SINGAPORE BOW OUT AT GROUP STAGE

FOOTBALL

adidas +challenge Regional Final (U-16s)
Thursday, 26 July 2007, West Kowloon, Hong Kong
Story and pictures by Leslie Tan. © Red Sports

Thailand played a game of skill and speed to beat China Dalian 5-1 on a baking hot afternoon in West Kowloon, Hong Kong to earn themselves a coveted trip to Anfield, Liverpool.


Thailand (in white) beat Dalian China 5-1 to win the adidas +challenge Regional Final. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Singapore were represented by two teams who emerged first and second in the adidas +challenge held during the first week of the June holidays at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza. Team Marine Terrace and Rovers flew the flag proudly for Singapore against teams from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand.


Singapore Team B (in black) beat Hong Kong 7-4 in a group game. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

The players of Rovers come from Serangoon Secondary, the North Zone ‘B’ Division Champions and they found themselves in a group with Thailand (Team B), China (Team C) and Hong Kong (Team A). Playing their first game close to noon time, Rovers, playing as Singapore (Team B), wilted under the intense heat generated not only by the sun but also by Thailand (Team B). The Thais went 3-0 up early in the 15-minute game before Rovers composed themselves to hit back with two goals by Fadhil and Nizam. But that was all they could manage as the Thais deluged them with wave after wave of attacks to run out 10-2 winners.


Singapore (Team A) drew 3-3 with Hong Kong. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Singapore (Team B) then took on China (Team C) and managed to beat them 7-4 but that winning effort took so much out of them that when they faced their final opponent, Hong Kong (Team A), they were just too tired and lost 4-7. The Regional Final had a 1-vs-1 feature where good technical skills counted for more and a win there counted as much as a win in the team component. In this segment, Singapore (Team B) gave a good account of themselves with Nizam particularly outstanding. However, the lack of wins overall cost them points and their interest in the tournament ended at the group stage.


Khairul Nizam of Singapore Team B tries to outfox the Thai keeper. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Team Marine Terrace, as Singapore (Team A), played out a credible 3-3 draw in their first game against Hong Kong (Team C). They carried that momentum forward to their next game to win 5-3 against China (Team B). Their lack of wins in the 1-vs-1 component cost them however and they did not qualify for the semifinals as a result.

Having won all three of their group games to qualify for the semifinals, Thailand (Team B) took on Hong Kong (Team B) for the right to play in the Final. The Thais shocked their opponent when they scored within seconds of the opening whistle. The Hong Kong team recovered quickly to equalise soon after but then Thailand shrugged it off with an exquisite goal that was curled in from the left flank between two players beyond the diving Hong Kong keeper. Hong Kong came charging right back to make it 2-2 when a long-range blast was top-poked into goal. Then Hong Kong went ahead 3-2 but the Thais kept their composure after another pretty build-up play that exposed the Hong Kong defenders and left the keeper stranded for a Thai player to tap into an unguarded goal to make it 3-3. Hong Kong then rocked the crossbar with an attempt but it was Thailand all the way after that as they went on to win 5-3 with their superior skill and speed.


Singapore Team A (left to right): Mushin, Khairul Nizam, Md Hafiz Amir, Hafiz Sani, Isham, Azhar. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

In the final, Thailand played Dalian China who overcame Hong Kong (Team A) 6-5 on penalty kicks after the game had ended 5-5 in regulation time.  Dalian China were however no match for the Thais who thrashed them 5-1 to win a trip to Anfield, Liverpool. The Thais can now look forward to a week’s worth of coaching clinics, meet-the-player sessions and two Liverpool English Premiership games.


Singapore Team B (left to right): Khairul Nizam, Fadhil, Vincent, Juraimi, Safwan, Husaidi. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Two Liverpool Football Academy coaches were also on-hand to conduct a 30-minute football clinic. Adam Flynn and Magnus Alford put the boys from all the teams through a series of drills. If the players weren’t tired by then, they sure were after the rigorous drills.


Steven Gerard holding up his specially named Liverpool jersey. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

The highlight for all the players was when Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and Xabi Alonso showed up to meet the players and give away prizes to the top two teams. Looking cool in the heat, the three Liverpool players gamely posed for pictures, signed autographs and shook hands.


Singapore players posing with Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerard and Dirk Kuyt of Liverpool. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports