Quote of the Week by Wayne Bridge

“It doesn’t matter what happened in the game - we got the three points.”
Wayne Bridge gets confused after winning the Carling Cup final with Chelsea.

Best Penalty Ever? You Cannot Make It Up.

When is a card red or yellow?

The different fouls that make the ref get out the red or yellow card.

There are seven different offences that can get you a yellow card:

Anything that can be deemed as unsporting behaviour
Dissent by word or action

Lions Thrash NLO One Nil

MATCH REPORT NLO 0 – 1 Dutch Lions
by Peter Clark

The Lions continued their post Christmas winning streak, making it four on the bounce with a narrow away win over NLO.

In truth, the winning margin should have been far greater, but the NLO keeper was in inspired form, making at least half a dozen saves from one-on-one situations. However, three points are three points, and the climb up the table continues.

The Lions made one change from their last match, with Ahmed dropping back into midfield to replace the unavailable Julian, and Jabba partnering Paulo up front.

The Lions started off positively, with Pedro and Ahmed soon in control in midfield, while Timid, Jabba and Paulo’s movement was obviously going to pose the somewhat ponderous NLO defence a few problems. Several chances went begging, while the referee pulled back Timid for a free kick when he was right through, with no advantage allowed.NLO threatened sporadically, without threatening Aaron, whose concentration proved spot on when he made a magnificent save from a free kick in NLO’s only shot on target in the first half.

All the pressure and the football was from the Lions though, and they were duly rewarded when Paulo scored. Despite the neat football, this goal was strictly route 1. A long free kick from Grant was allowed to run through to the alert Paulo, who calmly tucked the ball past the keeper into the onion bag.

Further chances went begging, and the Lions were denied a clear cut penalty when Paulo again latched onto Peter’s searching fifty yard pass to race clear. In the act of shooting, his heels here kicked, and unbelievably, the ref waved play on.

Turning round at 1-0, NLO came more into the game. Their right winger began to find a bit of space and their midfield started to win a few challenges. Despite this, chances still came and went at the other end, with the NLO keeper making numerous blocks and saves, including one point-blank effort from Ahmed. Taila and Yasser came on for Timid and Jabba as the Lions reasserted themselves, and with numerous stoppages for injuries to NLO players, the game drew to a stuttering close without further goals.

So, nothing spectacular, and it should have been more than 1-0, but still a good solid performance.

Aaron exuded his usual confidence from the goal, while Ollie and Grant were imperious in the middle of defence, and Noel’s pace and skill proved again to be too much for the opposition’s right wing. Good to see another clean sheet.

Hamzeh worked the right wing, skinning their right back n a couple of occasions, while Pedro and Ahmed were working as hard at the end as the beginning.

For once, Timid found himself up against a full back that matched him for pace, yet still caused the opposition’s defence all sort of problems. Up front, Jabba and Paulo worked the line, and Paulo’s ability to get shots on target means he will score a good few more goals before the end of the season.

The top half of the table beckons, with fourth place at least surely now a realistic target.

Nuff Said..

Real Madrid striker Robinho says he will not be going to Tottenham because he will only move to “another big club”. (Daily Mirror). 

10,000 Hits So Far..

Thanks for hitting us people. I am amazed with this figure and really proud of what we have. I think the guest match day reporter thing is working out well too. Ahmed, Grant and Noel appear to be enjoying the whole reporter ting of late. Cheers also to Timid for the great new banner above.

Some of my personal highlights in the past 5 months would have to include our first Real post getting the club off the ground, Our first League win, The John & Timid Show, The exchange of Wrestling moves with Gwalia and Junior Pony Treking in Hertfordshire. Tell us what yours was?

Make www.dutchlionsfc.co.uk your homepage now!

Lions Winning Streak Continues in the Cup

Highgate Albion 1 Dutch Lions 2 
Match Report by Grant 

Today the Dutch Lions faced arguably their toughest match to date as they took on a team in the league above in the cup. Morale was high on the back of two straight wins for the Lions after a productive team meeting at the pub.

An ominous sign was the Robin Red Breast spotted by gaffer Donald at the John Lyon  car park and from then on hopes were high, (some of you may remember the sighting prior to our win against NLO) the scene was once again set for a Dutch Lions domination.

Dutch Lions are devoted Bird Watchers

After a long and hard journey up the A1 we arrived at the opposition car park. I must admit seeing Arran still High from the previous night’s antics didn’t give me the up most confidence but even a high Arran is better than most.

There was an air of confidence around the Lions changing rooms you could smell it in the air, or was that Mo? Anyway we got changed and began warming up, after an inspirational team talk from Don, Pedro and The Lions own Jose Mourinho AKA John Ramalho we were ready.

The opposition started brightly and came at us strong, the Lions held out carving out a few chances of our own only to be denied by some good stops from the Highgate Keeper. Then came the opposition’s goal created by a nippy winger cutting inside and laying the ball through to an ozzy who scored. Rubbish goal.

The Lions response was equal to QPR drawing with Port Vale 4 – 4 after being 4 – 1 down with 10 minutes to go. We pulled together as a team and were determined not to be beaten, soon after, a chance to pull level was created with the keeper caught in no mans land after a good ball over the top to Paulo whose shot was cleared of the Line by a Highgate defender.

The Lions felt there time was now and began to put the Highgate defence under some serious pressure which paid off with Tim Head breaking down the line and slotting a passed shot to the left of the keeper. The lions fans (Hamzeh’s kid brother) were sent into raptures and the assistant struggled to hold them back.

Further Lions domination led us in for the half time team talk when we re-capped on the points talked about prior to the match. After a brief chat we were ready to kick some arse.

What came next was magical, Tim Head showed excellent skill to beat three men in the middle of the park and dink a ball over the top to in form stirker Paulo Ramalho. Paulo took the ball down and unselfishly layed the ball square to Buzzy Ajjour who blasted the ball past a despairing HighGate goalkeeper his 3rd in two games. Great Goal, that’s how football should be played.  
 
From then on Highgate were out to win and threw everything at us however we stayed strong with Julian and Pedro taking the pressure of the two centre backs and Peter Clark, Noel, Hamzeh (replaced by Macca) and Tim Head dominating the wing play. The Lions got what their performance deserved and our in the hat for the next round. The match was only tarnished by some harsh words from the HighGate “AV IT” winger who received a red card for his efforts, well done that man!
Finally I would like to make a special mention to Ollie, my right hand man, who has been in outstanding form of late.  Julian who remains resilient in the middle allowing Pedro a bit more room to attack, Paulo who never stops nibbling heels and Ahmed who is just simply scoring his chances.

Timid as usual showed us why he doesn’t always pass with some excellent skill and final balls forward to the front two. Arran was excellent in goal and saved the defence on more than one occasion.

And finally the team in general (especially Grant) was fantastic. If we can keep this form going there is no reason why we can’t beat who ever the League put in front of us. Let’s win this cup.

Leave Arsenal At Your Peril

Here’s My Theory
Bobby Pires - Cruciate ligament in his left knee, Eduardo César Gaspar AKA Edu - knee ligament damage also, Overmars - Persistent knee injury forced early retirement, Anelka - Just Plain toilet after Wenger, Pascal Cygan - Arrested for impersonating a football player & Now Ashley Cole with knee ligament damage. Strange but true.

The Funniest Section of Ashley Cole’s Book “When I heard Jonathan (Barnett) repeat the figure of £55k, I nearly swerved off the road. “He is taking the piss, Jonathan!” I yelled down the phone. I was so incensed. I was trembling with anger”

MATCH REPORT:AFC Finchley 0-3 Dutch Lions

28/01/07 By Noel Jones (aged 23 and a bit)

After the Dutch Lions first win of the New Year two weeks ago against Gwalia, the team wanted to keep the momentum going.
There was one change from the team that beat Gwalia, Peter Clark came in for Taela at right back. The Line-up as Follows:

 

The first half was all Dutch Lions and we were all over them from the first minute to the last.  Timid scored his first of two goals when he picked up the ball on the left, took on a couple of AFC Finchley defenders before drawing the keeper and sliding the under him.

This wasn’t a dirty game but it will be remembered for one outrageous challenge when the number six of AFC Finchley took out Pedro. He should have been sent of but the ref was very lenient giving him only a yellow card.
The Dutch Lions bossed the game as AFC Finchley barely got out of there half in the first half. You would not believe this is the same side, which gave as a 4nil spanning earlier in the season. Dutch Lions got there second midway thought the first half Paulo scored. Dutch Lions were 2-0 up at half-time……
It seemed to take a while for as to find our feet as we were kicking up hill and against the wind in the second half. Timid got his second goal of the game and that point it was game, set and match. Aaron has very little to do and whatever saves he had to make he done very well.
We could and should of scored more but the most satisfactory is that the team kept a clean sheet and the will help confidence within the team.
The team had a job to do and went about in professional manner!!!!
There is still a lot of work to be done but all in all a job well.
  
Noel Jones
29/01/07

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It worked for me. 

MATCH REPORT WIN Dutch Lions 3-1 Gwalia

DUTCH LIONS  3 - 1  GWALIA
 
Its a New year and the Lions endeavoured to make a new start in the league. The team was back to the 4-4-2 formation with some changes as follows:
 
                                                   Arron
 
                        Taela          Oli            Grant         Noel
 
 
                        Timed        Julian       Pedro       Timed
 
 
                                          Ahmed        Paulo
 
For a change the sun was shining and the Lions started brightly. But with 15 minutes gone the worst happened, a Gwalia throw-in was met by grant, but the ball looped over the back of the defence and fell at the feet of the Gwalia striker, Arron rushed out to make the block, but the ball got stuck in the mud allowing Gwalia to place the ball into the net and put Gwalia 1-0 up.
 
The Lions heads did not go down and the rest of the first half saw a dogged display with the Lions dominating possession and chances, though by half time we had nothing to show for it. Tackles were flying in restricting Gwalia’s chances and those they had were confidently handled by Arron in goal.
 
The second half saw the Lions again pressing forward. Meanwhile the defence survived several penalty box scrambles by throwing everything they had at the ball. The grit and determination eventually paid off when a though ball split the Gwalia centre backs. With Gwalia’s offsite cries falling on deaf ears Ahmed went clear and stayed composed to pass it past the keeper. With the score at 1-1 the Lions were back in the match.  As the game progressed Julian and Pedro’s battling in the middle kept the ball in the Gwalia’s half more and more. Ahmed and Paulo doggedly pressed their defence into making mistakes while Noel and Taylor pushed forward to apply more pressure.
 
The rewards came when Ahmed again found space and broke free to slot home Dutch Lions second goal! With the Lions 2-1 up Gwalia looked like a defeated side. With 10 minutes remaining the Lions were awarded a free kick and I was surprised to see Taela step up to take control, but that was nothing compared to the shock of seeing Grant running onto Taela’s shot which had gone through the leeky Gwalia wall. Grant shot past the keeper leaving him stranded, resulting in high fives all round and wrapping up the game for the Lions. In the end it was a well deserved victory and it could have been by more with Timid unlucky not to add to the score.
 
It was a fantastic response to the new year with everyone playing with heart and determination. The defence were solid and we nearly doubled our seasons goal tally in one game - well done lads, but lets not get carried away - we need the same every week!
 
Oli

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A Video ipod 4Gb, Camera, Google maps, Traffic, Email, Touchscreen, WiFi, Bluetooth, Internet device. Trust me, you will want one.
Out In The Uk In The 4th Quarter Costing Apx. £270/$499
It is so cool. Watch at www.apple.com/iphone/phone/

MATCH REPORT Stag 5-1 Dutch Lions

Reg Ellis Cup - Match report written by Ahmed Ajjour

Sunday the 7th of January felt different compared to the previous Sundays I had experienced. It probably was because it was the first Sunday of the New Year, it felt like a new start, it felt fresh. In practice it was no different, we all met at the same meeting spot and I was one of the last to arrive. We took off at around 9.30 and arrived at the ground by about 9.50 after some difficulties in finding the entrance. The area appeared very posh and peaceful and the park that the pitch was in looked well presented and clean, it was definitely different compared to west London.

It took a good twenty minutes for the changing rooms to open, after finally getting changed and getting certain players to come to terms with the club not providing any toilets, we made our way to the pitch. It was no different to any other game, we warmed up in the same way and carried out the same stretches, we had a team huddle and a few motivating speeches. Everyone looked optimistic (as usual).

Don started the game with, Mo in goal, Pete and new addition Wolf man in the centre back, Ole left back, Tailor right back. In the midfield, Hamzah was right, Pedro and Grant in the middle, Macca left, me (Ahmed) and Paulo up front. The first 10-15 minutes you can say that we were all over them, the midfield started of brightly and the defence looked positive and calm. We had a few chances with myself going through on goal in the first few minutes, were if I had been more composed we would have been one up. Paulo had a chance a couple of minutes later but was off-side. We carried on the pressure with Hamzah, Pedro, Grant and Paulo linking up well and penetrating through the heart of their team. I and Macca were linking well down the left hand side and the defence was passing the ball on the ground. At that point it felt like a new year and we looked like a new team.

When the strong dominance we had in the opening 15 minutes was over, things started changing. It was as if somebody had pressed a self destruct button, the team did just that, the opposition took full advantage. 3-1 down at half time. Same old story. We came out the second half with a lot of determination and ambition. Hamzah came off as he was carrying an injury, Timid replaced him with a straight swap down the left had side, which injected energy into the left tunnel. Moving the ball around in the way we know how to, we started the second half the stronger side.

In the first half we did that, that’s when we were at our best. It doesn’t take somebody like Albert Einstein to notice that playing the ball on the floor gives us an advantage over opposition. The pressure lasted again for about 15-20min and was not rewarded with a goal. It took just one long hoof like a rugby kick by the opposition and they were 4-1 up. Soon after it was 5, which was helped by a mistake from the keeper. The game ended this way (in a way, it was relieving; as it could have been worse had we played on for longer).

The same feelings, same disappointment, near enough the same score line and the same lack of understanding to why we had lost that game, but there wasn’t anybody to blame but ourselves. Our lack of focus, desire, belief, and fight throughout the ninety minutes was in large periods missing. One thing that I absolutely hate seeing in a football match is, when one of our players is talking to the opposition player and even sharing a joke with them while the game is going. A lot of players were guilty of that last week, and I’ve noticed it in the previous weeks. How do you expect to be focus on the game and on your position, when you’re too busy making friends?

It’s like some players wake up for the wrong reasons! Apart from that, I believe we can take a lot of positives out of the game, that is to learn from our individual mistakes, behaviour and attitudes towards the game and try to improve on them. I believe the best way to learn is from mistakes and we have a lot to learn. Every Sunday is a new chance to write a new script, let’s not have the script written for us, let’s go out there every Sunday and write our own.

Ahmed Ajjour

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Best Goal On The Road To Wembley

Nature at its best

Dutch Lions Christmas Night Out 2006

Started at Yates’s Harrow & Ended three days later in Watford. Pictures of the night can be seen by clicking on the link below:

Cheers Minty for the lift home. It was a good crack. What happened to Biggles at half time? How many birds did Timid pull? When we going back?

Dutch Lions 1-4 St Andrews Youth

Top Vs Bottom today and after our Christmas Party we were feeling optimistic. We started the game with a firm plan.  The first half remained tight with chances being wasted at each end. With the lions playing offside leaving one St Andrews Striker a yard offside, the ref decided to wave on after the lino indicated the clear infringment. One nil to St Andrews into half time. With a depleted squad Taela went right back with Arron keeping goal. Both had solid games. You could tell Taela was enjoying himself. A mixture of Defensive mistakes and not enough pressure gave St Andrews opportunity to build on their lead. 4 nil down and we are finally awarded something. A free kick off centre 20 yds out the Skipper Pedro ask his Bro if he is gonna score, Paulos response was short and sweet, just like the man. Yes Bruv. Paulo hit this ball with laser guided accuracy right into the top right hand corner. As soon as it left his foot it was in.  No keeper was gonna save that. St Andrews were able to bring a bunch of clowns up front for the last ten and fair play, I would like to be in thier position. In thier Manager they have a nice guy, I wish them well and hope they can win the league now.  No games until the new year so lay off the mince pies and recharge those batterys, 2007 is a new start for the Lions.

Peace & Merryment

MATCH REPORT Gwalia 3-0 Dutch Lions

An own goal followed by a a dubious second was enough to take Gwalia into the second half 2-0 up. The Lions swapped defence for attack in an attempt to win back some precious goals but our attacking was in vane with Andy the Gwalia Manager in goal having made some crucial interceptions with his size 13’s. Jabor forced a save in the second half and Grant tried tirelessly to make something happen. Paulo failed to get the kind of service he needed to really make an impact. Gwalia hit us on the break throught out the second half and got a third after some neat interchanging on the far side.

Seeing Gwalia’s keeper wrestle his own centreback to the floor in an attempt to “Control the situation” was comical but to be fair it did take the spotlight off a few of his own players in a game the ref didn’t have a grip on. Gwalia have two lads up front who were genuine, good lads, Look forward to seeing you fella’s again.

Overall a frustrating day in the office for the boys especially after beating this side last week in the Cup.  Next week league Leaders at the fairground.

League Update

BlarneyStone Celtic have been suspended for non-payment of fees, We now play Gwalia (Again) this coming Sunday at thier ground. We meet at 9:30am on Sunday at the John Lyon Pub. See you then team. Please also keep the 15th of December free for our Christmas night out starting at the Shed and moving onto later a larger shed a good bus ride ride away. Happy Dayz.