The Blue Pandas get first 3 points following 5 goal flurry
The Blue Pandas 10 game losing streak has finally come to an end after the team defeated Average Joes in spectacular fashion on Thursday night.
They were able to lock in and shut out the noise to notch not only their first win of the season but their first points too. Goals from Anthony Quinn, Bryan Chung and Juan Diaz helped the team find the back of the net five times in the 5-2 win. Chung scored a hat-trick in 20 minutes to help seal the deal in the 2nd half.
“Personally, it feels great. I think our team deserved it big-time, especially this being our second game against this team”, said Muhammad Abbas.
Although, it wasn’t all easy going for The Blue Pandas for the majority of the match. Quinn’s go-ahead goal in the 8th minute from a soft strike in front of goal was canceled out just four minutes later following a strike from Dhirani. After a pass from Lee, his long ground strike went off the post and in to tie up the game.
Dhirani’s 2nd goal came in the 22nd minute following a corner that was fumbled by the goalkeeper while the ball fell to a wide open Dhirani. Average Joes led 2-1 heading into half-time.
“[I’m glad] we had enough guys that we could actually rotate and get fresh legs out there”, Abbas continued.
A common theme for The Blue Pandas in recent weeks was availability and in their case, a lack of it. The team routinely fielded teams of the bare minimum five players with very few, if any, substitutes. Needless to say, the lack of players resulted in tired bodies on the field and sloppy play, evident by their seasonal record. However today, the team had enough players to swap with and allow their guys to get much needed rest which could be attributed to the flip switching in the 2nd half.
The 2nd half told much of the same stories as its predecessor with Average Joes still knocking on the door for a 3rd goal. With balls put wide or goalkeeper saves, Average Joes’ goal tally stayed at two.
Average Joes lead vanished in the 28th minute from what was the first of many for Chung. On the counter attack, Bhagwat played a cross field ball to Chung who controlled the ball with a few touches and booted the ball into the net.
The deadlock was broken in the 38th minute with Chung’s brace. A great chip over the top by Houate found Chung making a run and the result, as usual, a goal.
To follow from Chung’s goal were chances for both teams, though not resulting in anything until a failed clearance from Average Joes found the boot of, one of the hardest workers, Juan Diaz who put his laces through the shot to send the ball into the top with one of the cleanest strikes you’ll ever see.
Oddly enough from a team usually on the wrong end of a scoring spree, The Blue Pandas weren’t done with just four goals. A minute after Diaz practically put the game to bed, Chung dribbled and dribbled until decided to sent the ball towards goal, resulting in the finishing touches courtesy of a hat-trick for him and five goals for The Blue Pandas.
“I think our guys played great [and] I think we can sustain this next week. I know when we have enough bodies we really play well [and] hopefully next week we can get a point.”
Job done for The Blue Pandas and the pressure heightens for Average Joes. The two in action tonight find themselves level on points (3) with The Blue Pandas having the slight lead by way of goal difference. As the final day approaches, it’ll be interesting to see where these teams end the season.
Player of the Match – Bryan Chung
Average Joes – The Blue Pandas FC – 2:5
Goals: Dhirani (12′, 22′) – Quinn (8′), Chung (28′, 37′, 48′), Diaz (47′)
