FOOTBALL

North Zone ‘B’ Division
Sengkang Sec vs Si Ling Sec
Wednesday, 15 February 2007, Sengkang Sec field

Text by Coach Dick Yip.  Pictures by Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Seng Kang vs Si Ling

Sengkang’s Haikal (in red) unleashes a rocket from the near the centre of the field to score a spectacular goal (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Sengkang Secondary beat Si Ling 3-0 to march into the next round of the North Zone ‘B’ Division.

Sengkang Sec, one of the top football schools in the North Zone, played at home and attacked from the start with numerous raids into Si Ling’s goal area. They tested the Si Ling defence with many high lobs in the hope of catching their defenders napping.  In the 5th minute, in a one-on-one situation, the  Si Ling’s keeper (Editor’s note: please let us know your name and we’ll put it in :-)) anticipated well and the close range shot was saved.

Sengkang, in search of their first goal, piled on the pressure, with more high lobs and testing crosses fed to their strikers up front. Their relentlessness was quickly rewarded in the 8th minute. From a high ball which was unsuccessfully cleared by Si Ling’s defenders, the ball bounced freely and dangerously.  Sengkang’s striker, Khair, was first to react.   He trapped the loose ball, sprinted past the defenders, and unleashed a powerful  low shot  which went in near the right post to give Sengkang a 1-0 lead.

One feature of this game I had observed was the extent of confidence shown by players from both sides who did not hesitate to shoot from long range. Many were stupendous near misses!  A couple hit the cross bar and were way beyond the keeper’s reach. Among the many were near misses by Sengkang’s Khair, Haikal, Aliff, Nizam and Si Ling’s no. 7, 9 and 11. (Editor’s note: again, f you know the names of the players, please let us know :-))

At this stage, Sengkang had most of the play with Si Ling launching occasional, fast counter-attacks through their best player Andy Ahmad who showed quality, class and maturity in his play.

In the 24th minute, under constant attack, a Si Ling defender fumbled a simple clearance which Sengkang’s Khair pounced on to score from close range.  Sengkang Sec  2,  Si Ling Sec  0.  Worse was to come for the visitors a mere minute later.  Before they could regain their composure, Sengkang’s Haikal trapped the ball near the center of the field and in one majestic movement,  unleashed a powerful long range shot which went in just under the crossbar, despite the keeper’s desperate efforts to keep it out.

The best real chance for Si Ling to open accounts was at the very end of the first half when, presented with a one-on-one situation facing the keeper, Si Ling’s no.18 missed. (Editor’s note: what’s the name of no.18?)

Si Ling Sec were a different picture at the start of the 2nd half. To their great credit, they came out strongly and played positive football. They moved the ball up faster, took more shots at goal with their no. 7 Andy Ahmad at the heart of the build-up and attacks.  The Si Ling defence also stood their ground and held firm.  Despite numerous chances by both teams, no more goals were scored. In light of this, play became more physical.  Not surprisingly, Sengkang’s no. 7 was eventually yellow carded for dangerous play 2 minutes before the final whistle.

Due to this result, Serangoon Gardens Secondary, who are in the same group, failed to qualify for the next round.

Seng Kang vs Si Ling

Sengkang striker Khair scored the first goal. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Seng Kang vs Si Ling

Si Ling’s best player, No.7, Andy Ahmad. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Seng Kang vs Si Ling

Si Ling Sec team in a huddle before the start of the second half. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)