The wind was blowing the sound of African drums and referees' whistles down the Keelung River yesterday in Taipei. It could only mean the expat soccer tournament was back in town.
The drums were from Ghana, but every continent was represented this weekend in Taipei, with players from Africa, North America, South America, Europe, Australasia as well as Asia playing for their various teams from all corners of Taiwan and demonstrating the ability soccer has to bring people from such diverse backgrounds together.
After a Saturday night of surprises in the English FA Cup, with Manchester United being eliminated by Portsmouth and Barnsley showing Chelsea the door, maybe some upsets were also on the cards in Taiwan's Spring Cup as 16 of the nation's expat soccer teams met at the Yingfeng Sports Park to do battle in the Cup and Plate competitions. They did not disappoint.
On Saturday, Tavern Premier League champions the Taipei Eagles were relegated to the Plate competition, while Shane and JFC, both languishing in the bottom half of the league, made it through to the Cup.
JFC made the most of their chance yesterday, winning all three of their group games to make it through to the final from Group E.
Meanwhile, in a very tight Group F, Taichung Compass came out on top after scoring in the final minutes in their last group game against the Kaohsiung 100 Pacers.
In the final it was the Japanese who made the stronger start, having two good chances early in the game, but they failed to convert and slowly Compass began to find their bearings, although they were not creating much in front of goal. At half-time the game remained deadlocked at 0-0.
Compass continued to dominate in the second half and finally got the breakthrough when a ball down the center led to a race between Compass striker Ben Bartlett and JFC keeper Tajima Koji.
Bartlett got there just before the on-rushing keeper, they collided and the ball looped into the empty net to give Compass the lead.
Koji required treatment from the medical team, but thankfully got back up to carry on.
JFC lifted the tempo to try to get back into the match, but it just was not to be. Their best chance was from a free kick just outside the penalty area that hit the post and flashed across the goal before anyone could get a touch.
Bartlett had a chance to finish the game off in the dying seconds but his effort went just wide.
Once again Taichung took the spoils on a visit to Taipei, with Compass taking home the Cup.
Earlier in the Plate competition, for the teams knocked out on Saturday, both Da-an and Carnegies won all of their group games to reach the final, an all-Taipei affair.
Carnegies, in control for most of the game and being directed by enthusiastic coach Craig Schofield, scored when Dane Tue Saabye collected the ball, turned and shot from the edge of the penalty area to put the ball past the keeper.
Da-an fought back, but the Carnegies defense were solid and there was no way back.
As for the individual awards, Sam Ellis of the Taipei Animals took the best goalkeeper award, while JFC's Omachi was awarded the Most Valuable Player, both voted for by the participating teams' captains. Shane's Scott Barnes won the golden boot for most goals scored after winning a penalty shootout following the final that involved the three players who scored three in the tournament.
Next stop for the teams will be Taichung in the summer, another chance for everybody to get together and spend a weekend of sporting action mixed with a lot of fun.
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