Scores
Legon Cities FC 1 – 0 WAFA
Hallelujah! The Royals won a game!! And yes, again, the goal came from the penalty spot. And yes, again, there was a silly red card right before the end of the match, but as head coach Bashir Hayford said, “”If today, we won that means, Legon Cities can win matches.” Yer darn tootin’ Bashir! (And I’d wager that if they work on off ball runs and settling scoring chances in the box it’ll be a lot more matches)
Punjab FC 1 – 0 Aizawl
The Northwesterners didn’t waste much time kicking off their campaign. Their young defense was tested repeatedly by Aizawal’s attack and came up resolute. Meanwhile Chenchyo Gyeltshen came up empty on his numerous attempts. In the end the difference was Ningthoujam Pritam creating a goal out of a seemingly nothing clearance. Either way, Punjab starts out rolling.
Grenoble 2 – 2 Auxerre [M]
Les grenobloises flagging form forced Phillip Hinschberger to make some drastic moves. After ceding a penalty at two-nil down, the coach sent in 4 subs including two up top to try and rescue the side from dropping a second straight match to promotion rivals. It worked as substitute Marcelin Anani found the net after a terrifying Jerome Mombris run and assist. Then Loic Nestor nabbed the late equalizer (it helped Auxerre sun Aly Ndom was red carded two minutes after joining the fray).
Freiburg 5 – 0 Koln [M]
The offensive outpouring continues from Freiburg with Ermiden Demirovic leading the line. His two assists and a goal delivered on the promise he showed when Freiburg brought him in over the summer. The complete team play gave the Griffins their 5th straight Bundesliga Win heading into a battle with the behemoths of Bayern Munich.
Livingston 3 – 1 Ross County
Despite a strong defensive showing for much of the match, it all come undone for County in the end. Harry Paton’s blast to set up Charlie Lakin’s finish knotted the score early, but late breaks for Livvi against a bedraggled Staggies line broke highland hearts.
Venados v. Alebrijes
Postponed due to positive COVID tests among Vendados
News & Notes
Dark Days
Apparently every body has to do this now: I STAND AGAINST VIOLENT INSURRECTION AGAINST ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DESTRUCTION OF FEDERAL PROPERTY IN THE NAME OF MORONIC CONSPIRACY THEORIES.
Hopefully you boys can use that in future Social Studies Projects.
Transfer Time
John Hughes has wasted no time taking action to add players to his Ross County squad. Anthony Andreu had been without a squad this season, and will bring an attacking midfielder to the table. Meanwhile Mohamed Maouche, Andreu’s fellow Frenchman will join him in the midfield during his first sojourn in Scotland.
Meanwhile Freiburg continued to set up their players for return, moving injured LB Gian-Luca Itter off to 2nd Division Greuther Furth.
Welcome back Alebrijes
When last we saw our favorite free wheeling south Mexican side, they had freewheeled straight to the bottom of the league. That disappointment aside, the team is now set to start fresh, and as Emelecs excellent second half form showed, all it takes is one.
Unfortunately that one good half will need to come without top scorer Franco Arizala who returned to top flight Veracruzano at the new year. Replacing him are younger and untested attackers Julio Cruz and Esteban Torres, while promising Leon midfielder Fernando Morales comes in on loan.
After their first match was delayed, Alrbrijes will look to kick off next Tuesday at home.
Get Jordy Gaspar a Haircut
Sure losing 3-0 during the week was hard, but you try finding a barber in Grenoble during quarrantine! Let the man have his hat!!
Player of the Week
Try as we might to find someone other than the obvious man of the match in the biggest win of the weekend, sometimes it just makes sense to honor the obvious candidate. Bravo Ermedin Demirovic! Glad to see you finding your form!
Standings Update
Punjab debuts with a dart at #2, while Legon Cities vaults past Ross County. Meanwhile Brice Mableu may be wondering why 2021 feels so much like 2020 all over again
| Team | W | D | L | PPG | GFA | GAA |
| SC Freiburg | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 0.5 |
| Punjab FC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Legon Cities FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Ross County | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| Grenoble Foot 38 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 2.5 |
| Rosenborg BK | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
| Minnesota United | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
| Emelec | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
| Vozdovac FK | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
| Alebrijes de Oaxaca | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
| University of Montana | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
What’s Next
Wednesday, January 13th
Thursday, January 14th
2:30 Golukam FC v. Punjab FC
Friday, January 15th
Saturday, January 16th
8:00 Toulouse v. Grenoble [M]
9:00- Aduana Stars v. Legon Cities
9:00 Ross County v. Aberdeen
Sunday, January 17th
8:30 Bayern Munich v. Freiburg [M]
Monday, January 18th
Tuesday, January 19th
2:30 Punjab FC v. Churchill Brothers
5:00 Alebrijes v. CD Tepatitlan de Morelos
MacKenzie's Boot Room 