It wasn’t pretty (apart from the Korean women) but mission accomplished. The Devils travelled to Seoul to begin the defence of their Yellow Sea Cup crown and came away with the spoils after a close game with the Survivors. Games between the two clubs are always a close affair and this one was no different in a forward dominated game decided by the boot.
After Beijing airports standard inefficiency had the players arriving at their hotel at 4am the team did not have much time to rest for what was going to be a tough game in warm conditions. There were concerns in the camp on game morning. The squad looked lethargic and there did not seem to be the normal pre match buzz. Some last minute game plans had to be altered as well as the pitch was far from normal and almost as wide as it was long with two metre in goal areas. However the conditions were the same for both teams and given the hurdles that had already presented themselves the Devils simply brushed this off and got on with the job.
Seoul started strongly and some early pressure resulted in an early 3-0 lead. The Devils appeared a little rattled but slowly started to get their confidence back and assert some control upfront led by Archer and Peacok. Following a further missed penalty opportunity by Seoul, some concerted pressure by The Devils led to a penalty opportunity in front of the sticks for captain Ker. Ably helped by some remarkably swift tee delivery, he slotted it over to make the scores 3-3. Already the game had an England v Scotland feel about it.
Playing into a strong wind, the devils were constantly turned around but they held on and actually went into the break at 3-3.
With the wind now at their backs the second half was there for the taking. The players own destiny was in their hands as they trotted out for the final 40 and the players discussed this at the break. They didn’t however take into account the Club Chairman, who in an expletive filled fit of sideline rage at a poor refereeing decision, managed to earn a penalty for the opposition when the referee mistook the comments as coming from a player. He claims he never swore and only looked to remind the referee about an obvious offside but we don’t believe him. Your potty mouth has no place here Mr Chairman. Callaghan wore the dick of the day jacket that evening in a first for a spectator. Anyone who ever comes to watch the Devils be warned….you are eligible.
Despite the penalty, the delay in play allowed the referee to see the touch judge flag (which the chairman claims he was referring to but we don’t believe a word of it) and Ker was given an opportunity to make it 6-3 which he took with ease. Again, swift production of the kicking tee was key here, this time exciting the sizeable crowd.
The Devils seemed to be in control even though the game was in the balance but could not get over the line for a try that would be the killer blow. A few errant passes and some poor decisions kept a very hard working Seoul side in the game.
With 15 to go Ker was given the chance to make it 9-3 and he did much to the delight of his team mates and the tee delivery person. After a prolonged period of pressure in having to defend their own line towards the end of the game (and the referee having to go off injured) The Devils held on to record a famous away win despite replacement referee Peter McCombe being overheard to say when trying to read the clock ‘What does it say? Im not wearing my glasses’.
There were some solid performances on the field none more so than Man of the Match Zach Fanders who was everywhere. All the players agreed it was well deserved.
To Seoul Chairman Ted Gray and all the other members of the Club a huge thank you. It’s a place the Devils love to come and visit and we look forward to repaying your hospitality. And after seeing the quality on display at the Hamilton hotel pool, expect requests for regular summer fixtures in the future.
Seoul Survivors: 3 (Pen x 1) Beijing Devils :9 (Pens Ker 3) Referee: Some Canadian guy, then Pete.
wow thats great!!! congrats…