Following on from the U9 success, it was now the turn of the Y5/6 children to showcase their talents at the U11 JISAC Invitational Football Tournament at the Beijing City International School (BCIS).
Following on from the U9 success, it was now the turn of the Y5/6 children to showcase their talents at the U11 JISAC Invitational Football Tournament at the Beijing City International School (BCIS).
The U11 Girls team, led by newly appointed Girls Sports Captain Lizzie Sutton, made a promising start edging a tightly contested opening game against BIBA. Stern defensive work by Tashi Sutton and Keira Yu prevented any danger to Sophie Armstrong in the BSB Sanlitun goal. The breakthrough came midway through the first half as persistent pressure from Lizzie Sutton and Elsa Jarvis led to Sophia Grob-Fitzgibbon placing a low effort that flew in off the post and into the back of the net. BSB Sanlitun piled on the pressure but were unable to add to their tally as the game played out and a solid start was made to their football campaign.
With the girls setting the tone, it was the U11 boys who stepped up to the challenge recording a gritty victory of their own with an opening win against Harrow. After numerous missed chances, good work and pressure from Gaspar Cortes-Thonon and Abdul Khan, the ball was bundled into the back of the net by the new Boys Sports Captain, Archie Carlin. BSB Sanlitun held on despite a late flurry of attacks thanks to some smart goalkeeping from Rocky Jing and brave defending from Josh Masuka and Marco Marescialli.
In their next game, the girls made it two wins from two with yet another 1-0 victory, this time at the hands of Harrow. Another solid attacking display from the girls was capped off with a well taken goal by Lizzie, who reacted quickest to a defensive lapse to blast the ball into the back of the net! Celine Zeng came into the team at the heart of the defense, providing great cover for Tashi and Keira. Elsa and Sophia were relentless in their attacking along with goal scorer Lizzie as the girls maintained their 100% start!
The boys also made it two wins from two soon after as they stepped up their level of performance to defeat BIBA 2-0 in a superb team performance. Midfield dynamo Oliver Kerry stole the show with two well taken goals either side of half time. Mr Magson changed the tactics, introducing Cristiano Grau in defense allowing Josh Masuka to be released further into the attack. The impact was immediate as Josh Masuka’s skill and close control caused havoc in the BIBA penalty area allowing Oliver to tuck the ball home. Kerry’s second was moment of magic as he drove across field before lashing a fierce drive into the far corner.
The girl’s final match was an evenly contested 0-0 stalemate with BIBA. With both teams cancelling each other out it was a tale of two defenses as Keira, Tashi, Celine and Sophie stood firm to withstand a barrage of attacks with Lizzie, Elsa and Sophie coming agonizingly close at the other end to sneaking a win! The girls finished with two wins and a draw from their three matches in a very, very impressive display of teamwork and commitment.
The best was saved until last however, with BSB Sanlitun boys producing the performance of the day with an emphatic 6-0 thrashing of HOPE. In what was a one-sided affair, BSB Sanlitun camped firmly in the HOPE half for large periods of the game with Rocky a spectator in goal. Oliver Kerry quickly asserted the boy’s domination with a quick fire double inside the opening 5 minutes. His second, a superb solo effort beating numerous defenders before taking it around the advancing goal keeper and slotting into an empty net. Kerry was shortly given the chance to complete his hatrick from the penalty spot which he coolly obliged. Joshua Masuka then grabbed himself a well-deserved goal with a calm finish from inside the box after unselfish build up play from Oliver and Archie. Archie Carlin fired home a fifth goal for BSB Sanlitun before providing the ‘icing on the cake’ with the goal of the day. Carlin thundered a long range shot which arrowed into the top corner sealing a memorable 6-0 win with almost the final kick of the game. The boys finished with a 100% record from their three games scoring nine goals in total and conceding none.
The girls and boys have certainly made big impressions with fantastic starts to their football seasons. Mr Magson could not hide his delight, praising all children who represented the school for their hard-work, commitment and will to succeed as a team.
The standards have been set; the real hard work starts now. Well done BSB Sanlitun!
By Thomas Magson
P.E. Teacher
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