Late equalizer by Max Busch gives valuable point on the road
Miami Dutch Lions FC traveled to Naples on Sunday for a game between the numbers 1 and 2 in the Sunshine Conference standings. Naples United FC was 3-0-1 coming into the game while the Lions were 2-0-0.
The first half was very open in an exciting game for the crowd. Naples United FC scored 1-0 in the 3rd minute when a corner kick was deflected and a Naples player was wide open on the second post to score. Five minutes this core was 2-0 already with a deep ball behind defense on the left side and a composed finish from the right winger of Naples United FC. The Lions pulled one back in the 13th minute when Thijs Middeldorp was played the ball in his feet on the right side of the box going towards their goalkeeper. Thijs dribbled passed him and had a clean shot in goal: 2-1. Five minutes later Naples scored again when a free kick on the left side was headed in just before Peter Wentzel extending the lead to two again. The Lions took over control of the midfield at that point and started playing their combination play resulting in three chances but two times their goalkeeper saved and one shot went over the crossbar. Naples United FC also had two good opportunities but Wentzel came up big both times. The game seemed to go halftime with a 3-1 score but in the 44th minute the Lions had some luck when a Naples defender headed the ball on a free kick from the right over his own goalkeeper for a 3-2 score.
In the second half it was the Lions who had a chance to score the equalizer already in the first minute when Thijs Middeldorp was going towards goal but he slipped. The game then changed with both teams more organized in the back and neither team having possession very long, resulting in more of a battle throughout the course of the game with both teams not really creating any good chances. The last 6-7 minutes of regular time the Lions pushed Naples back and the break came in the 89th minute when Max Bush went down inside the box and the referee gave a penalty kick. Max stepped up himself and converted for a 3-3 score. “Today was really a hard fought game. Napels put a lot of pressure on us from the beginning and made it difficult for us to play our own style. I feel it was really us giving up balls too easy that gave Napels the chance to hurt us. But it’s a great learning moment for us to see where we are in the league and how we can handle opposition that puts us under a bit of pressure. But the boys did show a lot of character this evening, and as it is a good trait to have for a season and competition like ours to travel back to Miami with a tie. We all understand after tonight’s game there is still a lot of work to be done, but we are looking forward to it”.
Miami Dutch Lions FC continues the season on Wednesday June 9 when they travel to Boca Raton for a midweek game.