Ganja FC faced Derby County in a friendly match at the London Stadium on 22 July 2023, with the visitors emerging victorious with a scoreline of 2-1. The match kicked off at 3:00pm and attracted an attendance of 3,072 fans, who witnessed a competitive encounter filled with drama and pivotal moments.
Ganja FC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for creativity in attack. Rasta Mouse took his position in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Starvin' Marvin on the right, Jacob Biddle and Bob Marley in central defence, and Connor Biggsy on the left. The midfield duo of Reggae and Levi Roots were tasked with controlling the centre of the park, while Leon Bailey and Aarav Chopra operated as right and left attacking midfielders respectively, supporting the central attacking midfielder YJ. Up front, Frank Brown led the line as the lone striker.
The substitutes for Ganja FC included Jerk Chicken, Viren Mistry, Tyrone Mings, Jehu Agyenim-Boateng, Reggae-Reggae Sauce, Kid President, Reyhan Malik, Kagoro Pasipamire, Ali G, Michail Antonio, Christopher Cousins, and Jamie Blanchard.
The match began with an early setback for Ganja FC as Derby County took the lead in the fifth minute. A well-placed header from a corner kick found the back of the net, leaving Rasta Mouse with little chance to respond. Ganja FC struggled to regain their composure after the goal, and things took a turn for the worse when Reggae received a red card in the 18th minute, reducing the home side to ten men.
Despite being a man down, Ganja FC showed resilience and continued to press forward. However, they were unable to convert their chances into goals during the first half, which ended with Derby County maintaining their 1-0 advantage.
As the second half commenced, Ganja FC made a flurry of substitutions to inject fresh energy into the team. Kid President replaced Levi Roots, while Michail Antonio came on for Frank Brown. Ali G took over from Aarav Chopra, and Reyhan Malik substituted for Leon Bailey. Additionally, YJ made way for Kagoro Pasipamire, and Connor Biggsy was replaced by Reggae-Reggae Sauce. Bob Marley also exited the pitch, with Jehu Agyenim-Boateng stepping in, and Jacob Biddle was substituted for Tyrone Mings.
The substitutions appeared to have an immediate impact, as Ganja FC found an equaliser in the 67th minute. Kagoro Pasipamire scored a fluke goal with his right foot, sending the home crowd into raptures and breathing new life into the match.
However, the joy was short-lived as Derby County struck again in the 78th minute. A stunning effort from outside the area with the left foot restored their lead, leaving Ganja FC trailing once more. The home side fought valiantly to find another equaliser, but their efforts were thwarted.
Tyrone Mings received a yellow card in the 80th minute as tensions rose, but Ganja FC could not find a way back into the match. Despite their spirited performance, they ultimately succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Derby County.
Levi Roots was recognised as the standout player for Ganja FC, showcasing his skills and determination throughout the match. The friendly encounter served as a valuable experience for Ganja FC as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
