'Tis the season to get 2-2 away draws

Three Lions FC have had a decent week with not much in the way of points but decent results with a couple of 2-2 away draws to strong teams this last week.

First up was a visit to the Emirates Stadium where Izuka was given the honour of playing Jimmy190's farewell game against his side Mexican Mafia, now known as Legends of Arsenal. The visitors took a first-half lead through a Robin van Izu penalty but had to come from behind to earn a point after second-half goals from Demetrio Delpiano and Shinosuke Isimaru in the space of just 4 minutes. Luckily, young striker Luca Tonizu popped up with a stunning long range strike 7 minutes from time.

"It's always nice to score goals as a striker, actually, for any other player on the field as well it's a great feeling. I've scored a good handful of goals in the league before but I'd say this has been my best so far. In this team, you don't get many matches as a third-choice striker but now that I've shown what I'm capable of, I'm hoping the manager will consider me more often for our games," said young Luca after the match.

Three Lions FC then came from 2 goals down to draw 2-2 at Padang MPK after Otto Andersen scored a brace to give hosts Pahang United a 2-0 lead by the 13th minute. However, the visitors once again proved their determination and headstrong attitude, everybody working together as a team and providing Robin van Izu with a brace of his own.

The manager singled out Henning Berg for praise after the midfielder provided both assists for van Izu in the manager's eyes. "Henning is an offensive-minded midfielder and rather flexible too. Nobody can deny that our midfielders certainly caused some trouble by changing positions and Henning played well both in the centre of midfield and down the wings as he earned our penalty while making his way into the box and provided some excellent crosses throughout the game," crowed Izuka after the game. "He's got two assists to his name, and that's what midfielders are all about. When they get chances at goal, they should take them, but assists matter more and Henning has two to his name so far this season. If he continues in this kind of form, I think some of our other midfielders may have to make way."