Palace Casuals

[talisman]

League Round 19, home vs Sefer FC of Dulce, Turkey. Level 23, AQ -3.5
Sefer FC were lying 10th in the table and enjoying a mini-revival, which Casuals nipped in the bud, but only just. After a goal-less first-half, in which the only event of note was another injury to home 'keeper Zoltan Bieder (second in three days!), things got very interesting in the second-half. Barely had substitute 'keeper Tran Cong Vinh taken his place and with the crowd just resuming their seats, and right-winger Johan Shaqiri sliced through the visitors' defence and scored to put the home side in the lead. Just three minutes later, however, and the match had turned on its head as Sefer scored two goals, through Yavuz and Ibrahimovic, to put them in the lead for the first time. Shaqiri and left-winger Omar Hansen scored two in two minutes to put Casuals back in front again, before the Ibrahimovic scored another equaliser to bring the score to 3-3. After a couple of wasted chances, the Casuals Management made one of those inspired changes which are seen in hindsight as a miracle-worker. Bringing on Catalin Neagu for fellow-striker Reda Mourad, the sub immediately made a run through the defence, his shot being parried out for a corner by the Sefer 'keeper, Schmitt. Neagu then got his head to the ensuing kick from Shaqiri, and he found the back of the net for a 4-3 lead, which Casuals kept to the end.



In evening training, 'keeper Tran Cong Vinh suffered an ankle strain, thus both Casuals shot-stoppers are out of action...

Palace Casuals injury stats - 10 injuries, 41 days.