Esportivo stun Union

Esportivo Rio came out on top in the South American derby, stunning previous league leaders, Union Buenos Aires with a victory that was even more comfortable than the score line suggested. London City FC were the main beneficiaries, winning again to go three point clear at the top. Harbour City and Emirates United both won again to keep climbing the table, while Marina Bay Flyers pulled off the upset of the round.

ROUND 22 ROUND-UP

Rodrigo Machado struck twice in two minutes on the half hour, then completed a fine hat trick three minutes before the hour to have Rio in dreamland in a charged atmosphere at the Maracana. On a day Union failed really to fire, after their good recent run, the Brazilians took full advantage to make up ground on their visitors an, just about, stay in the title race. Sebastiao Velho was superb down the right for Rio, while Caua Guedes pulled the strings. Youngster, Elian Corral, snatched a fine late consolation goal, but Union will expect to be a lot better next time out.

Verissimo Guerra‘s early header and a neat late finish from substitute, Jeroen de Rijck, saw London City past a stubborn challenge from visiting al-Qāhirah Stars. Okafo Akuchi assisted both goals and put in another strong, man of the match, showing out wide for a City side that now proudly sits atop the standings.

Both Olympia Munchen and LA Icons stumbled away from home to sink close to the chasing pack. Oscar Alvares‘ goal just before half time for Marina Bay Flyers helped his team to a famous upset against an Olympia side that struggled all evening. It was a different story in Tokyo, with the goals flying in as Tokyo-Yokohama United got past the Icons by the odd goal in seven.

Goals from Alessandro da Siqueira, Osvaldo de Avila and Richard Casey in the first 40 minutes had United seemingly clear, but Bjorn Goudier struck just before the break to give the Icons hope. Another from de Siqueira five minutes into the second half restored the host’s margin, but Goudier’s second and a fine from strike partner, Amine Fraisse saw the visitors draw within reach with more than twenty minutes left. But United held on.

Harbour City completed the double over Eternal Roma. Geert-Jan de Walle‘s first half double was enough for City to grab three points that moved them into the top six, and only one behind LA. Tommasso Baresi rifled home with more than fifteen minutes left, but Roma didn’t have enough in them to find another.

Guilherme de Freitas‘ twelfth goal of the season, 22 minutes from time, edged Emirates United past a toothless Paris Metro, both on the day and in the standings. United are on a run of eight unbeaten at home, a run that sees them in a good space after a slow start to their campaign.

Ciudad de Madrid and Shanghai Pearl both racked up important home victories. Madrid have been exceptional at home, with eight wins and two draws from their ten matches at the Metropolitano, so a win over CF Azteca came as no surprise. It would also come as no surprise that Ranieri Lettiere did the damage, with his double, including at 86th minutes winner, proving to be the difference against rugged opponents.

Shanghai’s win over Constantinople FC came through Albert-Jan Stroek‘s double, with the goals coming six minutes apart either side of the break. The win lifted his side – just – out of the bottom two.

Hong Kong Traders traded spots with the Pearl, despite being unlucky not to beat visiting Johannesburg Rush. Baboucar Coulibaly struck late to rescue a point for the Rush and keep them two points, and seven places, ahead of the Traders.

Toronto Athletic and New York Capitals played out a barely watchable goalless draw in Toronto. Athletic sit bottom, six points behind Hong Kong, while the Capitals are now one of five teams on 22 points.

AL-QAHIRAH STARS

CF AZTECA

CIUDAD DE MADRID

CONSTANTINOPLE FC

ESPORTIVO RIO

ETERNAL ROMA

HARBOUR CITY

HONG KONG TRADERS

LA ICONS

LONDON CITY FC

MARINA BAY FLYERS

NEW YORK CAPITALS

PARIS METROPOLE

SHANGHAI PEARL

TOKYO YOKOHAMA UNITED

TORONTO ATHLETIC