Scores
Legon Cities 2 – 0 Elmina Sharks
While Asamoah Gyan remains a non-factor (just as Alex predicted last fall, the Royals new star striker, Hans Kwofie wasted no time in making his mark. A stellar brace provided all the offense the Royals needed, though to be fair, Jonah Attaquye’s dead ball skills set up at least one of those goals (highlights from the massive Accra Sports Stadium always leave me a little squinty).
Alebrijes 2 – 2 Correcaminos
Oaxaca might well feel hard done by here. They had the better looking attack over all, they spent long stretches of the game looking quite strong, but a cracker free kick from Correcaminos left them with just a point. That Ricardo Monreal’s ripping shot and Fernando Vasquez’s buckeroo header/goal celebration will end up as footnotes is small consolation.
St. Mirren 1 – 0 Ross County
As surely as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. As surely as there will always be a Scotland. When Ross County bags a boffo win one week, they’ll deliver a clunker the next. (John Hughes’ clump of midfielders sure slowed the game down, but it also made getting a winner nigh on impossible. Seriously, it’s been a month since Hary Paton and Jermaine Hylton led the charge…I’m just saying…)
Zlatibor 0 – 0 Vozdovac
It’s now 351 minutes without a goal for the Red Dragons and the mid-table is looking less like a comfortable perch to build for a future and more like an interminable space of surreal torture. Like Waiting for Godot, but less funny.
Grenoble 1 – 1 Niort [M]
Honestly, you have to feel for Adrien Monfry. After giving every ounce of his speed to try to track back and prevent a shot by Niort striker Pape Ba, he was pushed back, fell to his back and allowed his front toe to ever so gently graze Ba’s shin. The result was utter agony for Ba, a penalty for the visitors and a goal lead. [I honestly had to rewatch it three times in slow mode to catch the “foul”]. Monfry’s disbelief as the penalty and then yellow card come his way is something else. But Monfry didn’t have to bear the brunt of frustration as Moussa Kaillou Djitte once again was the right man, in the right place, at the right time to equalize late.
Aucas 2 – 3 Emelec [M]
In a match that was about as pretty as the south end of a north bound horse, Los Bombillos stayed perfect. Keeper Pedro Ortiz was terribly unlucky in giving back Aucus’ second goal, but their opponents’ defense obliged the Guyaquil crew’s attack. Facundo Barcelo again created havoc gaining an equalizer for himself and a late own goal to win it. [Watch the “highlights” if you must]
Leverkusen 1 – 2 Freiburg [M]
In a massive win, Freiburg took three huge points on the road from a rival for European qualification. Wearing a kit so yellow that even Big Bird would call it “a bit much”, Lucas Holer had an outstanding game with a gorgeous assist to Ermedin Demirovic and one of the world’s easiest tap in goals to seal it. If the mustard tops are the price to pay for breaking through in Germany, I’ll pay it.
Neroca FC 0 – 1 Punjab FC
Again, Baba Diawara did the business in front of goal to get the points. While his towering headers would make great Elephant graves, we really need to take a beat to respect the Punjab defense. Bikash Yumnam’s superb recovery to stop an easy counter. Souvik Das’ hustle back to save the day (as a winger no less). It wasn’t always easy, and there were times Kiran Limbu and others looked exasperated, but Curtis Fleming’s side has built a solid corps that can even withstand the forced absence of (suspended) Chenchyo Gyeltshen.
Le Havre 0 – 2 Grenoble Foot 38 [M]
Manager Phillipe Hinschberger opted for an unusual line up for les Grenobloises. A five man midfield included some new opportunities for little used role players cum goal scorers Wily Semedo and Anthony Belmonte (the latter of whom ripped an absolute banger). It also included Jerome Mombris playing way up the field…on purpose. But when Esteban Salles can maintain the form he’s had lately, it’s almost academic.
News & Notes
Here Come the Ladies
At last it’s time to bring a little parity back to these pages as women’s games are gearing up to start again in earnest
First, the French league announced (a little bit ago) that they’ll be back in March. After months in shut down, we’ll see if Grenoble’s lady’s side can break through alongside the men. (Or maybe we will, the official website lists Grenoble’s first match as June…so….).
Meanwhile lousy weather and lousier viruses conspired to keep Freiburg’s ladies away from the pitch for the better part of two months. Now they’re back and they get to face old friend Karla Buhl and Bayern Munich on the weekend. (Such Drama, much wow)
And finally, and arguably most wonderfully, the Big Sky Conference kicks off this week. It will be over a year since the Griz last played, so naturally they’re kicking off with Montana rivals Montana State (Billings).
Baby Blues are Back
Minnesota United will bring back their baby-blue uniforms. It was very cool to see them back in the day and now…they cost a lot more and have a “pattern” that you can barely make out. Still though, nothing wrong with baby blues.
Player of the Week
Another week, another very hard choice to make. Lucas Holer did everything but pass out the popcorn in a critical Freiburg win, Bikash Yumnam, at just 17 years old, may already be past due for recognition. But we can’t ignore the fact that more assists, more goals, and more points have made Jonah Attuquaye instrumental in saving Legon Cities’ Bacon this year. In gratitude for both the great bacon and the good football, he’s our player of the week.
Standings Update
For the first time in forever everything stays where it was before. Emelec keeps the pole after starting out perfectly, Punjab, Freiburg, Grenoble and Legon continue to vie for further credit.
| Team | W | D | L | PPG | GFA | GAA |
| Emelec | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3.5 | 1.5 |
| Punjab FC | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.6 |
| Freiburg | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| Grenoble Foot 38 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 1.62 | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| Legon Cities FC | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1.60 | 1.3 | 0.8 |
| Ross County | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| Alebrijes | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 2.1 |
| FK Vozdovac | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.0 |
| Rosenborg BK | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
| Minnesota United | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
| University of Montana | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
What’s Next
Wednesday, March 3rd
7:00 SC Frieburg v. SC Sand [F]
7:00 Vozdovac v. Backa Backa Palanka
9:00 Cimarrones v. Alebrijes
Thursday, March 4th
Friday, March 5th
Saturday, March 6th
8:30 Freiburg v. RB Leipzig [M]
9:00 Eleven Wonders v. Legon Cities
9:00 Ross County v. Kilmarnock
7:00 Emelec v. Delfin [M]
Sunday, March 7th
7:00 SC Freiburg v. Bayern Munich
8:00 FK Metalac v. Vozdovac
1:00 Grizzlies v. Montana State Billings Yellow Jackets
Monday, March 8th
Tuesday, March 9th
Le Havre v. Grenoble Foot 38 [M]
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