As a soccer fan, I went to Allianz Stadium last Wednesday to watch another Asian Championship League game – Sydney FC Vs Shandong Luneng. From this game, I have learnt some things.
This was the second leg of the qualify match. The week before this game, Sydney FC was playing as away team in Shandong China. Sydney FC had a 1:1 draw game and won an away game goal.
An away game goal means if Sydney FC had another draw in the second leg of the qualify game and Shandong Luneng didn't score a goal, Sydney would be the winner because of the away game goal.
Before the second leg game started, the coach of Sydney FC said in the press that his team would put a great effort in attacking to win the match. However, the coach of Shandong Luneng said his team would do anything possible to win the match, as his team is not in an advantagous position. From the press conference, I knew the match would be exciting.
I was one of the 9,400 people in the Allianz Stadium on last Wednesday to witness the fabulous game. Before the referee blew the whistle to start the game, I was imaging the tension mounting between the two teams. What an exciting game it would be.
However, in the very first minute of the first half, Sydney FC scored the first goal from the first free kick in front of Shandong Luneng's box. The goal was so sudden; even the players of Sydney FC didn't quite know how to celebrate. On the other hand, all Shandong Luneng's players were shocked. To be honest, this goal only reflected that Shandong's players were not ready.
But this woke up the Shandong players and put all their effort in attacking Sydney FC's goal mouth. In the 25th minute of the first half, their efforts were rewarded. They equalised the game, 1:1.
This brought the score line 1-1 but more important, it was an away goal. After this goal, Shandong's players suddenly didn't know how to play soccer. Until this time it was a boring game to watch.
Second half
During the half time break, I was talking with my friends about the first half. They all believed Shandong would play better in the second half.
However, the drama happened in the 2nd minute. Shandong's defender didn't pay enough attention to let Sydney FC scored the second goal. The game was totally on Sydney FC's side, who were now one leg in the next round.
After Sydney FC Scored the second goal, they were focusing on defence. But in the 75 minute, they lost one defender with a Red Card. From this moment, Shandong controlled the game.
In the last 3 minutes of the game, Shandong's scored the equalised goal. They got 2 away game goals. The game was ended as 2:2, Shandong qualified into the next round.
From the game I have learnt 2 things and both biblical:
1 Always prepared for any challenge;
2 Don't give up until the last minute.
Oscar Duan is from China, he has an accountancy degree from University of Hertfordshire (UH) International campus in Malaysia, and has undertaken further accountancy studies in Australia for accreditation here. He is married to Heyley.
Oscar Duan's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/oscar-duan.html