Lisbon Casuals Men’s team played the first league match of their new season against Viso today. In persistent rain at the Estádio Nacional, they opened the scoring when a finely judged diagonal ball to the far post was converted with a spectacular diving tip-in in the 8^th minute. The same player was on hand to make it 2-0 when the keeper’s save allowed a close range shot from the rebound, but shortly before half time the visitors pulled a goal back from a loose ball in the circle.

It was 15 minutes into the second half before a fierce Casuals cross into the circle found a defender’s stick for an own goal to extend the lead to 3-1. An excellent free hit from just outside the Viso 25 found an attacker at the post for a cool tip-in and, despite several chances going begging, the final score remained 4-1 to the Casuals.

The Casuals’ end of season festivities got under way with a Tournament for the U12s and U14s. This was followed by the annual prize-giving: awards went to Mariana Torres – ‘Best Beginner’,

Vicente Mourão – ‘U14 Top Scorer’

Louise Pringsheim – ‘Most Improved Ladies Player’,

Frederico Santos – ‘U18 Top Scorer’

Miguel Ralha – ‘Most Improved U18 Player’

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The highlight of the afternoon was the inaugural match for the new Pringsheim Cup, contested by the Dutch (winners of the Kuiper Cup) and the Portuguese (winners of the Camões match). The Dutch got off to a great start with an early goal and soon doubled their advantage, but the Portuguese pulled one back from a penalty corner strike into the roof of the net.

They came out after the interval in a determined mood and not only drew level, but went into a 3-2 lead, with both goals coming from counter attacks. The pace and competitive spirit of the game remained high, despite the stifling heat. But it was the Dutch who took control of the game: a well-worked tip in and a penalty corner driven in off the inside of the post gave them the lead. Although Portugal levelled the scores again, they had no answer when the Dutch stole the ball on the edge of the circle and rifled in a high shot under the bar for a 5-4 win and their name on the Cup.

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In the Kuiper Cup the Dutch took a first half lead from a penalty corner. But it wasn’t until deep into the second half that they scored again from a great reverse stick shot. The Brits pulled one back from a penalty corner and seemed to be coping with successive orange attacks, but the Dutch scored twice in the last 5 minutes for a 4-1 win.

In tonight’s evening fixture, the Men‘s team played Aberdeen University in a fast-paced game. After chances for both sides, Casuals opened the scoring from a tightly angled shot after a well worked move down the left bye-line. After an amazing goal-line save by an Aberdeen defender, Casuals ended the half with a 2-0 advantage after forcing the ball home from a rebound.

Although the home team added a 3rd from a high flick, Aberdeen came back strongly and scored from a pacy counter attack. After the Casuals stretched their lead to 4-1 with a battling solo run and lob, Aberdeen again reduced from a break away; but Casuals held their ground for a 4-2 win.

The U16 Mixed team struggled in their semi-final against a strong (and all-male) Lousada team. Despite battling valiantly, they were 0-5 down at half time, and Lousada doubled their goal tally in the second half.

A mere one hour later, they took on ESLFB in the match for 3^rd place. Despite several chances going begging at both ends, it wasn’t until the 52^nd minute that Casuals finally scored after the ball rebounded to the edge of the circle from a good save by the keeper. But just two minutes later, ESLFB found an equaliser with a looping shot and, with no further score, this took the game into ‘Golden goal’ extra time.

The first period produced several close misses, but no goals. But with 7 minutes left on the clock, a long ball out of defence found the centre forward on the edge of the circle, and he calmly slipped the ball under the advancing keeper for a 2-1 win and an honourable 3^rd place.