Suwon Bluewings overpower SAFFC 2-0 in AFC Champions League football
March 12, 2010
Story by REDintern Noor Farhan. Pictures by REDintern Tan Jon Han

Federico Martinez (SAFFC #13, blue) exhales in despair about another wasted opportunity. The Warriors, playing with 10 men for most of the second half, failed to find an answer to the might and quality displayed by the Suwon Bluewings. (Photo 1 © Tan Jon Han/Red Sports)
Jalan Besar Stadium, Wednesday, 10 March 2010 – Singapore Armed Forces Football Club (SAFFC) succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at home at the hands of K-League giants Suwon Samsung Bluewings Football Club in a game that featured South Korean internationals Lee Woon Jae and Song Chong Gug as well as ex-Everton player Li Weifeng. The scoreline represented a repeat of their previous encounter, in which SAFFC also lost 2-0 to Suwon Bluewings then.
SAFFC did well to repel the Suwon attacks in the first half as they got pinned back in their own area from as early at the 15th minute. Singapore international Daniel Bennett stood out in the first half as he managed to neuter most of Suwon’s attacking impetus, with timely interceptions and no-nonsense defending at the heart of defence.
However, Suwon Bluewings’ excellent approach play was rewarded when midfielder Lee Gil Hoon managed to ping in a shot from the right side of the penalty box. That brought the best out of SAFFC goalkeeper Shahril Jantan who managed a lightning parry to the left at waist level to deny the opposition.
The Warriors also had ideas of their own as forward Indra Sahdan pounced on a through pass by his midfield at in the 20th minute. Indra’s effort was however all too comfortable for the highly experienced Suwon custodian Lee Woon Jae, who had a relatively easy game, as he calmly collected the shot.
Suwon’s Brazillian striker Jose Mota was a constant thorn to the SAFFC defence as his intelligent off-the-ball running found him space to shoot from the centre of the penalty box in the 23rd minute, but it was turned away by the alert Shahril Jantan.
Jose Mota again found space to shoot in the 34th minute after finding himself free on the left side, but could not bury his shot after being closed down by the SAFFC defence.
By this point, the home side’s defensive tactics seemed to work as the visitors were quickly closed down before they could make any telling passes. Wingers Ahmad Latiff and Akiyoshi Taisuke were seen helping out their full-backs to defend from the sides. As a results, there were hardly any attacking runs down the flanks by the pair for most of the first half.
SAFFC’s best chance of the period fell to Indra Sahdan in the 44th minute. Akiyoshi Taisuke began the attacking move, managing to beat the offside trap from the left flank and embarking on a lung-bursting run into the penalty box. His cross found Ahmad Latiff on the right, whose accurate cut back to Indra saw the latter hammering his effort over the bar, much to the chagrin of the local fans in attendance.
However all their good work was undone with one minute to go in the first half when SAFFC conceded a free-kick at the right edge of their own penalty area. Suwon’s Brazillian defender Juninho Vendrechovski managed a magnificent free-kick that thundered past the SAFFC wall into the top right corner of the net, despite Shahril Jantan’s despairing dive to give Suwon a 1-0 lead against the Warriors.
The second half saw SAFFC going for the jugular as they attempted an offensive in an attempt to level the score line.
In the 51st minute, SAFFC left back Razaleigh Khalik managed to charge down the left as he received an accurate long diagonal ball from central midfield and went past a Suwon defender. Their keeper Lee Woon Jae could only watch as Razaleigh’s low cross trickled across the face of goal, but fortunately for him it was a bridge too far for SAFFC forward Federico Martinez ,who had a match to forget that day.
Ivan Lovric was given his marching orders a few minutes later after receiving his second yellow card of the night and SAFFC were reduced to 10 men with 34 minutes to go.
The Warriors never managed to recover after that as they struggled to find a way past the Suwon rearguard even as Indra Sahdan made way for midfielder Mustaqim Manzur. Instead, the Bluewings managed to score again through their livewire forward Jose Mota, as he ended a brilliant passing movement with a venomous shot from the centre that rippled the back of the net to make it 2-0 in the 72nd minute.
In the 82nd minute, substitute Mustaqim Manzur’s good work down the right found him space to send in a cross but again, Federico Martinez could only stand and watch as he failed to connect with the pass.
The game ended at a pedestrian pace as Suwon Bluewings edged past their opponents 2-0, with the Warriors clearly stretched playing with 10 men against their illustrious opponents.
“We recognized that SAFFC had a good defence and were speedy on the counter, so we decided to cut off the ball to their sides,” commented Suwon coach Cha Bum Kun in the post match press conference, on their original plan to neutralise the Warriors.
“Playing with 10 men (against Suwon Bluewings) stretched us a lot. Perhaps we could have coped in the S-League, but at this level it’s very hard,” said Richard Bok, SAFFC coach.
SAFFC Lineup
Shahril Jantan (captain), Razaleigh Khalik, Hafiz O, Niklas Sandberg, Ivan Lovric, Ahmad Latiff Kamarudin, Daniel Bennett, Rai Roshan, Federico Martinez, Indra Sahdan Daud, Akiyoshi Taisuke
Substitutes:
Hyrulnizam Juma’at, Erwan Gunawan, Syaiful Iskandar, Mustaqim Manzur, Azfar Bin Zainal Abidin, Dharham, Hanafi
Team Manager:
Kok Wai Leong
Team Coach:
Richard Bok
Suwon Samsung Bluewings Lineup
Lee Woon Jae, Junior Anselmo Vendrechovski (Juninho), Li Weifeng, Cho Won Hee (captain), Jose Roberto Rodrigues Mota Junior (Jose Mota), Oh Jae Suk, Lee Gil Hoon, Yang Juna, Seo Dong Hyun, Yang Sang Min, Kwak Hee Ju
Substitutes:
Song Chong Gug, Lee Hyun Jun, Lee Dong Sik, Kim Dae Eui, Baek Ji Hoon, Kim Dae Hwan, Choi Sung Hwan
Team Manager:
Kim Jin Hoon
Team Coach:
Cha Bum Kun
Referee:
Mohamed Abdelkarim Mohamed Ismail Alzarouni ( United Arab Emirates)
Attendance:
2,674

Shahril Jantan (SAFFC, GK, C, #14) looks on as Suwon mount another attack. (Photo 2 © Tan Jon Han/Red Sports)

Aselmo Vendrechovski Jr (Suwon #13) watches as his free kick is sent straight into the Warrior’s wall. (Photo 3 © Tan Jon Han/Red Sports)

Ahmad Latiff (SAFFC #7) going in for the ball as Suwon’s #28 crosses one in. (Photo 4 © Tan Jon Han/Red Sports)

Despite conceding a goal just before half time, the Warriors’ supporters continued with their cheers and support for their team. (Photo 5 © Tan Jon Han/Red Sports)

Ivan Lovric (SAFFC #6) has a word with the referee after being shown a second yellow for a soft challenge. (Photo 6 © Tan Jon Han/Red Sports)

Niklas Sandnerg (SAFFC #5) in an aerial duel with the Suwon #20. (Photo 7 © Tan Jon Han/Red Sports)

Indra Sahdan (SAFFC #17) under the close watch of a Suwon defender as he brings the ball into the penalty area. (Photo 8 © Tan Jon Han/Red Sports)

Ahmad Latiff (SAFFC #7) appears to have been fouled in the penalty box during one of the rare scoring opportunities for the Warriors in the second half. (Photo 9 © Tan Jon Han/Red Sports)

Lee Woon Jae (Suwon, GK #1) watches as the ball, having failed to connect with Federico Martinez (SAFFC #13), floats across his goalmouth. (Photo 10 © Tan Jon Han/Red Sports)
RGS defeat CHIJ(TP) 24-21 to retain C Div South Zone netball title
March 10, 2010
Story by REDintern Delle Chan. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

CHIJ WD passing as Raffles player jumps to block. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Yishun Sports Hall, Tuesday, March 9, 2010 – The C Division South Zone Netball Championship final proved to be a thrilling showdown between arguably the two finest netball school teams in Singapore, CHIJ Secondary Toa Payoh (CHIJ) and Raffles Girls’ School (RGS). However, RGS eventually pipped CHIJ to the title after posting a narrow victory of 24-21.
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Jurong edge Hwa Chong in West Zone B Division Basketball Championship semi-final thriller
March 5, 2010
By Koh Yizhe/Red Sports

Jurong’s captain Danish Han was outstanding throughout the match and he led his side to the final with a game-high 26 points. (Photo 1 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Clementi Sports Hall, Thursday, March 4, 2010 – With 2.1 seconds on the clock and with the crowd on its feet, Lucas Lim (Jurong #10) showed nerves of steel to sink one of two free throws to seal a 69-68 win for Jurong Secondary against Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) in the semi-final of the West Zone B Division boys’ Basketball Championship.
Earlier, HCI missed three straight free throws with the scores tied 68-68. Raymond Loo (HCI #10), who scored seven of his nine points from the charity stripe, did well to get the hoop to level the scores at 68-68 with nine seconds remaining, but he missed the free throw.
Although a Jurong player got the rebound, Guo Leibing (HCI #4) stripped him of the ball and was quickly fouled, but nerves got the better of him as he missed both free throws to open the door for Lucas’ heroics.
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Yishun see off Presbyterian High in North Zone B Division basketball semi-final
March 1, 2010
By Les Tan/Red Sports

Zhou Zhen Qiang (Yishun #13, white) scored a game-high 21 points, including two 3-pointers. The Yishun attack was centred around him. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Singapore Basketball Centre, Monday, March 1, 2010 – Yishun Secondary beat defending national champions Presbyterian High 74-58 to win a place in the final of the North Zone B Division Basketball Championship.
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Jurong hold off Nanyang Girls’ High to emerge champions in West Zone B Division volleyball
February 20, 2010
By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Eleanor (Nanyang #1) tries to block a spike from Zi Qing (Jurong #8). (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall, Friday, February 19, 2010 – Jurong Secondary held off a persistent Nanyang Girls’ High to emerge champions in the West Zone B Division Girls Volleyball Championship final.
The game went to an exciting rubber set, which saw Nanyang fight back and almost cause an upset. Jurong eventually prevailed to win 2-1 (25-21, 18-25, 25-23). It was indeed sweet revenge for Jurong as they had narrowly lost to Nanyang in their earlier encounter at the group stage.
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Nanyang Girls’ High beat Hua Yi Sec to emerge champions in West Zone C Division Volleyball
February 18, 2010
By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Jiamin (Nanyang #1) spikes into the hands of Ruijia (Hua Yi #8). (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Hua Yi Secondary, Thursday, February 18, 2010 – Nanyang Girls’ High held off a second set comeback from Hua Yi to emerge champions in the West Zone C Division Girls Volleyball Championship final. They beat Hua Yi 2-0 (25-12, 25-22).
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Bukit Panjang Govt High overcome Jurong Sec to take third place in West Zone C Division Girls Volleyball
February 18, 2010
By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Xinyi (Bukit Panjang #6) spikes past Qiuluan (Jurong #8). (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Hua Yi Secondary, Thursday, February 18, 2010 – Bukit Panjang Government High beat Jurong Secondary 2-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-10) to take third place in the West Zone C Division Girls Volleyball Championship. They came back from one set down to overcome their opponents after winning the rubber set decisively.
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Jurong beat Bukit Panjang Govt High 2-1 in West Zone B Division Girls Volleyball semi-final thriller
February 10, 2010
By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.

Li Bing (Jurong, #9) hits the ball away from Jia Yu (Bukit Panjang, #3). (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Hua Yi Secondary, Wednesday, February 10, 2010 – Jurong Secondary came back from one set down to beat Bukit Panjang Government High 2-1 (24-26, 27-25, 25-23) in a closely contested semi-final match of the B Division Girls West Zone Volleyball Championship. Bukit Panjang had earlier beaten Shuqun Secondary 2-0 to top their group, whereas Jurong lost to Nanyang Girls’ High 2-0 to finish second.
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Hazwari of Singapore Poly wins gold in 400m hurdles debut
February 3, 2010
By REDintern Soh Rui Yong

Hazwari (right) and Leong Yu Cheng are neck and neck crossing the last hurdle but Hazwari takes the lead after the latter stumbles a bit. (Photo © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Gombak Stadium, Saturday, January 30, 2010 – In his very first attempt at the distance, Hazwari Bin Abdul Wahid of Singapore Polytechnic (SP), surprised everybody, including himself, by clocking a quick time of 58.57 seconds to win the gold medal in the 400m hurdles at the 2010 Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) Track and Field Championships.
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Marcus Ong of Nanyang Poly wins 5000m final to complete POL-ITE double
February 1, 2010
By REDintern Soh Rui Yong

Nanyang Polytechnic’s Marcus Ong (2886) leading the pack for the 5000m race. (Photo © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
Gombak Stadium, Saturday, January 30, 2010 – After his 10000m triumph on Wednesday, Marcus Ong of Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) held off a late challenge by Singapore Polytechnic’s (SP) Muhammad Ilyas Bin Hassan to win the 5000m title at the 2010 POL-ITE Track and Field Championships in a time of 17:09min.
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NUS retain NUS-GE Water Polo Challenge title with victory over Ngee Ann Poly
January 28, 2010
Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.

Zi Yan (NP #9) reaching from behind to try and intercept the ball from Ben Cai (NUS #10). (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
National University of Singapore Sports and Recreation Complex, Friday, January 22, 2010 – Most Valuable Player Lin Diyan scored three times as National University of Singapore (NUS) defended their NUS-Great Eastern Water Polo Challenge crown with a comfortable 14-4 victory in the final over Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP).
Both teams came into the final undefeated to set up a repeat of last year’s final. NUS easily beat 13-11 Nanyang Polytechnic in the semi-final while NP had to work hard for their spot in the final, edging Nanyang Technological University (NTU) 11-10.
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Slingers see off Tigers 92-80 but still finish second in ABL
January 25, 2010
By Jan Lin in Bangkok

Slingers co-captain Kyle Jeffers (Slingers, #31) attempts to round Chaz Briggs (Tigers, #3). American import Jeffers managed a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds but was fouled out in the final period with 3:20 minutes on the clock. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Nimibutr National Stadium, Bangkok, Sunday, January 24, 2010 – The Singapore Slingers had to win against the Thailand Tigers to give themselves a shot at first place in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL). In the end, they did their part but the Philippine Patriots also did theirs to wrap up first place with a win over the Brunei Barracudas in Manila.
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Temasek Poly beat Singapore Poly to win IVP basketball title
January 21, 2010
By Les Tan/Red Sports

Ng Hanbin (white, TP #7) lays up for two against SP. Hanbin had a game-high 30 points, including five 3-pointers. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
NTU, Thursday, January 21, 2010 – Temasek Polytechnic (TP) saw off the challenge of Singapore Polytechnic (SP) with a comfortable 83-60 victory to win the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Basketball Championship title.
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Singapore Poly overturn third quarter deficit against Ngee Ann to qualify for IVP basketball final
January 21, 2010
Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by REDintern Tan Jon Han.

Edwin Low pumping his fist as he celebrates a crucial point scored over NP. (Photo 1 © Tan Jon Han/Red Sports)
Nanyang Technological University, Tuesday, January 19, 2010 – Singapore Polytechnic (SP) came back from a 12-point deficit in the third quarter to beat Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) 66-64 in a nail-biting semi-final of the men’s Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Basketball Championship.
Point guard Edwin Low led his side with 25 points as Singapore Polytechnic overcame the absence of key player Lim Wai Sian of the Singapore Slingers. Wai Sian had to fly with the Slingers to Brunei for an away game. It was Lim Wai Sian who brought SP to the semi-final with a brilliant performance against Nanyang Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic in the group stages.
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Tempers flare as Nanyang Poly fall to Ngee Ann Poly in NUS-GE Water Polo Challenge
January 16, 2010
Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

Lionel Kong (NYP #6) and Yeo Kai Quan (NYP #8) trying to trap and stop Rahul Shankar Pandey (NP #7) from scoring. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
National University of Singapore Sports and Recreation Complex, Tuesday, January 12, 2010 – Ngee Ann Polytechnic finished top of Group A after beating Nanyang Polytechnic 13-5 in physical encounter in the NUS-Great Eastern Water Polo Challenge.
2009 first runners-up NP came into the match as clear favourites and did not fail to deliver, drawing first blood when Joseph Tan opened the scoring within the first minute after Thaddeus Tok’s shot found the bar. NYP, who were confident coming into this match, quickly equalised through Zachary Matthews, capitalising on an extra man advantage following a foul by NP. These two quick goals within the first two minutes set the pace for the match.
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