Mighty Shane have been crowned 2024 Taiwan International Football League Champions, winning the league for the second time in the club's long and storied history.
It was a historic day for the club, as we beat Daan FC 3-1 to clinch our second ever league title on the last game day of the season.
Despite the heavy, monsoon rain, both teams agreed to go ahead with the match.
Shane went into the game needing only a draw to secure the title, but the inclement weather added another variable to an already tricky tie against a shrewd Daan side.
And the weather went on to play a major role in the first half.
We struggled to connect passes or create much on the rain-soaked pitch. And before long, it was Daan that forced veteran goalkeeper Adam Łupiński into an early save.
But the Mighty Shane boys pushed forward, and midway through the first half, club captain, Jamie Smith, was fouled in the opposition's box after a tidy team move.
Player of the season candidate, Jayke Langley, stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but as if to add to the drama of the day, put his shot just over the bar.
A hotly contested first half came to a close as the rain continued to fall.
At half time, the message from the gaffer, Danny Miller, was clear: get the ball down and play our usual game.
This directive almost paid off early in the second half, as Daan goalkeeper, Steven Kane, produced a string of top saves to keep us out following excellent build up play.
Those in attendance could feel a Shane goal coming. It was inevitable.
But the unthinkable happened midway through the second half when a rare Daan counter attack resulted in the Mighty Shane going down 1-0.
Everything was going wrong.
A missed penalty. Yellow cards flying. Team pipsqueak, Dan Swift, was seen pulling out of challenges and ducking out of headers.
And now we were down 1-0 with less than a half to play.
But our heads never dropped.
Buoyed by the presence of Shane legends of yore, Brian McGuinness, Steve Duell, and "Mad Dog" Chris Pohlman, the team surged forward in search of an equalizer.
And our persistence paid off on 70 minutes.
Literal machine Oscar Aïbos saw an opening and played an incisive ball through to Kiwi, Mitch Louis, who laid it off to our Brazilian wonder, Igor. Igor easily beat his man and cooly squeezed his shot into the far corner.
Cautious celebrations ensued, as the goal put us back into title contention, but the game was still on a razor's edge.
But the Mighty Shane weren't content with the draw, and kept pushing forward in search of a second goal.
And it was not long before new signing, Miguel Iturri, determined to forge his name into Shane's storied history, picked up the ball on the right wing, skinned his man, and squared it to Igor.
The brilliant Brazilian all in one move collected the ball, turned, and lashed the ball into the far corner.
The pivotal goal sparked wild celebrations. The Shane bench rushed the field. Dan Swift wept. The rain kept pouring and no one even noticed. Scenes.
Now playing with a confidence that has befitted us all season, the rest of the game was all Shane. And the win, and in turn the title, was put beyond any doubt with only minutes left on the clock.
Finding space on the left, team hunk, Blake Pattenden, sped down the wing and crossed it low for Mitch to finish with a composed, first-time effort.
The final whistle blew, and this historic Shane side erupted into raucous celebrations.
12 years on from the club's first and only other league title, the Mighty Shane were league champions.
We finish the league season on a club record 28 points, with a record of 9 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses.
Man of the match: With the match winning goals, Igor put in yet another top performance as he kept making the runs, finding space, and showed nerves of steel in front of goal.
Special mentions: Mitch: Was fantastic both in midfield and attack as he linked the play. He showed class and poise with both his assist and goal.
Miguel: A huge second half impact from our new signing as he constantly beat the full back and drove at their defense, showing great end product with his assist.
Oscar: Another game in which he ran himself into the ground getting up and down the line, and winning tackles and headers throughout.
Jack Snart: As usual an absolute wall at the back. His pace allowed him to sweep up dangerous situations and pass out well from defence.
Jamie: Our captain led by example as he kept the lads going on the pitch, didn’t lose an aerial duel, and help to consistently push us forward with his passing late in the game.
Dan Engel and Ali Mac: Both came on in the second half and really impressed as they got stuck in and showed composure on the ball.
But everyone involved in the side this season can consider themselves as having been immortalized as Shane legends.
And while the league is done and dusted, there's still the TIFL Cup to play for.
But we want to enjoy this moment a little bit longer...
Up the fucking Shane!!
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