By REDintern Desiray Tay

Jalan Besar Stadium, Friday, August 21, 2009 – Singapore Sports School beat Victoria School 3-1 to capture the C Division Football Championship title.

Despite losing 1-0 to Greenview Secondary in the semi-final, Victoria were granted a place in the final after Greenview were penalised for fielding an ineligible player who had 3 yellow cards in the semi-final.

Victoria were thus eager to prove they were worth a place in the final.

Victoria attacked from the start but they almost conceded first when their keeper recklessly ran out to try to stop the ball. Faizal (SSS, #13) stole the ball with the goal left open but the VS captain #37 saved the day with a well-timed tackle.

VS had more shots at goal than Sports School in the early proceedings but it was Sports School who drew first blood through Amirul (SSS, #15) who jumped highest to head it in from Sadik’s (SSS, #17) curling corner for a 1-0 lead.

Both sides play the same long-ball tactic and the play got physical, leading to a lot of free kicks.

Sports School almost went 2-0 up when a free kick by Danial (#16) just outside the penalty box hit the post. VS then started to play rough when their #32 repeatedly shoved Zachary (SSS, #10) riling him up enough that he walked up to confront his tormentor.

In the second half, free kicks continued to be the story of the game. The VS keeper made a terrific save from one such free kick by Sadik (SSS, #17) from a dangerous spot.

Victoria wasted chances up front with their #44 showing a poor first touch but he played a part in the equaliser with a curling shot that was heading straight into goal but his teammate #21 claimed it with a final unneeded nudge to aid it into goal.

Sports School then were unlucky again when another of their free kicks hit the crossbar again. But they eventually took the lead again when Sadik (#17) scored through a free kick to make it 2-1.

In a matter of minutes, it was 3-1 to Sports School with the goal coming from open play by Faizal (SSS, #13).

In the 3rd/4th playoff match, Seng Kang Secondary beat Greenview 1-0.