Sunday 7th October 2018

The Raiders entered their second league fixture of the season hoping to establish an unbeaten run. This
week’s opposition, the French outfit Olympique De Saigon, looking to record their first win after a 1-1
draw last time out. Olympique’s resilient defence and the Raiders free-flowing attack was sure to make
for an exciting match.

The opponents saw lots of possession in the opening fifteen and played with confidence with some nice
play coming down their left side. The Raiders back three, which was unchanged from last week’s 2-0
victory over Hotshots, remained composed snuffing out any threat. Raiders began to get a foot in the
game with some good link-up play and overlapping runs down the wing only to be thwarted by the
experienced defence. Pressure was building however and a lovely delivery from a dead ball by Oliver
and a knock down by Jonas followed by a clinical finish by Captain Clem saw the opening goal.

After some promising attacks by both sides coach Colin was forced to make a change with an injured
Thijs making way for the raiders South American man Hamez who immediately made some promising
runs down the right.

As the half rolled on Hogg displayed why he’s a deserving vice-captain; chasing down a lost cause and
sliding to keep the ball in play only for it to be deemed as crossing the line to his dismay. Cracks began to
show as Hogg who made his displeasure known to the linesman was booked “the linesman should be
booked for that” he cried to no avail. Within a minute Raiders had conceded a free kick in a dangerous
area. A scramble ensued and amidst cries of offside and handball the French had pulled the score back
level. A disappointing end to the first half after an otherwise solid performance. 1-1.

The second half saw much of the same with both teams having phases of attacks but 8 minutes in
Olympique conceded a penalty for handball which was calmly converted by Raider’s number 9. 2-1. A
tactical change saw the introduction of Arno and Kendray in place of Hamez and Jonas. A change which
may have been judged ill-advised when 4 minutes later Hogg galloped passed the defence and
unfortunately misplaced his square ball behind an on-running Kendray who was forced to adjust his run
and narrowly shaved the ball over the bar squared the ball the Kendray who was in an acre of space but
collapsed on the ground like a new born giraffe being sh*t onto the floor from a height- and hoofed the
ball into row Z with his size 12s.

As the game drew on the Raiders looked more and more comfortable, Arno’s work down the line and
crossing proved to be a danger and their defensive unit didn’t allow any room to breathe, this strong
phase of play unfortunately couldn’t be topped when Emma skipped passed 5 defenders and just kissed
the ball wide of the post. The onslaught continued with some tika taka passing in the opponent’s box.
Hogg, post. Clem, keeper. The score remained 2-1. It was surely only a matter of time before the Raiders
capitalized on their attacking display.

The third finally came in the 25th minute of the second half when a clearance by Mansell fell to the feet
of Kendray who played the ball through the lines to Clem who in turn played in Hoggy for his second of
the match. 3-1 Raiders.

With Fion and Turner warming up down the touchline a change was imminent. Colin opted for the more
experienced Turner in place of Mansell whose turn it was to change his baby’s nappy. From there on in it
was a matter of seeing out the game for the Raiders but Hogg saw red mist again after a call by the ref
he was taken off following a lewd gesture towards the opposition. From red mist descending to a white
flag arising from one member of the French outfit who had surrendered at football and resorted to
childish petulance behind the ref’s back. Raiders didn’t bite and in true reigning champions fashion
coasted the game to a close. Final Score Saigon Raiders 3 Olympique De Saigon 1.

MoM: Tam Kitgrave
Turkey: Adam Kendray