Last season, SSFAC finished in 2nd position in the Premier Division standings behind Division Champion Shaheen. In both matches between the two teams, nothing was really settled as they played to 2 ties. This season both clubs were promoted to the Majors Division, and as luck would have it, the opening game of the season featured another battle between the two rivals. This time around the story would be different as South City played a flawless match in trouncing Shaheen 6-0. From the opening whistle, SSFAC put extreme pressure on Shaheen, preventing them from getting any sustainable attack going. The defense thwarted the few attempts Shaheen had, while the midfield and forwards shut off any play coming out of the Shaheen end as South City enjoyed spending the day pressing forward to score. Leo Monteiro opened the scoring after getting a great through ball from Paul Pavich to beat the keeper to the right corner. Soon after that, Blair Smith gave the team a 2-0 halftime lead as he slotted home a ball played to him from Pedro Crispin. The defense was superb as Reuben Wartens, Scott Ellis, Ali Ibrahim, Jack Orr, and Pavich limited Shaheen to just 5 shots, while goalkeeper Adrian Monroy collected his first clean sheet for SSF. The game was controlled by the midfield as Captain Bobby Quinlan and Gareth Lea anchored the center. Quinlan was instrumental in the positioning of the midfielders and forwards as he instructed the team when to put pressure on the Shaheen defensive back line which forced many errors and loss of possession. Quinlan also found the net with a beautiful strike from 24 yards out to up the lead to 3-0. Solid wing play from Omar Nawabi, Pedro Crispin, Leo Monteiro, and Shane Kutaka led to many chances for SSF to score, while at the same time giving Shaheen fits as they seemed to be everywhere on the pitch winning every ball. Nawabi had a fine day with a goal and 3 assists, and forward Adam Dhanens collected 2 goals, one from a great cross from Nawabi, and then other on a ball kept alive in the box that Dhanens back heeled into the net. Andrew Elliott had a huge game as he came in early for injured Alex Jackson and immediately forced errors from the Shaheen defense with his constant pressuring and movement. He was the difference maker early on as SSF began to establish their dominance. Fabio Marques also created some chances on net in the late going as SSF continued to press forward. It was a feel good day for the team as they displayed an attack that looked dangerous while the overall play seemed like the team was in mid season form. The new additions to the roster have made this team a serious player as it hopes to show well in the top division of the Peninsula Soccer League. Next up is a battle with Club Sport Maritimo on October 6th.
Last season, SSFAC finished in 2nd position in the Premier Division standings behind Division Champion Shaheen. In both matches between the two teams, nothing was really settled as they played to 2 ties. This season both clubs were promoted to the Majors Division, and as luck would have it, the opening game of the season featured another battle between the two rivals. This time around the story would be different as South City played a flawless match in trouncing Shaheen 6-0. From the opening whistle, SSFAC put extreme pressure on Shaheen, preventing them from getting any sustainable attack going. The defense thwarted the few attempts Shaheen had, while the midfield and forwards shut off any play coming out of the Shaheen end as South City enjoyed spending the day pressing forward to score. Leo Monteiro opened the scoring after getting a great through ball from Paul Pavich to beat the keeper to the right corner. Soon after that, Blair Smith gave the team a 2-0 halftime lead as he slotted home a ball played to him from Pedro Crispin. The defense was superb as Reuben Wartens, Scott Ellis, Ali Ibrahim, Jack Orr, and Pavich limited Shaheen to just 5 shots, while goalkeeper Adrian Monroy collected his first clean sheet for SSF. The game was controlled by the midfield as Captain Bobby Quinlan and Gareth Lea anchored the center. Quinlan was instrumental in the positioning of the midfielders and forwards as he instructed the team when to put pressure on the Shaheen defensive back line which forced many errors and loss of possession. Quinlan also found the net with a beautiful strike from 24 yards out to up the lead to 3-0. Solid wing play from Omar Nawabi, Pedro Crispin, Leo Monteiro, and Shane Kutaka led to many chances for SSF to score, while at the same time giving Shaheen fits as they seemed to be everywhere on the pitch winning every ball. Nawabi had a fine day with a goal and 3 assists, and forward Adam Dhanens collected 2 goals, one from a great cross from Nawabi, and then other on a ball kept alive in the box that Dhanens back heeled into the net. Andrew Elliott had a huge game as he came in early for injured Alex Jackson and immediately forced errors from the Shaheen defense with his constant pressuring and movement. He was the difference maker early on as SSF began to establish their dominance. Fabio Marques also created some chances on net in the late going as SSF continued to press forward. It was a feel good day for the team as they displayed an attack that looked dangerous while the overall play seemed like the team was in mid season form. The new additions to the roster have made this team a serious player as it hopes to show well in the top division of the Peninsula Soccer League. Next up is a battle with Club Sport Maritimo on October 6th.