FOOTBALL

North Zone ‘B’ Division
Serangoon Gardens Sec vs Canberra Sec
Wednesday, 14 February 2007, at Sengkang Sec Field
Text by Coach Dick Yip.  Pictures by Leslie Tan.  © soulbreath pictures.

Serangoon Gardens Secondary crushed Canberra 8-1 in a ‘B’ Division football to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the next round.

Canberra (in light blue tops) struggled against Serangoon Gardens Sec

The showdown between Serangoon Gardens captained by Justin Luke, and Canberra Sec led by Khusairi, started at 3.15 pm on a hot and humid afternoon.  Both schools were defeated by stronger rivals in previous matches and so it was crucial for either team to get a win to help their qualifying hopes. In the opening minutes, play was quite balanced, with strikers from both sides, testing the goalkeepers.

Canberra’s goalkeeper Rafi makes a fingertip save against Serangoon Gardens Sec

The breakthrough came in the 13th minute when Canberra’s right midfielder Daniel Tan, running onto a loose ball, took a few strides before hitting a half volley which sailed into goal to give Canberra a 1-0 lead.  This jolted the Serangoon Gardens players into a higher gear instantly.  Bent on snatching an equaliser before the break, their determination paid off within the next 5 minutes, when Firdaus (no.18) rifled in a bullet shot that Canberra’s keeper Rafi failed to stop to even the score at 1-1.

Karthigesan of Serangoon Gardens scored 4 goals against Canberra Sec

Recharged and buoyed by that goal, Serangoon Gardens went for the killer punch largely through the tireless running, goading and excellent distribution of the ball by the smallest player on the pitch, midfielder Karthigesan,who exuded class, exquisite control and deadly finishing.  Time and time again, with CS defenders at his back and front of him, with deft touches, he ghosted past them effortlessly.

In the 28th minute, chasing a ball on the right flank, Karthigesan controlled it, relayed it and ran on, expecting the return pass.  He got the telepathic pass, twisting and turning, and without breaking his stride,  ran goalwards at an angle, looked up just once and with the outside of his left boot, arrowed an unforgettable curling shot to the top left corner which Canberra’s keeper Rafi could only look on in total disbelief.  No one could blame the keeper.  It was the goal of the match.   At half time,  Serangoon Gardens led 2-1.

When the game restarted, Canberra Sec could never have guessed what was soon to engulf them. The floodgates were prised wide open by their rivals, who treated us to exhibition style, smooth-flowing soccer. Serangoon Gardens hit them with 6 more goals, with the first coming in as early as the 5th minute of the second half.  Karthigesan having the ball, sent a pin-point through pass to midfielder Khairul Anuar, who blasted a thunderbolt into goal.

There was nothing much the Canberra boys could do as Karthig, as he is known to team mates, went on an unstoppable rampage to claim 3 more personal goals, bringing his tally to 4 in this match alone.  His final contribution to the afternoon’s magic was almost an exact replay of his first goal. 2 minutes after that ,CS keeper Rafi and his team mates heard the sweet blast of the referee’s whistle which ended their nightmare and misery. The final score – 8 – 1.

More action shots in the Picture Gallery.