Big Bamboo Shanghai Shooters AFC

The Malone's Shooters became the first ever team from China to win the Nomads Manila International 6's, and join the list of elite Asian Amateur teams to win this very difficult tournament. Please read Ian Lee's tournament report by clicking on the headline: Manila Squad Manager: John 'Tactical Masterstroke' Jofre Team: Steve 'Packet of sweets' Brierley Larry 'Man of Sound' Langdon Andy 'Kaiser' Kilby John 'Mr. Reliable' Vinnai Brian 'Leetch' Wallace Bruce 'Did rather be a Shooter...' Aitken Rodney 'Red Card' Bolls Jing 'Lightning' Shen Ian 'Pressbox' Lee Matt 'Traitor' Sutton Nick 'Heelsnapper' Rose John 'Grantona' Grant Supporters: Various riff-raff from all 4 corners of the globe Day 1 This years Shooters squad was deprived the respective talents of Mackay, Allen and Compton, but support came in the form of seasoned campaigner Bruce Aitken - A 'Gary Mcallister' figure for this young (looking) Shooters team. Manila 2002 kicked off with a game against an Athletico de Wanchai side containing two very shifty but familiar looking characters - Steve 'the Judge' Watson and Mike 'Playing time' Tselmelis. No trade secrets were given away however and our heros romped to a 4 - 0 victory. Game 2 was against Beijing Sexy and again the well-drilled machine that is the Shooters rolled out another impressive 4 - 0 victory. The bookies were starting to take note and the odds on the Shooters were slashed. The Shooters supporters were merely sloshed. Game 3 was against the the tour hosts, the Manila Nomads, seemingly all on day release from Wandsworth especially for this game. Having seen the skills on display from a defensively solid but rapier sharp Shooters team, the Nomads decided that the best option would be to try to kill them. This they attempted to do through GBH, intimidation, shouting abusive language in front of children, extortion, bribery, and any other nefarious means at their disposal. Pantomime villains in fitting with the season. A very tough game ended in a 1 - 1 draw but only due to Langdon's irrational fear of leaving the ground. Nevermind though, our hotshot heroes had done a good days work and had qualified for the next day whence the competition would start in earnest. All that remained was for the Shooters and their entourage to retire back to the hotel for a cup of cocoa and an early night. Day 2 As the Sun broke across the beautiful cityscape of Manila, all of the Shooters were in their beds sleeping peacefully and dreaming of what excitement there was in the day to come... Game 4 and the tournament had reached the knockout stages. Fresh from a good nights sleep the Shooters took to the field and played arguably their best football of the two days, beating Nomad Braves 3 - 1. This set up the tie of the tournament so far, the all Shanghai derby - Lions vs. Shooters. Game 5 Both teams had brought their strongest squads. Both teams had gotten this far. Both teams had come here to win it. One team was going to go out. Always a spicy game, the shock signing of Matt from the Lions added an extra edge. A typically frenetic opening and challenges were flying in, but chances were few and far between. At half time it was 0 - 0. In the second half the game exploded as the pace and persistence of the Shooters, started to take its toll on a weakening Lions side. Constant rotation of the subs was the key to this game. Suddenly from a quick corner Granty burys one in the bottom right hand corner. The Shooter bench erupts, but not as much as the Lions bench does a minute or two later when a filthy tackle from Bolls results in a red card for him and a broken foot for an unfortunate Lions player. In truth a horrible incident and Rodney 'Keano' Bolls should be hauled in front of the F.A. pending video evidence. However, final score, Shooters 1 - Lions 0. The Shooters make the semis. Semi Final An odd game. A Vikings team clearly unwilling to win a game nor test an ever-improving Shooters team. A wall of men leads to a stalemate and the drama of the penalty shoot out. Could Langdon prove that the finger injury he picked up in a bizzare geranium trimming incident had fully healed? Jofre asks for penalty takers and 3 step forward. Vinnai and Kilby are asked to step back and 2 different takers are chosen. Granty calmly slots the first. All eyes on Langdon and he delivers, with the immaculate timing of a seasoned comic, a full stretch save. All we needed to to was convert our other two pens and we would make Shooter history and be in the final. Matt and 'Packet of sweets' Brierley dispatch them safely and it's a Shooter - Taipei Dragons final. The Final There had been murmers that this could be the Shooters year amongst the press box the previous day but now it was time for the Shooters squad of 2002 to prove their mettle. We had gotten further than any other previous Shooters team before us. The whisle blows and it's the Shooters out of the block quickest. But make no mistake, this was a tough game between two heavyweights. Chance are few and far between, the most noticeable effort coming from 'Kaiser' Kilby as he charges up the field and unleahes a rocket from twenty five yards. It's flying in but a wonder save denies Kilbs a wondergoal. Langdon is called upon to make a couple of saves but the game looks increasingly like it's going to be a stalemate. No goals in normal time but a hard, hard pulsating final and it's golden goal time. Joff throws caution to the wind and plays Rose and Grant in the same line up. The game is being played out until Granty recieves the ball on the halfway line. He spins his marker and summoning up the last of his strength races down the field getting closer and closer to the goal. The keeper rushes out, narrowing the angle but the Grantonator does not miss and before anybody realises what has just happened the Shooters are charging up the field in ecstasy. Shooters 2002 had done it!!! Shooters 2002 are the Champions of the Manila tournament. Shooters 2002 are the Champions!!! Now all that remained was for the Shooters and their entourage to retire back to the hotel for a cup of cocoa and an early night. Note: Jon Grant also walked away with the Player of the Tournament award.