Sealand shock Chagos Islands with record win

Sealand produced a fine first half performance yesterday as they ran out 4-2 winners against the Chagos Islands in a friendly.

Jackson and Bertrand contest a high ball

The 2 goal margin meant it was the N.F.-Board members largest victory at international level whereas defeat for the Chagossians was their first at non-FIFA level.

The Sealanders got off to a perfect start when former Aldershot Town player Dan Smith chested the ball down and volleyed in a fine opener after 5 minutes. 

The early part of the game was end to end and on 20 minutes midfielder Deveeyen Soopramayen got the vocal Chagossian support on their feet as he was first to react after Miguel Mandarin's shot came back off the post.

However Sealand began to dominate what was a physical game and just after the half hour mark a fine cross from the right by Sam Churchman was nodded home by defender Jack Field. 

6 minutes later and it was 3 as Smith bettered his first goal with a sensational curling shot which left Mike Sakir in the Chagos goal with no chance - a strike that saw Smith become joint top scorer for Sealand.

The Sealanders were dominating and the tricky Smith was upended in the box in the 42nd minute but he blew his chance of a hat-trick when his penalty crashed back off the bar. 

The Chagossians started to get back into the game in the second period with Mandarin going close before Gael Ono was denied by Will Dukes from close range. 

Smith curls in his second goal

Sealand would extend their lead in the 60th minute when Josh Killen's cross inadvertandly curled into the top corner of Sakir's net.

The Chagos Islands rallied and almost responded immediately when Lorenzo Isau let fly from distance only for Dukes to produce a marvellous save. 

They eventually pulled a goal back when Soopramayen slotted home after being put through but despite some late pressure the score stayed the same.

The Chagossians have proposed a return game in April which Sealand have initially agreed too. A photo gallery from the game can be accessed via the Sealand National Football Association here.

Match information -

Score: Sealand 4-2 Chagos Islands

Goals: Sealand - Dan Smith 5’, 37’ Jack Field 31’ Josh Killen 60’. Chagos Islands - Deveeyen Soopramayen 20’ 78’

Sealand XI: Dukes; Gunn [Beiboer 53'], Field, Wilson [Addington 46'], Loveland; Squires [Mulvany 66], Press, Smith; Churchman [Sharp 63'], Killen [Wilkie 86']; Jackson [Hughes 46' [[Simpson 76']].

Chagos Islands XI: Sakir; Uranie, Augustin, Isau, Bertrand; Soopramayen, Mandarin, Narainen, Alexis; Ono, Lindor.