.

2-0 Raiders.

The punishment wasn’t over yet, as just 20 minutes in Hoggy unleashed a fierce, dipping drive that came back of the underside of the crossbar. However, Saints had no time to count their blessings as Clem recycled the ball and crossed for Vincent to rise highest and head home at the back post.

3-0 Raiders.

The Reds rode out the first half in confident fashion, knocking the ball around nicely. Sa*nts were happy to go in just three goals down at the break.

It was 4 soon after half time as some smart football from the Raiders ended with Hoggy crossing for Clem, who chested the ball down before smashing it past the keeper for his second of the game.

4-0 Raiders.

Sensing the Ashes were won, Raiders took their foot off the gas a little towards the end of the game and Saints took advantage to score twice and give themselves faint hopes of a comeback. However, strong performances from Emma (against whom Sa*nts ran out of ideas on how to defend and resorted to scything down at every opportunity), Clem, Hoggy, Mike, Mick, Tam and Gary ensured that the Raiders walked off the pitch triumphant, serenaded by Ben Sharvell’s bagpipes.

Yet another chapter of this epic rivalry will be written this Saturday in the first league match of the season.

Let’s paint the town red again.