Feb. 26
Story by Les Tan/Red Sports. Pictures by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.
saffc vs psms medan
Chaiman Therdsak (SAFFC, #8) fires off a shot to score the first goal of the night. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Jalan Besar Stadium, February 25, 2009 - Singapore Armed Forces FC made footballing history when they qualified for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League after beating PSMS Medan 2-1 in extra-time. SAFFC are the first team from Singapore to play in the AFC league for Asian club champions.
SAFFC had beaten Provincial Electric Authority of Thailand 4-1 in a first playoff qualifier last week to earn this final playoff game against Medan and with this victory tonight, they can now take their place in the AFC Champions League proper.
SAFFC will play in Group G alongside Shanghai Shenhua (China), Kashima Antlers (Japan) and Suwon Bluewings (South Korea).
Experienced playmaker Therdsak Chaiman gave the Warriors a good start when he slotted home from long-range in the 35th minute to give SAFFC a 1-0 lead after Latiff had set him going with a pass from the wing.
However, Medan came alive in the second half. Striker and captain Elie Aiboy ran half the field unimpeded on a counter-attack as the SAFFC defence backtracked. Elie found Costas on the left at the top of the penalty box unmarked and the latter coolly sidefooted past a stranded Shahril Jantan in goal for an equaliser.
SAFFC lacked the final offensive thrust to settle the game in 90 minutes and had to play their second extra-time game in as many weeks. This coming on top of their S.League game three days ago against Balestier Khalsa on Sunday night.
This time, it was Therdsak who played provider, releasing Latiff into space down the right side of the Medan penalty box. Latiff looked like he was running out of options as he raced towards the byeline but then he shocked everyone watching, including goalkeeper Markus, when he rammed home a goal from an almost impossibly tight angle to send the Warriors into the AFC Champions League.
Medan then self-destructed with two red cards although they did come close on one occasion.
Medan coach Liestiadi Lo was understandably an unhappy man.
“I’m very disappointed with the referee for sending off two of my players,” coach Lo said at the post-game press conference. “The second red card was ok. But the first I disagree. The players put in 100% effort. Because of the artificial pitch, the players couldn’t adapt.”
The emotions in the SAFFC camp were the opposite.
“I was going for goal,” said a grinning Latiff after the game. “No point crossing!”
On the Medan equaliser, SAFFC coach Richard Bok said: “It was a quick counter down the middle. Hafizul was a bit inside, tucked in too much. This is where he needs to learn. He’s a young player. He will learn from that.
“I think we started quite well, created a few chances, but didn’t convert it. There was a period where Medan were coming at us. As a whole, I’m quite satisfied with the ways we played. Some of the experienced players had some butterflies. Our fitness carried us in the last two games.”
saffc vs psms medan
Celebration as SAFFC go one up. (Photo 2 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
Rachma Dhany (PSMS, #26) tugs at the shirt of Ahmad Latiff (SAFFC, #7) to try and stop him… (Photo 3 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
… but the latter breaks free… (Photo 4 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
… takes a shot which bounced off the hands of goalkeeper Markus… (Photo 5 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
… and finds the top corner of the goal. (Photo 6 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
Jubilation as SAFFC finally break the stalemate in extra-time. (Photo 7 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
Ahmad Latiff gets taken down by Guillen Tejera (PSMS, #5). (Photo 8 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
Fukasawa Masahiro (SAFFC, #6) intercepts a pass while Agus Supriyanto (PSMS, #22) tries to get to the ball. (Photo 9 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
Aleksandar Duric (SAFFC, #9) charges down the flank. (Photo 10 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
John Wilkinson (SAFFC, #10) fires off a shot just as he gets tackled by Reswandi Sumaji (PSMS, #7). (Photo 11© Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
Aleksandar Duric takes a shot… (Photo 12 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
… and grimaces at a wasted opportunity. (Photo 13 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
John Wilkinson (SAFFC, #10) misses a cross from the flanks which bounced right over PSMS Medan goalkeeper Markus Harison. (Photo 14 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
Ahmad Latiff gets taken down by Edi Sukamto (PSMS, #11). (Photo 15 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
Daniel Bennett (SAFFC, #16) stretches out for the ball. (Photo 16 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
Ahmad Latiff protests his innocence after taking down a Medan player. The referee gave him a yellow card. (Photo 17 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
SAFFC goalkeeper Sharil Bin Jantan grabs hold of the ball before Leonardo Martins (PSMS, #17) can get to it. (Photo 18 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
Markus Harison has the ball safely in his arms while SAFFC captain Aleksandar Duric laments the misplaced pass. (Photo 19 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
Kenji Arai (SAFFC, #3) tries to head in a corner. (Photo 20 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
Markus Harison expresses relief after his team equalised in the second half. (Photo 21 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
John Wilkinson (SAFFC, #10) gets taken down in the penalty box but referee decides it was a fair tackle and did not give a penalty. (Photo 22 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
Reswandi Sumaji tries to stop Aleksandar Duric in extra-time. (Photo 23 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
Mohamad Shaiful Esah (SAFFC, #2) gets stretchered off after a late tackle. (Photo 24 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
saffc vs psms medan
SAFFC coach Richard Bok was quite pleased about his team’s performance. (Photo 33 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
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