2025-11-09, 10:14 AM - Word count:
SSL Season 23 – Minors MD1 Part 1
The first round of the SSL Minors kicked off with renewed energy and plenty of anticipation. Several new draft prospects made their debuts, bringing fresh life to the league and early glimpses of future stars. While some clubs built on last season’s foundation, others looked revitalised after busy off-seasons. The opening trio of matches offered everything from dominant wins to nervy one-goal margins, setting the tone for an exciting new campaign.
Rapid Magyar 2–0 Cairo City
Temple Mayor, Mata-Utu | Matchday 1, Season 23 Minors
The Minors season began with an intriguing clash between Rapid Magyar, a solid mid-table side from last year, and Cairo City, who struggled in Season 22 with just five points to their name. Both sides came into this campaign with an influx of new prospects from the S23 draft, including Arsène N’Goussou, a highly rated winger for Magyar, and Connor Reed, Cairo’s first-round pick who will also oversee tactical duties for both Cairo and Tokyo across the SSL.
Magyar lined up in a standard 4-3-3, while Cairo used a 4-2-3-1 system, hoping for more stability in defence.
Magyar started brightly, dominating possession and pinning Cairo deep. Their early pressure paid off in the 16th minute when Renzo Milano drove down the flank and whipped a low cross through the box. It bypassed several defenders before finding Greg Evil, who tapped it in from close range. After a VAR check, the goal stood. 1–0 Magyar.
Just four minutes later, Milano was involved again, delivering a pinpoint free-kick to Sam Albinson, who squared the ball across the face of goal for Evil to slot home his second. 2–0 Magyar.
Cairo thought they had pulled one back in the 34th minute when Phil Vilotte headed in from Xavier Simmons’ cross, but VAR ruled it out for offside. It summed up their first half, good build-up play but lacking precision in the final third.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Magyar remained composed, controlling the tempo while Cairo struggled to turn possession into chances. In the 67th minute, N’Goussou was brought down inside the area, and a penalty was awarded after a VAR review. Albinson stepped up but struck the post, letting Cairo off the hook.
Despite improved spells of possession, Cairo couldn’t break down Magyar’s disciplined defence. The home side’s midfield trio stayed compact, ensuring a comfortable 2–0 victory to open the season.
Magyar’s xG of 3.93 to Cairo’s 0.60 told the story, complete dominance even if the scoreline could have been heavier.
Man of the Match: Greg Evil, two goals, perfect positioning, and an instinctive presence in the box that made all the difference.
Krung Thep FC 3–0 Athenai FC
The Royal Grounds, Mata-Utu | Matchday 1, Season 23 Minors
A meeting between two sides that finished near the bottom last season, Krung Thep in 10th and Athenai in 9th, promised to show who made the bigger strides over the off-season.
Krung Thep lined up in an asymmetrical 4-3-3, while Athenai stuck with a straightforward 4-2-3-1.
The match opened at a blistering pace with Krung Thep firing on all cylinders. Bloodflame came close to scoring with a clever lob, while Athenai goalkeeper Askito Satoshi was called into action several times in the first half hour, keeping his side in the game.
In the 31st minute, Oliver recycled a short corner and passed to Wentworth, who laid it off for new signing Larv Itar. The recruit struck it first time into the top corner, a brilliant finish to announce himself to the Minors League. 1–0 Krung Thep.
That goal capped a half completely dominated by Krung Thep, with Athenai registering just 0.07 expected goals.
The second half continued in the same fashion. Krung Thep controlled possession and kept creating chances, with Satoshi again making several key saves. But in the 59th minute, Oliver delivered a corner that met the head of Stro, who powered it past the keeper. 2–0 Krung Thep.
Barely a minute later, Wentworth crossed in from the right and found Stro again, this time heading into the top corner to double his tally. Athenai simply had no answer to Krung Thep’s aerial dominance. 3–0.
Wentworth thought he had added a fourth in the 67th minute after finishing from a free-kick, but it was ruled out for offside.
Krung Thep kept pressing but couldn’t find another goal before the final whistle.
A dominant performance from Krung Thep, who looked unrecognisable from the team that finished 10th last year. Their intensity, structure, and set-piece precision sent a clear message to the rest of the division.
Man of the Match: Stro, his aerial presence and two headed goals secured a statement win.
Honourable Mention: Askito Satoshi, despite conceding three, his saves prevented the scoreline from becoming far worse and made him Athenai’s standout performer.
C.S. Rova Mpanjanka 1–0 Montréal United
Templo Mayor, Mata-Utu | Matchday 1, Season 23 Minors
Only three points separated these teams last season, setting up a tight contest between C.S. Rova Mpanjanka and Montréal United. Rova lined up in a standard 4-2-3-1, with close attention on Matt Oopsie Wrongsport Turk, one of their top draft prospects, and Jay Cue Jr., the quick and consistent right-back continuing his fine form from Adowa Accra.
Montréal, meanwhile, faced their first full season without former star striker Predrag Dobrić. They set up in a 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree formation and gave new goalkeeper Kaspar Talvik his debut after selecting him in the draft to fix last year’s defensive struggles.
Rova started on the front foot, dominating possession and territory from the opening whistle.
In the eighth minute, Cue Jr. went down in the penalty area, but after a VAR review the appeal was denied.
Their persistence paid off in the 30th minute when Tank Denstro’s free-kick dropped at the edge of the box for Matt Oopsie Wrongsport Turk, who met it first time with a rocket into the top-right corner. A dream debut strike from the rookie midfielder and a well-earned lead for Rova. 1–0.
Rova stayed in control for the remainder of the first half, keeping Montréal limited to long-range efforts.
After the break, Montréal grew into the game but struggled to turn possession into clear chances.
In the 58th minute, another penalty was awarded to Rova after a scramble in the box, only for VAR to overturn it.
Just five minutes later, Jay Cue Jr. was brought down again, but once more the referee’s decision was reversed. Three separate penalty claims were denied for Rova as frustration grew on the touchline.
The final twenty minutes saw Montréal create their best moments of the match, but Rova’s midfield continued to win second balls and slow the pace of the game. Despite Montréal edging the xG slightly, neither side found another goal.
It finished 1–0, a deserved result for C.S. Rova Mpanjanka, who looked sharp and disciplined from the start. Montréal showed glimpses of potential but clearly missed Dobrić’s finishing edge up front.
Man of the Match: Matt Oopsie Wrongsport Turk, a thunderous debut goal and a composed midfield display that secured Rova’s first win of the season.
Summary
Minors Matchday 1 (Part 1) showed a clear divide between teams ready to challenge early and those still finding their footing. Krung Thep and Rapid Magyar both looked dominant, while Rova’s narrow win hinted at a side with quiet efficiency. Cairo, Athenai, and Montréal will need a quick response in the next round to avoid slipping behind the early frontrunners.
Man of the Matchday Part (MotMP): Stro, two headed goals and a commanding performance that defined Krung Thep’s statement victory.
The first round of the SSL Minors kicked off with renewed energy and plenty of anticipation. Several new draft prospects made their debuts, bringing fresh life to the league and early glimpses of future stars. While some clubs built on last season’s foundation, others looked revitalised after busy off-seasons. The opening trio of matches offered everything from dominant wins to nervy one-goal margins, setting the tone for an exciting new campaign.
Rapid Magyar 2–0 Cairo City
Temple Mayor, Mata-Utu | Matchday 1, Season 23 Minors
The Minors season began with an intriguing clash between Rapid Magyar, a solid mid-table side from last year, and Cairo City, who struggled in Season 22 with just five points to their name. Both sides came into this campaign with an influx of new prospects from the S23 draft, including Arsène N’Goussou, a highly rated winger for Magyar, and Connor Reed, Cairo’s first-round pick who will also oversee tactical duties for both Cairo and Tokyo across the SSL.
Magyar lined up in a standard 4-3-3, while Cairo used a 4-2-3-1 system, hoping for more stability in defence.
Magyar started brightly, dominating possession and pinning Cairo deep. Their early pressure paid off in the 16th minute when Renzo Milano drove down the flank and whipped a low cross through the box. It bypassed several defenders before finding Greg Evil, who tapped it in from close range. After a VAR check, the goal stood. 1–0 Magyar.
Just four minutes later, Milano was involved again, delivering a pinpoint free-kick to Sam Albinson, who squared the ball across the face of goal for Evil to slot home his second. 2–0 Magyar.
Cairo thought they had pulled one back in the 34th minute when Phil Vilotte headed in from Xavier Simmons’ cross, but VAR ruled it out for offside. It summed up their first half, good build-up play but lacking precision in the final third.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Magyar remained composed, controlling the tempo while Cairo struggled to turn possession into chances. In the 67th minute, N’Goussou was brought down inside the area, and a penalty was awarded after a VAR review. Albinson stepped up but struck the post, letting Cairo off the hook.
Despite improved spells of possession, Cairo couldn’t break down Magyar’s disciplined defence. The home side’s midfield trio stayed compact, ensuring a comfortable 2–0 victory to open the season.
Magyar’s xG of 3.93 to Cairo’s 0.60 told the story, complete dominance even if the scoreline could have been heavier.
Man of the Match: Greg Evil, two goals, perfect positioning, and an instinctive presence in the box that made all the difference.
Krung Thep FC 3–0 Athenai FC
The Royal Grounds, Mata-Utu | Matchday 1, Season 23 Minors
A meeting between two sides that finished near the bottom last season, Krung Thep in 10th and Athenai in 9th, promised to show who made the bigger strides over the off-season.
Krung Thep lined up in an asymmetrical 4-3-3, while Athenai stuck with a straightforward 4-2-3-1.
The match opened at a blistering pace with Krung Thep firing on all cylinders. Bloodflame came close to scoring with a clever lob, while Athenai goalkeeper Askito Satoshi was called into action several times in the first half hour, keeping his side in the game.
In the 31st minute, Oliver recycled a short corner and passed to Wentworth, who laid it off for new signing Larv Itar. The recruit struck it first time into the top corner, a brilliant finish to announce himself to the Minors League. 1–0 Krung Thep.
That goal capped a half completely dominated by Krung Thep, with Athenai registering just 0.07 expected goals.
The second half continued in the same fashion. Krung Thep controlled possession and kept creating chances, with Satoshi again making several key saves. But in the 59th minute, Oliver delivered a corner that met the head of Stro, who powered it past the keeper. 2–0 Krung Thep.
Barely a minute later, Wentworth crossed in from the right and found Stro again, this time heading into the top corner to double his tally. Athenai simply had no answer to Krung Thep’s aerial dominance. 3–0.
Wentworth thought he had added a fourth in the 67th minute after finishing from a free-kick, but it was ruled out for offside.
Krung Thep kept pressing but couldn’t find another goal before the final whistle.
A dominant performance from Krung Thep, who looked unrecognisable from the team that finished 10th last year. Their intensity, structure, and set-piece precision sent a clear message to the rest of the division.
Man of the Match: Stro, his aerial presence and two headed goals secured a statement win.
Honourable Mention: Askito Satoshi, despite conceding three, his saves prevented the scoreline from becoming far worse and made him Athenai’s standout performer.
C.S. Rova Mpanjanka 1–0 Montréal United
Templo Mayor, Mata-Utu | Matchday 1, Season 23 Minors
Only three points separated these teams last season, setting up a tight contest between C.S. Rova Mpanjanka and Montréal United. Rova lined up in a standard 4-2-3-1, with close attention on Matt Oopsie Wrongsport Turk, one of their top draft prospects, and Jay Cue Jr., the quick and consistent right-back continuing his fine form from Adowa Accra.
Montréal, meanwhile, faced their first full season without former star striker Predrag Dobrić. They set up in a 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree formation and gave new goalkeeper Kaspar Talvik his debut after selecting him in the draft to fix last year’s defensive struggles.
Rova started on the front foot, dominating possession and territory from the opening whistle.
In the eighth minute, Cue Jr. went down in the penalty area, but after a VAR review the appeal was denied.
Their persistence paid off in the 30th minute when Tank Denstro’s free-kick dropped at the edge of the box for Matt Oopsie Wrongsport Turk, who met it first time with a rocket into the top-right corner. A dream debut strike from the rookie midfielder and a well-earned lead for Rova. 1–0.
Rova stayed in control for the remainder of the first half, keeping Montréal limited to long-range efforts.
After the break, Montréal grew into the game but struggled to turn possession into clear chances.
In the 58th minute, another penalty was awarded to Rova after a scramble in the box, only for VAR to overturn it.
Just five minutes later, Jay Cue Jr. was brought down again, but once more the referee’s decision was reversed. Three separate penalty claims were denied for Rova as frustration grew on the touchline.
The final twenty minutes saw Montréal create their best moments of the match, but Rova’s midfield continued to win second balls and slow the pace of the game. Despite Montréal edging the xG slightly, neither side found another goal.
It finished 1–0, a deserved result for C.S. Rova Mpanjanka, who looked sharp and disciplined from the start. Montréal showed glimpses of potential but clearly missed Dobrić’s finishing edge up front.
Man of the Match: Matt Oopsie Wrongsport Turk, a thunderous debut goal and a composed midfield display that secured Rova’s first win of the season.
Summary
Minors Matchday 1 (Part 1) showed a clear divide between teams ready to challenge early and those still finding their footing. Krung Thep and Rapid Magyar both looked dominant, while Rova’s narrow win hinted at a side with quiet efficiency. Cairo, Athenai, and Montréal will need a quick response in the next round to avoid slipping behind the early frontrunners.
Man of the Matchday Part (MotMP): Stro, two headed goals and a commanding performance that defined Krung Thep’s statement victory.
![[Image: ySrStzC.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/ySrStzC.jpeg)
![[Image: lisfor-3.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/sDzJYqYM/lisfor-3.png)
