GROSSE POINTE WOODS, MI- Liquid Football (6-2-1) beat Thundercats SC (4-2-3) 3-2 in a critical game in the title race. This puts Liquid Football just two points behind first-place Inter Detroit in the standings.
In the first 16 minutes, they were feeling each other out, no team getting any dangerous chances until former Michigan State Spartan and MLS player Greg Janicki committed a hard foul inside the box to give Liquid Football a penalty. Waseem Muthana converted to make it 1-0 Liquid Football.
That opened the game up, and both teams began to create chances. For the most part, Liquid Football had momentum after scoring the opening goal. Ten minutes later, Liquid Football earned a corner. The cross came in and went over everybody. Beni Tanyi chased it down. He turned around and shot a curling ball into the top corner of the goal to make it 2-0 Liquid Football.
A few minutes into the second half, a Thundercats attacker stole the ball from a Liquid Football defender and was all alone. He made no mistake and beat Liquid Football keeper Esmail Haidan to pull one back for the Thundercats.
Moments later, Cyrus Saydee, who came on at halftime, played a perfect through ball to a running Bosh Tanyi. Tanyi was behind the defense and slotted it past the Thundercats' keeper to make it 3-1 Liquid Football.
20 minutes later, a Thundercats attacker was fouled as he crossed it into the box. The header was won by another Thundercats attacker and went into the back of the net. The referee blew the whistle for the original foul. After conferring with the linesman, they decided the ball had crossed the line before the center referee blew the whistle. 3-2 Liquid Football with just under 30 minutes left to play.
The last ten minutes were chaos. Every 50/50 ball was a battle. There was physical play, crunching tackles, and big defensive plays on both sides. Both teams wanted it, but after eight minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew his whistle, and Liquid Football came out on top. Liquid Football continues its five-game winning streak and keeps its title hopes alive. They have cut Inter Detroit’s lead down to just two points. If Liquid Football can win their last three games and Inter Detroit drop points in one of their final remaining games, there is a chance.
Liquid Football’s next game will be back at University Liggett School on Wednesday the 12th against Cedars. Kick-off is at 6:45. Tickets are on sale now.