Southie FC takes on the Irish 'challenge'

                                                           

             VS

LANSDOWNE BHOYS                                                                       SOUTHIE FC

                                                

                               USASA NATIONAL AMATEUR CUP SEMIFINAL

                             April 30, 2016 -- 7:00 PM -- Tibbet Brook Park, New York

Roy Sandeman acknowledges that Southie FC need to bring their A game in order to defeat an 'experienced and organized' Lansdowne team, who are in the midst of an undefeated season. 

Young amateur club Southie FC is set to take on their biggest challenge yet, a USASA National Amateur Cup semifinal against Cosmopolitan champions Lansdowne Bhoys Saturday night at Tibbet Brook Park.

Southie FC play in the Massachusetts State Soccer League and in the Bay State Soccer League second division. The club is one of the youngest amateur team in Massachusetts, founded in 2012 by current player-coach Sean Bakhtiari.  

The Boston club is only four years in the running, although they can brag about beating some of the best team in the state such as GPS Omens and Boston Olympiakos, reaching the semifinal of the National Amateur Cup and qualifying for the U.S. Lamar Hunt Open Cup.  

One of the club's latest wonder is a thrilling 6-5 penalty kicks winner over Trenton Rebels in the quarterfinals on April 17. The Southies had to come back from two goals down twice, including a late equalizer.

"The game against Trenton in the last round was tough," Roy Sandeman told a Read The Game reporter. "We were obviously a touch fortunate grabbing a last minute equalizer, but it's a statement to our never say die attitude that we advanced, which was the ultimate goal." 

Sandeman approves that the road ahead of this famous victory will require much more tenacity. 

"We don't know too much about Landsdowne, apart from that they will be experienced, organized and with players that can hurt you," the center midfielder said.  "We are focused on our own game, however, and know that we will need to be on our A-game from start to finish in order to win out."

To add to the Southies' load, the game will take place on Lansdowne's turf. The Irish team haven't conceded more than a goal at home in the league and in the National Amateur Cup. 

Bakhtiari looks at the location of the game as a contest rather than a stumbling block.

"Away games are a major disadvantage, especially in amateur soccer, but we look at it more as a challenge" the 28 year-old said. He later added: "We like challenges, our team is deep and we are excited about our trip to Yonkers."

Photo Credit: Southie F.C.

Meanwhile, Lansdowne play in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League first division in New York. The Irish based club reached the semi after Manzonilla forfeited the quarterfinal and beating Newtown Pride 3-0 in the first round prior that. 

Lansdowne Bhoys huddle up before a game. First Touch Online Images

The furthest the club ever reached in the National Amateur Cup is the regional semifinal in 2013-14.




Key Read The Game stats:


-Southie FC was founded 15 years after Lansdowne.
-Both sides are undefeated in their leagues, Lansdowne (12 games), Southie (five games).
-Southie FC haven't conceded a goal yet in the BSSL.
-The Bhoys haven't conceded a goal yet in the Regional USASA National Amateur Cup.
-Lansdowne never conceded more than a goal at home this season.
-Southie played 330 minutes of football in the past two weeks.
-Southie FC has played in four extra time games since November 8, 2015.

LAST FIVE MATCHES

Lansdowne Bhoys(W,W,--,W,W):
4/23/16 Lansdowne Bhoys 2-1 Shamrock SC
4/16/16 Lansdowne Bhoys 4-1 United FC
4/10/16 NY Pancyprian Freedoms vs Lansdowne Bhoys
3/20/16 United FC 1-4 Lansdowne Bhoys
12/17/16 NY Pancyprian Freedoms 1-2 Lansdowne Bhoys

Southie FC(W,W,W,W,W):
4/24/16 Lowell United 1-9 SFC
4/23/16 SFC 1-1 (4-2 PKs) La Garra
4/17/16 Trenton Rebels 4-4 (5-6 PKs) SFC 
4/16/16 Kendall Wanderers B 0-6 Southie SFC
4/10/16 SFC 6-0 Mill City