Story by REDintern Hariharan. Photos by Les Tan/Red Sports
Tan Danial Farhan of Sports School finds his shot charged down by the Greenview captain Wyldan. Danial is the B Division top scorer with 12 goals to his name but good Greenview goalkeeping and defending kept him quiet in the semi-final. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Co-Curricular Activities Branch (CCAB), Monday, July 10, 2010 — It was sweet revenge for Singapore Sports School as they beat Greenview Secondary School 1-0 in extra-time to secure their place in the B Division Football Championship final.
Sports School came into the game having lost just once in the tournament and their only defeat came at the hands of their semi-final opponents Greenview, who boasted an unbeaten record in the competition.
The game was dominated by Sports School for the most part although Greenview managed to string a few good moves together and provide a few scares themselves.
The first real chance of the game came in the 15th minute when Sports School striker and tournament top scorer, Tan Danial Farhan, had two consecutive shots blocked by Greenview skipper Muhammed Wyldan as he put his body on the line to deny Danial his 13th of the tournament.
In the 21st minute, Sports School midfielder Nurullah stole the ball from Greenview and made a 40-metre run from the halfway line into the box before providing an inch perfect cross for striker Nicholas Marc Cher whose header was saved.
Greenview finally turned up to play in the last five minutes of the first half. Emir executed a textbook through pass to striker Faozi who scuffed his shot sending the ball over the crossbar.
The best chance of the game came right at the death of the first half. A back pass to Sports School goalkeeper Khairul Karim B Zulhanif required the right-footed keeper to make a clearance with his left foot as the ever-hungry Greenview striker Haiqul charged toward him. His clearance ricocheted off Haiqul’s shin and back to him, allowing him a second scrappy clearance with his preferred right foot.
Sports School attacked right from the kick off in the second half. Sports School midfielder Shannon Stephen’s cross into the box was punched out by the Greenview keeper, Adiman. The ball fell to Nicholas, who immediately took a shot at goal. Adiman was caught off his line but good defensive cover from his centre-back prevented the shot from going in.
Another cross into the box by Sports School midfielder Muhd Fuad Bin Ramli was met by the head of Nicholas, forcing the Greenview keeper into a stunning save over the bar in the 46th minute.
Sports School substitute midfielder Muhammed Syafiq Bin Siraj made an immediate impact coming on in the 50th minute. He sprinted down the left flank and crossed the ball into the box. Danial headed the ball toward goal, but the keeper stopped the shot from point blank range with his face.
Greenview could only resort to long range passes to their forwards and shots from outside the box as Sports School dominated possession.
Greenview’s Wyldan then appeared to pull a calf muscle just after defending a corner and was carried off the field, leaving Greenview with 10 men in the final two minutes. However, the captain showed determination as he ran back onto the pitch a minute later to play out the goalless draw to full time.
The first period of extra-time epitomized the entire game with a series of missed opportunities.
Sports School skipper Muhammad Zakir B Samsudin delivered an inswinging corner into the box in the 3rd minute. Danial headed the ball off the crossbar from 6 yards out. The ball landed at the feet of Nurullah, whose snapshot came off the crossbar as well.
A minute later Greenview’s Faozi tailored a through pass to Haiqul with the outside of his right boot at the other end of the pitch. Haiqul managed to get a shot away, but it was just wide of the right post.
Sports School kicked off the second period of extra time, winning a free kick almost immediately when Haiqul appeared to have tripped Danial.
The free kick near the halfway line was taken by Tajeli Bin Selamat who pumped the ball into the Greenview box. Zakir did well to rise above the defenders and head the ball toward goal. The ball bounced on the ground before coming off the right-hand post as all the players stood rooted to the ground and looked on. Nurullah reacted the fastest as he smashed the rebound through the keepers legs, scoring the winner for Sports School.
Haiqul of Greenview unleashes a shot at the Sports School goal but the effort did not find its target. (Photo 2 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
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any one can provide the lineup for sports school?
If you read carefully, the lineup is already in the story.