By Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports
Indra Putra (white, #8) of SNL Sports School competes with the Granchio Rosso goalie for the ball during the Delta League semi-final match. Indra scored two goals in the victory. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Kent Ridge Secondary School, Wednesday, June 25, 2014 — The Saturday Night Lights (SNL) Sports School football team advanced to the Delta League final with a 3–0 victory over Granchio Rosso.
The team is part of the SNL programme, which is an initiative by the SportCares Foundation. The programme takes disadvantaged youths off the streets on a Saturday night to give them formal football training and a healthy meal at the end of it — without charge. The foundation was set up by Sport Singapore to drive social good through sport and is one of the recommendations of Vision 2030.
The SNL Sports School team was formed just three months ago and only train together once weekly. This was the team’s first ever semi-final, and they were matched up against last year’s finalist, Granchio Rosso.
SNL Sports School had a stellar second half, dominating the possession of the ball. Muhammad Fazrey (#16) scored the first goal through a direct free kick from beyond midfield. Minutes later, Indra Putra (#8) managed to steal the ball off the right flank and put it safely past Granchio Rosso’s goal keeper. Indra repeated his feat soon after, this time from the top of the penalty box, to seal the 3–0 victory.
“The other team has good individual players. For us, we believe in teamwork. Everybody supports each other. We won the game because the boys trusted and supported each other, as a unit, as a team. Credit to every player. They put in a sterling performance,” said Mohamad Yakob, who coaches SNL Sports School. “Participation in the Delta League was meant to give the boys some experience, but for us to qualify for the final, I simply have no words to express it. It’s a blessing.”
Laura Reid, Assistant Director of SportCares Foundation, said, “The boys and the coaches did what they do best. They played as a team. They only train together once a week and they’ve been playing against school teams that have played longer together. Our boys have come in as the underdogs everytime. And everytime, we have given the other teams a shock. I’m really hoping and praying that we can deliver one more shock in the final.”
“I’m in awe of what they’ve done. I’m in absolute awe of what the boys have done, of what the coaches have done. Three months ago, these kids were strangers. And now, they are rock-solid teammates,” added Reid.
For Muhammad Fazrey (#16), his goal from the SNL Sports School’s half gave the team a much needed boost, after a scoreless first half. “Surreal,” said the SNL Sports School captain. “To be honest, I was aiming for Indra (#8). He managed to distract the keeper, and the ball managed to go straight into the net. I was quite shocked and I didn’t know how to react. But it was good, as it helped boost the morale of the team.”
The Delta League final will be played on Friday, June 27, 6 p.m., at Jurong West Sports Centre. Entry to the stadium is free.
SNL Sports School Roster
Muhammad Farhan Bin Shahrizal, Mohamed Danial Bin Mohamed Salem, Muhammad Syafawie Bin Mohamed Saim, Muhammad Fazrey Bin Zainal, Muhd Abdul Irfan, Muhd Farhan Bin Ismail, Indra Putra Bin Nosman, Luthfi, Mohd Fauzie Bin Mohd Noor, Muhd Shah Arif Bin Osman, Mohd Nuraqil Bin Mohd Affandi, Abdul Thaslim Haja Najubudeeh, Muhd Kamarudin Kamari, Muhd Helmi Bin Ishak, Johannes, Ameerul, Azrin, Nurullah
More photos next page
Leave A Comment