El Nino Del Firo crowned Nike Cup champions and win trip to Brazil

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

National Stadium East Entrance Promenade, Sunday, July 4, 2010 — El Nino Del Firo were crowned champions of the senior category of the inaugural Nike Cup after accumulating the most wins and defeating The Unknown Stars 1-0 in the Grand Finals.

After four qualifying rounds in various venues around Singapore, 200 teams from the junior and senior categories gathered at the National Stadium for the Grand Finals of the Nike Cup. Just like in the qualifying rounds, teams had to accumulate as many wins as possible in four hours. The top two teams with the most wins after that period of time then went on to a 10-minute play-off where the team who scored the most goals was crowned Nike Cup champions.

With their dominating performance at the Grand Finals, El Nino Del Firo win a five-day, all-expense paid trip to Brazil.

“We are totally on top of the world right now!” exclaimed Afiq Yahya, El Nino’s captain. “Credit must really be given to my team for fighting so hard, putting so much effort, and coming so far. I am really proud of them.”

They had to overcome The Unknown Stars, a team from Raffles Institution, in the final. El Nino Del Firo took an early lead and hung on from there. With the chance of a lifetime on the line, it was no surprise when emotions ran high during the match with the referee having to calm things down on a couple of occasions.

“Of course, we are sad that we weren’t able to win,” said a disappointed Soh Hsiu Hsien. “But I have to say that the better team won today. It was an intense match and we got a bit distracted by our emotions, but that is part and parcel of the game.”

“Overall, the tournament is well organised and we all had fun. It was a great opportunity to get together as a group of friends. The prizes are also very attractive,” added Hsiu Hsien.

“The Unknown Stars are also a very competitive team,” said Afiq of his final opponents. “It was a very close final where we took the lead in the early then defended. We played hard and took our chances.”

“We are just a group of friends who know each other because of football,” explained Afiq, when asked how they knew each other. “We would come together about once every three weeks to play football at a basketball court. We came in via the west zone qualifier at Queensway where we were undefeated for 27 games!”

“Now, we get an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy ourselves and showcase our talent in Brazil! We wouldn’t have the money to go all the way there on our own so we are really grateful to Nike for giving us this opportunity.”

“If I get the chance to meet Robinho or Kaka, I’ll plant a kiss on their cheek!” said Afiq.

The Nike Cup is played in a unique format with teams able to continue playing despite losing. Afiq commented: “When teams enter into some tournaments, they might feel demoralised after losing, but it wouldn’t happen in this tournament. Nike came out with this new system where teams can keep playing. It is very good and the rules and such — it is a superb tournament.”

For more photos, go to the next page.