Story by reader Muhammad Zulfiqar

Day 2 saw Seng Kang Secondary, Hong Kah Secondary and Singapore Sports School secure their place in the second round of the National B Division Boys’ Football Championship. There are only eight places available in Round 2 and only the top two of each of the four groups qualify.

With Group C qualifiers settled, the rest of the three groups will go down right to the wire on Day 3.

Group A
Siglap Secondary took on Zhenghua Secondary with redemption on their minds after their disappointing 1-2 loss to Marsiling Seconday on Day 1. They put on a display of ruthlessness and hunger as they thrashed Zhenghua 4-0. Siglap now have their destiny in their own hands while Zhenghua’s season is over.

In the other Group A game, Marsiling and Bartley played out a 2-2 draw, setting up a crunch Day 3 with all three teams still eligible for the top two qualifying spots.

Siglap will just need to beat Bartley to go through and vice versa. Marsiling will go through regardless of the result of the Siglap-Bartley game as long as they dispose of Zhenghua.

Group B
Underdogs Springfield suffered a setback in Group B when they were taken to the dumps in a 0-4 loss to West Zone champions Jurongville. Jurongville were unstoppable in their attacks and their defence stood their ground when needed to.

Queensway made light of their shock draw to Springfield in Day 1 with a straightforward 2-0 victory over Fuchun. Fuchun now have an uphill climb if they are to qualify for the second round. Queensway and Jurongville are favorites to progress but should Jurongville lose to Fuchun, Springfield will still have an outside chance of qualifying.

Group C
Hong Kah were made to work for victory against minnows Pasir Ris Secondary in a 3-1 victory. The Hong Kah defence looked penetrable as compared to their previous game and Pasir Ris were determined to prove a point.

Pasir Ris’ momentum was crushed however when Hong Kah were handed a dubious penalty decision by the referee. Pasir Ris bounced back to equalise with a penalty of their own. Though Pasir Ris defended well with captain Muhammad Ramdhan at the heart of it all, two long-range Hong Kah goals all but ended their hopes.

In the other Group C game, Sports School again showed why they were defending champions as they disposed of Serangoon Garden Secondary 3-0, to set up a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash with Hong Kah.

Group D
Seng Kang confirmed their 2nd Round spot after defeating St Gabriel’s Secondary 2-0, showing grit and determination in a game which could have gone either way. However, their experience shone through and they wrapped up their Group D campaign.

The game between St Patrick’s School and Regent Secondary was postponed to April 11th due to bad weather. This means the last qualifying spot is St Patrick’s to lose. Even if they beat Regent, St Patrick’s have the aggressive and well-disciplined Seng Kang up next. A loss will allow St Gabriel’s to go through if they beat Regent.

National B Division Boys’ Football Championship — Full fixtures and results