By Jinseong Kim
AFC Ann Arbor men completed their Oakland County FC series in a perfect sweep. Combining Shion Soga’s brace and Jonas Bickus’ effort, AFCAA were able to bring three points back home after toppling OCFC 3-1.
The Mighty Oak had a promising start early in the first half. In the 7th minute, Yushi Nagao made a great run on the left flank and despite it not turning into a promising opportunity, it was enough to set the initial atmosphere of the game. This turned into Jonas Bickus’ clever effort in the 19th minute as he tried to flick over the goalkeeper, but it went over the bar.
The series of attacks profited in the 21st minute. Jonas Bickus provided a through to Shion Soga with backheel, beating two defenders in front of him. The Japanese then aimed for the far left corner and confidently struck it in. The duo almost found the net again in the 30th minute, but Soga’s cross targeting Bickus was slightly high to get a touch on.
The last few minutes was a stage for another Japanese, Yushi Nagao. In the last minute of the game, Nagao attempted two long range shots, one from a free kick and one in front of the box. His first went under the wall but caught by the keeper, and the second slipped past the left corner to go wide.
Chances in the early second half were created by Bickus’ classical target play. Starting off with holding possession and connecting to Daisuke Otsuka which eventually led to a shot on target in the 52nd minute, the Lithuanian himself found the net in the 55th minute. Otsuka’s cross was punted off by the goalkeeper, but it fell under Bickus’ feet who would extend the visitor’s lead.
After the second, OCFC battled for a follow-up. Their initial chances were well-defended by The Mighty Oak defense, especially a vital save from Jonathan Gomes in the 57th minute. Gomes dove to his right to prevent OCFC’s long range effort, which he saved with an outstretched right hand. The shot would slip past the post and go out for a corner that was eventually cleared.
The hosts saw their first goal in the 66th minute. A corner on the right side flew over to the back post, finding an OCFC attacker. A bit of footwork followed before a redelivery to the middle, and Marvin Gblah, who was fighting in the box, tightened the gap for OCFC.
An immediate response came in the 72nd minute from AFCAA in the most tremendous way anyone could think of. Not only because the goal completed Shion Soga’s brace and marked his final goal with an AFCAA shirt, as he sets to return to Japan, but the goal itself was outstanding. Three players - Curt Calov, Jonas Bickus, and Shion Soga - were involved, only three touches, and all touches were made in volley. The cherry on top was Soga’s right-footed, long range effort–a screamer of a strike that left the keeper frozen in the center of the goal.
A well-composed AFCAA team dealt perfectly with high-pressing Oakland in the last twenty minutes. In defense, substitute Naji Elder and returning David Garcia made crucial clearances and controlled the line effectively. In attack, Zion Beaton, another substitute, kept pressing the opponent’s final four with his fresh legs. A 3-1 final score on the board was fully deserved as a team.
It was a farewell party for the standout Shion Soga, who is set to return to Japan for the rest of the summer. Throughout the season, Soga appeared in all eight games, and logged eight goals and two assists. No other players, both men and women, scored more than him in a full league season and historically, he was named on fourth of the most-scored men’s player list. The club thanks Shion Soga for all the effort throughout the season.
About AFC Ann Arbor
Association Football Club Ann Arbor (AFC Ann Arbor) was founded in 2014 and competes in USL2 (men’s) and USLW (women’s) national amateur leagues. We are a community-based club, focused on equity, justice, and anti-racism. We consider all of our stakeholders, including supporters, players, staff, and ownership to be part of the #AFCAAFamily. Come On You Mighty Oak!