Contributed by reader Daniel Tang of Fairfield Methodist
Fairfield Methodist Secondary School, Monday, February 4, 2008 - Fairfield Methodist Secondary beat Guangyang Secondary 3-0 to keep their qualification hopes alive in a South Zone B Division Football Championship match.
The highly-anticipated match against Guangyang had finally arrived for students and players of the Fairfield Methodist team, also known as "FSW" by the home team and their supporters. On this bright and sunny Monday evening, Fairfield needed to win desperately against Guangyang to remain in the race for qualification for the second round, after losing a hard fought battle against St Gabriel’s Secondary a week ago. For Guangyang, it was an equally important game after losing to Kent Ridge Secondary the previous week.
Fans of both teams started streaming in to take their seats as the kick off time of 4:30 p.m. approached. Everyone put their hands together and started to applaud as the both teams took their places on the field. Fairfield captain, Muttaqin, #11, shook hands with his counterpart from Guangyang before participating in the coin toss.
It was an evenly matched game for the first 20 minutes with both sides missing chances to put them in the lead. Fairfield finally broke the deadlock when Issac Low (#12) dribbled the ball into the penalty area and blasting a low drive at the keeper who fumbled the ball across the line for a 1-0 lead. The Fairfield players were jubilant! And the Guangyang players were notably shocked at the goal, with players slumping onto their knees in disappointment. The Fairfield attacked intensified, limiting Guangyang to the occasional counter attacks and it was not long before Fairfield doubled their lead when Nicholas Yong (#3) received a vital pass at the edge of the penalty area and took a low shot that headed for the bottom corner of the net for a 2-0 lead.
Guangyang paid the price for the lapse of concentration displayed by their defenders and goalkeeper (#20). A visibly-delighted Nicholas, who sometimes plays the role of a goalkeeper, ran towards the spectators and performed his own victory dance. Despite going two goals down, Guangyang upped their performance and started to attack the Fairfield defence with much venom but Fairfield managed to hold on to their lead until half-time.
During the break, a few key substitutions were made, including a much needed change of goalkeeper for Guangyang. What the Guangyang coach said to the players seem to really help during the second half, as their attackers began pushing the Fairfield players back. Fairfield fought on as they were being pushed back by Guangyang, challenging for every ball and going in for the tackles. Guangyang could have scored if not for the tight Fairfield defence and goalkeeping. The Fairfield coach decided to make a key change, moving outfield player Nicholas Yong to the goalkeeping role and brought on an attacking player, as Fairfield were undergoing a long period of bombardment by the opposing team.
It looked as if Fairfield were content to sit back and defend their lead. However, Fairfield’s Wan Ho Tang (#9) decided that he didn't want that when he scored an unstoppable long-range shot that flew into the top right corner of the goal leaving the Guangyang keeper stumped for a 3-0 lead. Fairfield's confidence were restored as they brought the game to Guangyang by continuously taking shots and terrorizing the defence. Poor finishing and an improved goalkeeper performance by Guangyang prevented them from adding to their tally.
Fairfield and Guangyang both played out an exciting 80 minutes for the fans. However there could only be one winner in this closely matched game, which in this case went to the team with the better finishing.
Other results:
South Zone B Division
St Gabriel’s 3 Fairfield 1
Kent Ridge 1 Guangyang 0
ACS(IND) 3 Beatty 2
Kent Ridge 2 Fairfield 0
ACS(IND) 1 Fairfield 1
South Zone C Division
First Toa Payoh 3 Fairfield 2
Bendemeer 2 Fairfield 0
Name of fairfield( #12) is Isaac Low, not Issac Lim, thank you..