SAFFC crowned S.League champions after narrow victory over Sengkang Punggol

Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.

Jalan Besar Stadium, Friday, October 16, 2009 - The third time proved to be the charm for Singapore Armed Forces Football Club as they claimed their record-breaking fourth consecutive S.League title with a narrow 1-0 victory over Sengkang Punggol.

They had previously failed to seal the title against Gombak United and the Super Reds.

S.League top scorer Aleksandar Duric headed home the only goal of the game from Shaiful Esah's corner in the 15th minute to claim victory and the title for the Warriors.

Sengkang's star striker Indra Sahdan Daud had said before the match that they "didn't want to be the team that gave SAFFC the title" and that "the Sengkang boys will fight hard" to prevent this from happening.

And fight hard they did.

After surviving early pressure from the Warriors, Sengkang controlled the match towards the end of the first half and they almost scored through Mamadou Diallo who forced a fantastic save from Shahril Jantan. Indra himself almost saved a point for Sengkang in the dying moments, but he scuffed his shot.

Mamadou Diallo was a live wire for Sengkang and the 19-year-old prime league player stole the show from Aleksandar Duric, receiving the man-of-the-match award instead of the veteran striker.

Nerves were the reason for SAFFC's letdowns against Gombak United and the Super Reds, but they showed no signs of it when they started the match firing on all cylinders. It took great timing from Sengkang goal keeper Amos Boon to prevent Ahmad Latiff from rounding him in the first minute.

He was called into action a few seconds later when Shaiful Esah curled a free kick towards his near post.

Aleksandar Duric almost broke the deadlock in the 12th minute after he was put through by a neat one-two with John Wilkinson. Amos Boon, however, was equal to the 39-year-old’s shot.

The S.League top scorer was not to be denied three minutes later, however. Esah whipped in a perfect corner and Duric leapt the highest to direct the ball past the hapless Amos Boon who could only push it onto the post and into goal.

SAFFC continued to dominate with plenty of possession and Duric almost doubled his side's lead when his looping headed found the bar instead of the back of the neat with Boon rooted.

Credit has to be given to the 37-year-old veteran goal keeper for his performance, though. Despite immense pressure from SAFFC, Amos Boon held his own throughout the match, denying them multiple times.

Towards the end of the half, Sengkang crept back into the match. Mamadou Diallo terrorized the champions' backline with his energy and powerful runs. Even national defender Daniel Bennett had trouble containing him.

Sengkang were unfortunate not to go into break on level terms when Daniel Bennett's weak defending allowed Mamadou Diallo to take a crack at goal inside the penalty area, but Shahril Jantan was equal to it.

The start of the second half mirrored that of the first as the Warriors pushed for more. Ahmad Latiff was a bundle of energy throughout the evening and he delivered an inch-perfect cross to Duric at the stroke of the hour, but the towering striker could only send it straight at Boon.

On 70 minutes, John Wilkinson also saw an effort saved by the evergreen Boon. His long-ranged volley following a corner was seen late by Boon, but he managed to tip it over.

The chance marked the last of SAFFC's pressure with the last 20 minutes belonging to the Dolphins. They forced SAFFC into some desperate defending and they had a great chance when Razaleigh Khalik gave away a free kick at the edge of the area. Substitute Indra Sahdan could only blast it against the wall, however.

Murphy Wiredu then had a chance for Sengkang, but his bullet-like header was well kept out by Jantan.

In the closing moments, Indra almost saved a point for Sengkang when he found himself with the ball in the penalty area. He scuffed his shot, however, and was crowded out by the SAFFC defense

Sengkang failed to convert any of their chances, and the Warriors held on for victory and the 2009 S.League title.