Hong Kong Reds 2 v 1 AIG (I)

23rd June 2007, KO 9.30am, Hong Kong Football Club, Happy Valley

Team: Ken Abela, Duncan Micallef, Ian McAlan, Richard Day, Andrew Creber, Tony Chan, Matt Houghton, Andy Orr, Alessandro Calace, Anselm Fernandes, Russ, Jason Li, Alan Chan, Dave, Eric, James


Match Report by Duncan Micallef


After a short summer break and post some counselling sessions to recover from the bad luck suffered in Athens, the HK Reds were back in action and were to start their next run of games with a local derby against AIG. Fresh from sponsoring Man U to the tune of GBP50m, AIG had clearly run out of funds to sponsor their own team who had to rush to the shops to buy the only kit available at this stage of the season which was of course the German national kit.

Dave ’Benitez" Oh had given the team clear instructions for the day with expectations high and had "kindly" arranged for the game to be kicked off at 9.30am on a Saturday morning and then himself decided to stay in bed and send his assistant coach, Ian "Big Phil" McAlan, to manage affairs on the day.

The whole team turned up early, knowing places (and more importantly team socks) were in short supply and it became quickly apparent that this was going to be the hottest day of the year (no doubt until our next game). It looked like a day for beach volleyball and the pitch gave that impression too with barely a blade of grass in sight. It was already 30 degrees as the team took to the field for a tough warm up regime consisting generally of smoking, lying down and hoofing balls well over the bar.

One of the new team members, who will remain nameless for his own protection, appeared in a gleaming AC Milan kit saying "I’m with you" to a shocked Ian who then felt obliged to change the team set up to fit in what we assumed would be a Kaka like midfielder.

With Ian’s pre-match wisdom still with us all, the match kicked off and the Reds immediately took control. Despite the pitch, the passing was smooth, with Andy and Richard masterful at the back, the fullbacks Duncan and Ian demonstrating a master class in wing back play, Matt and Tony driving forward, beating men and getting crosses in, Ale showing his Italian flair, Andy tenacious and controlling the play from the middle and Anselm and Russ making run and after run and raining shots in on goal.

There was a difference in class in the first 20 mins and the Reds’ pressure finally told from a well practiced set piece. A corner on the right side led to what the coach had called the "scorpion" and 6 players tightly grouped in the box and coiled together suddenly moved to leave the main "tail" - Russ - to rise above the rest and sting the ball home with a poisonous header. 1-0 and surely there’d be more to follow.

AIG began to up their pace though and the Reds’ defence was awesome. Andy anticipated everything that came through, getting tackles in and winning everything in the air. His partnership with Duncan down the left was letting nothing through despite some speedy opposition and defence was quickly turned into attack. On the right, it was just the same with Rich and Ian crushing every move that came their way and spreading the ball around with ease.

Ian decided at this stage to take himself off to get a better "coaching" view and make some well timed subs. Jason, Alan, Dave, Eric and James all slotted into the total football system only seen better on the training ground in Ajax and just as half time was approaching, Tony "5 packs of ciggies" Chan decided to take matters into his own feet. As the ball was cleared by AIG, it came bounding to the half way line and Tony was the first to react. He took one touch and - just as Alonso has done on several occasions - spotted the keeper a few yards off his line. From all of 50 yards and just inside the Reds’ half, he blasted the ball into the top corner for a goal-of-the-season contender. By the end of the night, this goal became an 80 yard screamer of course, but a little exaggeration would be permissible on this occasion given its magnificence.

Half time and 2-0 to the Reds - job seemingly done? Ian got his Phil Thompson book of management out at half time and was able to give us those little tips we were craving, such as "come on lads" and "you can do it" which made all the difference as the second half started. The heat began to tell in this first game of pre-season and with no Liverpool action to inspire us on the TV, we would have to dig deep.

Unusually, Ian had not spiced up this game with either an own goal or red card incident and so it was left to others. Duncan and Matt combined well down the left and Matt went on a mazy run only to see the ball run through to the keeper. His momentum carried him into the last defender who went down like a sack of Ronaldo and got up like a piece of Rooney, gesticulating like something only previously seen on the Discovery channel. Matt was thinking about having some, but Jason certainly fancied all of it and was not going to let the honour of the Reds be tarnished. Swear words in 17 dialects followed, including scouse, until it became clear that we’d run out of handbags and the game resumed.

Ken had been very solid in goal picking up all the pieces in what was, he informed us, his first of a "double header" for the day - we didn’t ask questions!! But then a looped-in cross was somehow missed and landed fortuitously in the goal and with 10 mins left, AIG had given themselves a lifeline. That was to be a false glimmer of hope though as the Reds saw through the rest of the game comfortably, heading to the showers where Jason would continue the debate as to who pushed who first and Ken would be very lonely as he continued the double header talk.


Man of the Match
Andy Creber - imperious at the back with a performance that was as near to perfection as it comes.


Wally Wallet award
After 6 months of Ian holding this award, Jason has finally wrestled it away for his verbal volley and for being able to swear in over 10 languages.
Previous match reports
HK Reds v Spartans Vets
HK Supporters’ 6s 2009
HK Reds v USRC
HK Reds KL Tour 2007
HK Reds v Savills (II)
HK Reds v AIG (II)
HK Reds v AIG (I)
HK Reds v Savills (I)
Dynasty v HK Reds (II)
Dynasty v HK Reds (I)
Manarise v HK Reds
Sandy Bay Strollers v HK Reds
Pepsi Shooters vs HK Reds

Want to play for the Hong Kong Reds football team?
11-a-side-team please email: dave@hongkongreds.com


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