Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
WGS B Div Basketball Girls in North Zone Finals
Yishun Town narrowly beat Woodgrove to win B Division Girls North Zone basketball final
March 5
By Vanessa Lim/Red Sports
Jiazhen (Woodgrove, #11) jumping high to shoot. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Thursday, March 5, 2009 – Yishun Town Secondary narrowly won the B Division Girls North Zone Basketball Championship final with a hard fought 60-57 victory over Woodgrove Secondary.
Yishun Town notched up a 7-1 lead within five minutes of the first quarter. Woodgrove responded to close the point difference but still trailed 8–13 by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw Yishun Town continue to extend its lead over Woodgrove. Woodgrove were having trouble keeping possession, with Yishun Town stealing the ball many times. By the end of the second quarter, Yishun Town led by eight points at 32-24.
With three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Woodgrove trailed by just one point. The tables also seemed to have turned as Woodgrove were now forcing turnovers.
For the first time in the game, Woodgrove gained a one-point lead over Yishun Town from a free throw scored by Huimin (Woodgrove, #7). But it was only for a few moments as Lee Si Yi (Yishun Town, #12) convert two free throws to level the score at 41-41.
The match became more intense in the fourth quarter as both teams were neck and neck. The teams matched each other from 49-49 to 55-55 and on to 57-57.
However, it was Sandra Goh (Yishun Town, #10) who managed to keep her composure to score the final three points to give Yishun Town victory with a final score of 60–57.
Match Statistics by Quarter
Yishun Town - Woodgrove
Q1: 13-8
Q2: 32-24
Q3: 45-41
Q4: 60-57
Scorers
Yishun Town:
Shermaine See (#4) – 17 points
Sandra Goh (#10) – 16 points
Lee Si Yi (#12) – 13 points
Lydia Sng (#7) – 6 points
Lee Hui Min (#6) – 4 points
Pan Jia Yu (#9) – 2 points
Goh Jie Ying (#5) – 2 points
Woodgrove
Huimin (#7) – 26 points
Erra (#12) – 17 points
Jiazhen (#11) – 6 points
Huixian (#9) – 5 points
Shamirah (#15) – 3 points
Huixian (Woodgrove, #9) going past Sandra Goh (Yishun Town, #10). (Photo 2 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Shamirah (Woodgrove, #15) shoots before the defenders have the chance to block. (Photo 3 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Sandra Goh (Yishun Town, #10) tries to block Jiazhen (Woodgrove, #11) from passing. (Photo 4 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Sandra Goh (Yishun Town, #10) goes past Shamirah (Woodgrove, #15) to score. (Photo 5 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Lee Si Yi (Yishun Town, #12) gets to the ball first before Erra (Woodgrove, #12). (Photo 6 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Lydia Sng (Yishun Town, #7) reaches out and tries to intercept the ball from Huimin (Woodgrove, #7). (Photo 7 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Huixian (Woodgrove, #9) pushing past the Yishun town defenders. (Photo 8 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Shermaine See (Yishun Town, #4) passing the guards and aims for the basket. (Photo 9 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Yishun Town Supporters cheering for the team. (Photo 10 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
March 5
By Vanessa Lim/Red Sports
Jiazhen (Woodgrove, #11) jumping high to shoot. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Thursday, March 5, 2009 – Yishun Town Secondary narrowly won the B Division Girls North Zone Basketball Championship final with a hard fought 60-57 victory over Woodgrove Secondary.
Yishun Town notched up a 7-1 lead within five minutes of the first quarter. Woodgrove responded to close the point difference but still trailed 8–13 by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw Yishun Town continue to extend its lead over Woodgrove. Woodgrove were having trouble keeping possession, with Yishun Town stealing the ball many times. By the end of the second quarter, Yishun Town led by eight points at 32-24.
With three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Woodgrove trailed by just one point. The tables also seemed to have turned as Woodgrove were now forcing turnovers.
For the first time in the game, Woodgrove gained a one-point lead over Yishun Town from a free throw scored by Huimin (Woodgrove, #7). But it was only for a few moments as Lee Si Yi (Yishun Town, #12) convert two free throws to level the score at 41-41.
The match became more intense in the fourth quarter as both teams were neck and neck. The teams matched each other from 49-49 to 55-55 and on to 57-57.
However, it was Sandra Goh (Yishun Town, #10) who managed to keep her composure to score the final three points to give Yishun Town victory with a final score of 60–57.
Match Statistics by Quarter
Yishun Town - Woodgrove
Q1: 13-8
Q2: 32-24
Q3: 45-41
Q4: 60-57
Scorers
Yishun Town:
Shermaine See (#4) – 17 points
Sandra Goh (#10) – 16 points
Lee Si Yi (#12) – 13 points
Lydia Sng (#7) – 6 points
Lee Hui Min (#6) – 4 points
Pan Jia Yu (#9) – 2 points
Goh Jie Ying (#5) – 2 points
Woodgrove
Huimin (#7) – 26 points
Erra (#12) – 17 points
Jiazhen (#11) – 6 points
Huixian (#9) – 5 points
Shamirah (#15) – 3 points
Huixian (Woodgrove, #9) going past Sandra Goh (Yishun Town, #10). (Photo 2 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Shamirah (Woodgrove, #15) shoots before the defenders have the chance to block. (Photo 3 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Sandra Goh (Yishun Town, #10) tries to block Jiazhen (Woodgrove, #11) from passing. (Photo 4 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Sandra Goh (Yishun Town, #10) goes past Shamirah (Woodgrove, #15) to score. (Photo 5 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Lee Si Yi (Yishun Town, #12) gets to the ball first before Erra (Woodgrove, #12). (Photo 6 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Lydia Sng (Yishun Town, #7) reaches out and tries to intercept the ball from Huimin (Woodgrove, #7). (Photo 7 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Huixian (Woodgrove, #9) pushing past the Yishun town defenders. (Photo 8 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Shermaine See (Yishun Town, #4) passing the guards and aims for the basket. (Photo 9 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Yishun Town Supporters cheering for the team. (Photo 10 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
School National Sports on TV
Dear Woodgrovers, here is something for you to look forward to.
Starting Wednesday, 4 Mar 09, at 7.30 pm, MediaCorp Channel 5 will be airing "The School Nationals", a weekly 30-minute programme that brings you highlights from the National School Sports Championships 2009.
Aimed at showcasing the sporting talents in our schools and giving wider exposure to youth sports, the 13-episode programme will cover almost all the 26 sports contested in the three age divisions in secondary schools and junior colleges from the quarter finals onwards. The programme will also include a summary of what has gone on in the week before as well as interviews and results of the various competitions.
To find out more about the programme, click on the following link:
http://schoolnationals.mediacorptv.sg/index.htm
From MOE, Corporate Communications Division
Starting Wednesday, 4 Mar 09, at 7.30 pm, MediaCorp Channel 5 will be airing "The School Nationals", a weekly 30-minute programme that brings you highlights from the National School Sports Championships 2009.
Aimed at showcasing the sporting talents in our schools and giving wider exposure to youth sports, the 13-episode programme will cover almost all the 26 sports contested in the three age divisions in secondary schools and junior colleges from the quarter finals onwards. The programme will also include a summary of what has gone on in the week before as well as interviews and results of the various competitions.
To find out more about the programme, click on the following link:
http://schoolnationals.mediacorptv.sg/index.htm
From MOE, Corporate Communications Division
WGS B Div Basketball GIrls Are Through To The Finals
Woodgrove Secondary beat Ahmad Ibrahim in clash of titans in B Division Girls North Zone basketball semi-final
March 3
Story by REDintern Alan Chiang. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.
Woodgrove vs Ahmad Ibrahim girls’ B Division North Zone basketball semi-final
Huimin (Woodgrove, #7) heading towards the Ahmad Ibrahim defense. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Monday, March 2, 2009 – Woodgrove Secondary were brought to life after the half-time break to overcome Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary 69-50 in their girls’ B Division Basketball Championship semi-final.
The Woodgrove patience and determined play came good as Huimin (Woodgrove #7) contributed 26 points with 14 of them in the final quarter as they surged forward in the later part of the match. Three other starters got double figures as Shamirah (Woodgrove #15), Huixian (Woodgrove #9) and Erra (Woodgrove #12) added 14, 12 and 10 points respectively in the victory.
The height difference was obvious as Woodgrove centre Erra (Woodgrove #12) won the tip-off easily and began the match confidently to lead 6-2 after five minutes of play.
With 5:33 left in the first quarter, Ahmad Ibrahim coach called for a time-out to strategize his team’s formation. It had its desired effect and Ahmad Ibrahim levelled the match at 7-7. Soon after, they were leading by five points after Jing Ying (AI, #11) converted her second 3-pointer of the quarter and Anzie‘s (AI, #7) shot under the basket. Woodgrove edged ahead 14-13 at the end of the first quarter after Huixian (Woodgrove, #9) managed to make two free throws.
The second quarter witnessed both sides exchanging leads throughout. With 3:24 remaining, Huixian (Woodgrove, #9) collected her fourth foul on Anzie (AI, #7) and had to sit down for the rest of the quarter. The match was stalled for a moment after Anzie (AI, #7) appeared to twist her knee.
Chulin (AI, #9) then drained an impossible basket with the shot clock ticking away and both sides went into the break level at 25-25.
Ahmad Ibrahim started the third quarter with a burst of fire as they went on an 8-0 run with Anzie (AI, #7) leading the charge. But Huimin (Woodgrove, #7) and Shamirah (Woodgrove, #15) replied with points in the paint and cut the Ahmad Ibrahim’s lead to four points at 33-29.
With 4:31 remaining, Vanessa (AI, #10) picked up her fourth foul after committing an offence on Huimin (Woodgrove #7). Huimin (Woodgrove, #7) then continued her scoring streak as she reduced the deficit to two points.
Woodgrove managed to grab the lead as Erra (Woodgrove, #12) dominated the offensive board and got second chance points with ease. Their sheer willpower allowed them to extend the lead to four points by the end of the third quarter, 41-37.
Woodgrove did not look back as they began the final quarter strongly. The Woodgrove twin towers of Erra (Woodgrove, #12) and Shamirah (Woodgrove, #15) were influential as they dominated the board and the paint.
The match was over after Woodgrove stretched their lead to 16 points at 65-49. Huimin‘s (Woodgrove, #7) massive points haul in the final quarter finished any chance of a revival from Ahmad Ibrahim.
“It was a hard fight. It was the fighting spirit in the last quarter that allowed us to win the match,” said Woodgrove’s teacher-in-charge, who was happy with the victory. “I think this is the kind of fighting spirit we should instill in every student these days.”
After the match, top scorer Huimin (Woodgrove #7) said, “I want to win. I hope we can be the champion.”
With the victory, they advance to the final where they will square off with Yishun Town Secondary for the B Division Girls North Zone basketball crown.
Match Statistics:
Scores by quarter:
Ahmad Ibrahim - Woodgrove
1st Q: 14 – 13
2nd Q: 25 – 25
3rd Q: 37 – 41
4th Q: 50 – 69
Top scorers
Ahmad Ibrahim:
Anzie (#7) – 17 points
Jing Ying (#11) – 16 points
Woodgrove:
#7 – 26 points
#15 – 14 points
Woodgrove vs Ahmad Ibrahim girls’ B Division North Zone basketball semi-final
Jiazhen (Woodgrove, #11) jumping to put a one into the basket.(Photo 2 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Woodgrove vs Ahmad Ibrahim girls’ B Division North Zone basketball semi-final
Jing Ying (Ahmad Ibrahim, #11) jumping to try and intercept the ball from Huixian (Woodgrove, #9).(Photo 3 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Woodgrove vs Ahmad Ibrahim girls’ B Division North Zone basketball semi-final
Anzie (Ahmad Ibrahim, #7) runs straight into the arms of the defense.(Photo 4 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Woodgrove vs Ahmad Ibrahim girls’ B Division North Zone basketball semi-final
Woodgrove supporters cheering as the team scores more points to lead Ahmad Ibrahim.(Photo 5 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Woodgrove vs Ahmad Ibrahim girls’ B Division North Zone basketball semi-final
Ahmad Ibrahim players cheering each time one of their own scores.(Photo 6 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
March 3
Story by REDintern Alan Chiang. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.
Woodgrove vs Ahmad Ibrahim girls’ B Division North Zone basketball semi-final
Huimin (Woodgrove, #7) heading towards the Ahmad Ibrahim defense. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Monday, March 2, 2009 – Woodgrove Secondary were brought to life after the half-time break to overcome Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary 69-50 in their girls’ B Division Basketball Championship semi-final.
The Woodgrove patience and determined play came good as Huimin (Woodgrove #7) contributed 26 points with 14 of them in the final quarter as they surged forward in the later part of the match. Three other starters got double figures as Shamirah (Woodgrove #15), Huixian (Woodgrove #9) and Erra (Woodgrove #12) added 14, 12 and 10 points respectively in the victory.
The height difference was obvious as Woodgrove centre Erra (Woodgrove #12) won the tip-off easily and began the match confidently to lead 6-2 after five minutes of play.
With 5:33 left in the first quarter, Ahmad Ibrahim coach called for a time-out to strategize his team’s formation. It had its desired effect and Ahmad Ibrahim levelled the match at 7-7. Soon after, they were leading by five points after Jing Ying (AI, #11) converted her second 3-pointer of the quarter and Anzie‘s (AI, #7) shot under the basket. Woodgrove edged ahead 14-13 at the end of the first quarter after Huixian (Woodgrove, #9) managed to make two free throws.
The second quarter witnessed both sides exchanging leads throughout. With 3:24 remaining, Huixian (Woodgrove, #9) collected her fourth foul on Anzie (AI, #7) and had to sit down for the rest of the quarter. The match was stalled for a moment after Anzie (AI, #7) appeared to twist her knee.
Chulin (AI, #9) then drained an impossible basket with the shot clock ticking away and both sides went into the break level at 25-25.
Ahmad Ibrahim started the third quarter with a burst of fire as they went on an 8-0 run with Anzie (AI, #7) leading the charge. But Huimin (Woodgrove, #7) and Shamirah (Woodgrove, #15) replied with points in the paint and cut the Ahmad Ibrahim’s lead to four points at 33-29.
With 4:31 remaining, Vanessa (AI, #10) picked up her fourth foul after committing an offence on Huimin (Woodgrove #7). Huimin (Woodgrove, #7) then continued her scoring streak as she reduced the deficit to two points.
Woodgrove managed to grab the lead as Erra (Woodgrove, #12) dominated the offensive board and got second chance points with ease. Their sheer willpower allowed them to extend the lead to four points by the end of the third quarter, 41-37.
Woodgrove did not look back as they began the final quarter strongly. The Woodgrove twin towers of Erra (Woodgrove, #12) and Shamirah (Woodgrove, #15) were influential as they dominated the board and the paint.
The match was over after Woodgrove stretched their lead to 16 points at 65-49. Huimin‘s (Woodgrove, #7) massive points haul in the final quarter finished any chance of a revival from Ahmad Ibrahim.
“It was a hard fight. It was the fighting spirit in the last quarter that allowed us to win the match,” said Woodgrove’s teacher-in-charge, who was happy with the victory. “I think this is the kind of fighting spirit we should instill in every student these days.”
After the match, top scorer Huimin (Woodgrove #7) said, “I want to win. I hope we can be the champion.”
With the victory, they advance to the final where they will square off with Yishun Town Secondary for the B Division Girls North Zone basketball crown.
Match Statistics:
Scores by quarter:
Ahmad Ibrahim - Woodgrove
1st Q: 14 – 13
2nd Q: 25 – 25
3rd Q: 37 – 41
4th Q: 50 – 69
Top scorers
Ahmad Ibrahim:
Anzie (#7) – 17 points
Jing Ying (#11) – 16 points
Woodgrove:
#7 – 26 points
#15 – 14 points
Woodgrove vs Ahmad Ibrahim girls’ B Division North Zone basketball semi-final
Jiazhen (Woodgrove, #11) jumping to put a one into the basket.(Photo 2 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Woodgrove vs Ahmad Ibrahim girls’ B Division North Zone basketball semi-final
Jing Ying (Ahmad Ibrahim, #11) jumping to try and intercept the ball from Huixian (Woodgrove, #9).(Photo 3 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Woodgrove vs Ahmad Ibrahim girls’ B Division North Zone basketball semi-final
Anzie (Ahmad Ibrahim, #7) runs straight into the arms of the defense.(Photo 4 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Woodgrove vs Ahmad Ibrahim girls’ B Division North Zone basketball semi-final
Woodgrove supporters cheering as the team scores more points to lead Ahmad Ibrahim.(Photo 5 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Woodgrove vs Ahmad Ibrahim girls’ B Division North Zone basketball semi-final
Ahmad Ibrahim players cheering each time one of their own scores.(Photo 6 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Saturday, 28 February 2009
SAFFC becomes first S- League to qualify for AFC Champions League
Singapore Armed Forces FC make history by qualifying for AFC Champions League
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)
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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