Roma reel in Union

Eternal Roma upset the Global Premier Football League apple cart as teams eye up the first break of the season. Their victory over Union Buenos Aires wasn’t quite enough to knock the leaders off the top of the table, but it allowed the chasing pack to gain ground. After the tough post-Christmas schedule of five games in fifteen days, all teams have a two week break to rest, recover, and recharge before games resume on January 24.

ROUND 14 ROUND-UP

Roma’s victory was secured with a fine defensive display, shutting down the previously prolific Union. Davor Drazenovic, returning from an injury layoff, scored the game’s only goal on the hour mark. Gerrit Conijnenbelt was dominant in the middle of the park at the Stadio Olimpico, constantly breaking Union down before they could settle into their familiar rhythm. With a changed shape, Union looked disjointed throughout, and were unable to rely on their superstars to get them out of trouble.

London City FC, Esportivo Rio, and Olympia Munchen all won to close the gap on the leaders.

At Wembley, City cruised to a comfortable win over the struggling Hong Kong Traders, who have won only once in their last six matches. Mark Ives scored his twelfth of the campaign to be one of the players of the season so far.

Rio had their game at Toronto Athletic wrapped up by half time, scoring three times before the break. Rodrigo Machado, back in the side and looking back to his menacing best, netted the first two.

Olympia had to come from behind at home against a tougher than expected Johannesburg Rush, but they still had enough for one of the league’s strugglers. Remko Vreman slid home the winner just after the break.

LA Icons and Paris Metro both lost ground after being held on the road.

After taking an early lead, LA was pegged back by a wonder strike from Marina Bay Flyers‘ Valdomiro Sa. It was the Icons’ league-leading seventh draw in fourteen games.

Metro twice cam from behind to share the spoils at the Azteca. Antenor Nakamura had the game’s final say, for Metro, after Rafael Mayordomo‘s header looked to have won it for CF Azteca. 

Tokyo-Yokohama United moved up to eighth after a bright, open encounter with Shanghai Pearl. Richard Casey‘s double ensure the points stayed with the hosts, and saw him move to outright second in the golden boot race, although Diogo Esteves‘ second half brace threatened to spoil the party.

Ciudad de Madrid scored at each end of the game to bounce past New York Capitals, and into ninth. Ranieri Lettiere opened the scored to continue his fine run in front of goal, while young Algerian, Ibrahim Benzema, completed proceedings with his first of the campaign. 

Harbour City stayed just outside the top half with their sixth win of 2023/24. Patrik Terzic scored what would turn out to be the winner, nine minutes from time, but Constantinople FC will be ruing what might have been after hitting the woodwork twice in added time. 

Emirates United and al-Qāhirah Stars couldn’t be separated in a tight match featuring two superb strikes. Manuel Takeda put the visitors ahead with a fine solo effort, slaloming past five defenders before slotting home five minutes before half time. Not to be outdone, Patrido Lavezzi hit back two minutes after the break with a rabona strike. In the build up, United pieced together a move in which all their players touched the ball at least once. 

CURRENT STANDINGS

UPCOMING FIXTURES

GPFL STAT ATTACK

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