The last time Lions met Dutch FC was at the beginning of the season when they were fresh and new to the TML. It was a tough match as Lions found themselves on the end of a 1 - 6 battering albeit from a very good side. Dutch for a long time were a good division 2 side who only found their way into division 3 due to off-pitch misfortune, so this match was always going to be a strong test for Lions and a marker to show how far the team had come.

Lions started well in another new formation, struggling a little to find the angles to move the ball forward effectively but holding down Dutch who mostly set up to counter attack through their pacey division 1 playing Kanto Celts striker. And it was he who opened the scoring from dropping into the half space in front of the backline, turning and being given just enough space to launch a rocket of shot from about 25 yards that beat goalkeeper Sasada. It was disappointing being that so far the game was not uneven at all, it was a very good shot from a very good player.
Lions started to work out each other out better on the field, slowly stringing together better attacking moves and went close when Palmer switched play to Oshima who brought the ball back down and played inside for it to be lofted through to a deep run from Oomori whose chip over the on rushing Dutch keeper was dropped wide of the post. Things were looking on the up for Lions until just before half time when they suffered from this season's achilles heel --- the corner kick! A ball swung in towards the back post seemed to have some confusion as Sasada made a call, players were caught watching the ball loop as a late runner swooped in behind a planted in a low header from inside the 6 yard box. It was a shame, but also something Lions know they have to improve, and thankfully fixing defending corners is much easier than many more complex problems a team has to worry about.

The second half started with Lions probably displaying some of the best football they've played this season, especially considering the quality of the opposition. With Oshima now playing along Quinn as midfield, their positioning and movement allowed full backs Palmer and Farrugia to push up and threaten the Dutch back three, effectively pinning Dutch in their own half. For periods of long pressure Lions had trapped Dutch, who now became unsettled. Where confident before Dutch started making mistakes and the Lions defence managed well the punted clearances recycling them back into attacks.

However with some more changes Dutch eventually figured out how to escape the press finding space to threaten with their wingers and preventing Lions being able to pin them in ending in a more balance match although more to do with Lions losing the fine positioning they had at the start of the second half.

While the result wasn't great, in context it was a huge difference to the 6 - 1 drubbing Lions took at the start of the season. With both Dutch goals not standard, one special long shot and the achilles on corners it felt like strong progress, especially the first 20 minutes of the second half. If Lions can remember how they played then and of course fix the issue with corners then we definitely will see a move up to the next level of play.

When it came to nominations for the Adecco BEFC Most Valuable Player it came down to an overall good performance but an outstanding impact in the 20 minutes Lions dominated. Ririo Oshima's move into a deep lying midfielder changed the pattern of the second half. His movement, positioning and orchestrating of the build up play pressured Dutch in, choked their outlet to their winger and provided an immediate threat when Lions recycled the ball on recovery. His play multiplied the performance of the players around him, providing Sakk with more opportunities for link up play and movement and Palmer to push up onto the Dutch full back as well as threaten their back-line. The formation Lions chose to play uses the full backs to overload a defence and it was the placement of Oshima into the midfield that made everything started working across the field.
For bringing to life this inspiring 20 minutes of total Lions dominance against a very much Division 2 class side the Adecco BEFC Most Valuable Player versus Dutch FC is Ririo Oshima.