Photos and story by REDintern Maryam Nasihah.
COE West U18 – The victors for the night. (Photo 1 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
Woodlands Stadium, Monday, November 10, 2008 – COE West beat Geylang United (GUFC) 2-1 to win the U-18 FAS Challenge Cup in a highly-anticipated match. Though it was a Monday evening, fans who were largely made up of the players’ families, turned up in full force.
It was a very tight game between the two teams with Geylang coming up strong to score the opener by striker, Ahmad. Despite being one goal down, the COE West players did not give up and equalised shortly after the first goal.
Minutes before the whistle was blown to mark the end of the first half, COE West netted a clever goal to go 2-1 up at the break.
The score remained this way until full time but it did not mean that Geylang did not have their chances. Several opportunities came their way every now and then but Lady Luck was just not on their side.
Nevertheless, both teams showed team spirit and determination, but it was COE West who earned champions’ crown.
In the battle for 3rd/4th placing, Home United U-18 beat Tampines Rovers 4-2 to clinch the bronze medal.
Due to unforeseen circumstances days before the game, the final was held at Woodlands Stadium instead of Jalan Besar Stadium. Kick off was at 7pm. (Photo 2 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
COE West celebrate as they level with GUFC 1-1 just minutes after GUFC scored the opener during the first half. (Photo 3 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
The referee checks on the GUFC player who is down while the GUFC goalkeeper looks rather worried for his teammate. (Photo 4 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
While the GUFC player was down in the penalty area, COE West players take the opportunity to hydrate themselves while the coach gave instructions. (Photo 5 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
A COE West player tries to penetrate through. (Photo 6 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
A COE West player trying his best to get away from the GUFC defender before making a cross. (Photo 7 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
COE West substitutes warming up while watching the game. (Photo 8 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
Both teams trying their best to win possession of the ball. (Photo 9 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
The GUFC team start the second half with hopes of an equaliser. (Photo 10 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
The GUFC defender (#7) was quick to pressure his opponent as his teammate waits behind in support. (Photo 11 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
COE West #15 manages to penetrate through with his quick speed… (Photo 12 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
… but the GUFC #20 was fast enough to recover and win the ball back. (Photo 13 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
In the end, it wasn’t enough as Geylang could not find the equaliser to force the game into extra time. When the referee blew the final whistle, the COE West players began to celebrate. (Photo 14 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
They knew they played all out but it was hard to take the defeat. (Photo 15 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
Geylang U18 cheer up enough for a team photo! (Photo 16 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
Editor’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, please feel free to leave the names behind in the comments section and we will update the captions accordingly. Thanks!
I am one of the supporters for geylang united U18 specifically.
I was so disappointed with how the referee handled the match.
There were a couple of times when I went to watch a match, the referee tends to be lenient to the national team. The one sidedness was very evident.
It is such a pity.
How can our national team be better if they can’t accept defeat?
How can one improve if they don’t learn their lesson?
To win because you played well is much better then you win due to referee’s ‘help’.
BIG BOO TO THE REFEREE!
ni bdk nfa-15.ko tkmo mcm phm la faiz!
nak step cristiano.cristiano pey ketiak ade uh.
bleh menang geylang ingat bagos sgt pe.try ngn kite uh.
mentang2 menang nk step power suroh post2.bey ko ade kat gmbar bey asal?kire besar uh?cm bdk2 laen tkde je kat tu gambar.cm phm uh ko!
Photo 12 is good, Maryam.
btw do gufc hav the full video footage of this match? hope they do upload tat in youtube. weeeeee!
hey . the caption which u put a coe west player . tat me . ‘faizrony’ haha.