2025-11-19, 08:01 PM - Word count:
The fifth match of the SSL season saw us back at home facing off against Krung Thep FC. Off to a strong 3-1 start to the season, we were looking to keep it rolling with a strong performance against the visiting Krung Thep to solidify our push for the top minors division. The match started poorly when Matt Stro put a rebound past our goalie just two minutes into the match to put the visitors up 1-0, but we got it back just a few minutes later. Thomas Schwarte sent the ball up to me on the left side and I booted it towards the net, where it bounced around a few times before being put home by Robbie Schuurmans to even the score. The 1-1 deadlock didn't last long as Diego Machado got it right back for Krung Thep on a near-side header, and Machado doubled that lead when he took a forward pass and launched a shot to the far corner of the net that beat our goalie.
Late in the first half, we got a rush going for the home side and Heung-Man Smalls got the ball to Schuurmans on the other wing. In a play that had become familiar since last season, both me and Tank Denstro charged towards the goal, and it was Denstro that got the one-timer to pull us back within one goal. Even in only the second season of the team's existence, the Rova fans had gotten used to seeing a plucky side that could stay in close matches with heart and teamwork, and we were showing that fighting spirit once again in this match.
The score stayed at 3-2 for Krung Thep FC until deep into the second half. In the 78th minute, we got on a rush and Smalls sent a beautiful arcing pass over the defender right to my feet, racing towards the goal. The defender's frantic clearing attempt hit me and fell right back to my feet, and the goalie never had a chance as I sent a quick shot into the far corner of the net. My second goal of the season couldn't have come at a better time, as the score was now tied with less than 15 minutes left to go in regulation.
Late in the 86th minute, we had another chance develop and Jay Cue Jr. sent a pass towards the net from the goal line. The pass was slightly in front of where I was going to end up, but I stretched out my foot and just managed to get enough on the ball to tip it into the near corner of the goal. I had my first brace of the season and it was the tying and go-ahead goals in a key home match. We successfully killed the last few minutes off the clock, no more major chances popped up, and we were all of a sudden 4-1 and in second place in the SSL minors division, with our only loss being to the 5-0 AS Paris side that was in first. There would be many more trials over the course of the season, but I was really feeling the chemistry with my Rova teammates up front and we were making our case as a top contender for the minors title this year.
Late in the first half, we got a rush going for the home side and Heung-Man Smalls got the ball to Schuurmans on the other wing. In a play that had become familiar since last season, both me and Tank Denstro charged towards the goal, and it was Denstro that got the one-timer to pull us back within one goal. Even in only the second season of the team's existence, the Rova fans had gotten used to seeing a plucky side that could stay in close matches with heart and teamwork, and we were showing that fighting spirit once again in this match.
The score stayed at 3-2 for Krung Thep FC until deep into the second half. In the 78th minute, we got on a rush and Smalls sent a beautiful arcing pass over the defender right to my feet, racing towards the goal. The defender's frantic clearing attempt hit me and fell right back to my feet, and the goalie never had a chance as I sent a quick shot into the far corner of the net. My second goal of the season couldn't have come at a better time, as the score was now tied with less than 15 minutes left to go in regulation.
Late in the 86th minute, we had another chance develop and Jay Cue Jr. sent a pass towards the net from the goal line. The pass was slightly in front of where I was going to end up, but I stretched out my foot and just managed to get enough on the ball to tip it into the near corner of the goal. I had my first brace of the season and it was the tying and go-ahead goals in a key home match. We successfully killed the last few minutes off the clock, no more major chances popped up, and we were all of a sudden 4-1 and in second place in the SSL minors division, with our only loss being to the 5-0 AS Paris side that was in first. There would be many more trials over the course of the season, but I was really feeling the chemistry with my Rova teammates up front and we were making our case as a top contender for the minors title this year.
<center><img src='https://i.imgur.com/X6cSRMC.jpeg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /></center><br><center>Sig by Pandar</center>
![[Image: lisfor-3.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/sDzJYqYM/lisfor-3.png)
