Afrika United vs Athletico Beijing, Saturday June 9, 2007
IFFC Super-Cup Final
Looking to complete a second succesive sweep of all IFFC competitions, Afrika United played against the Second Division champions in the last match of the IFFC 2006/2007 season.
Red hot from their crushing victory 5-3 over Strollers, Athletico came into the game with high hopes of causing a historical upset. This is nothing new to Afrika United though, as we prepared to disappoint our worthy opponents. And worthy they were, as exchanges flowed and threats to both goals came in quick succession.
On one of our first incursions into the Athletico box, a defender controlled the ball with his hand, and as the Afrika United keeper rushed upfield to take the spot kick, all were amazed to see the ref give a free-kick for Athletico. A first controversial call which only confirmed what we knew: no-one would give us anything, we'd have to take it.
At the other end, Dave (who scored over 25 goals this season) caused numerous problems to the Afrikan defence with his darting runs and incessant harassment of the defenders. On one such play, he controlled the ball on Athletico's left flank and squared it to his striking partner. The first shot was blocked by a defender, the ball fell kindly to an Athletico player who was blocked by the goalkeeper legally at first and with greco-roman a wrestling move next and the ball fell again to a striker whose shot was finally cleared off the line by Afrika United's Adam.
As the Second Division champions settled into their game, they created more chances and showed that they could compete with Beijing's amateur teams. They would even hit the post moments later. Another incursion into the right flank of our defence gave way to a low shot which should have been gathered cleanly by Afrika United's goalkeeper, however, he spilt the ball right into prolific striker Dave's path. The keeper narrowed the angle all he could and the striker smashed the ball without control into the upright. Afrika United knew the time was not to early celebrations.
Yet moments later, deliverance came. A play was started by Afrika United's charismatic goalkeeper, he inspired his partners to a series of well-worked passes. Before Captain Ermias received the ball with his back to the goal and chested it right into the path of his striking partner. Daniel got his foot around the ball and sent it to the opposite corner. It was almost saved by the keeper, but in the end he had to make do with bruises and a conceded goal.
Half-time came and the players shared a drink with their fans. The tension was palpable and helped the team's mature approach in the second half.
From the restart our team went for the kill. The Athletico defence was having none of it though, and instead it was the man standing tall in Afrika United's posts who was kept the busiest. Numerous strikes, some as hard as cannonballs, were smothered smoothly by the Miracle Muzungu.
Sure our strikers had a number of chances, but the official policy now was to play the Catenaccio of great tactical teams. And so the fans could start to celebrate, Afrika United FC unbeaten in the 2006-2007 season!
Afrika United 1:0 Athletico Beijing
Goal:
Daniel 34
Have you ever scored one like this?
