Story by Carissa Tan/Red Sports. Photos by Zachary Foo/Red Sports

Both players attempt to win a 50–50 chance, with Bowen coming out the victor. (Photo 1 © Zachary Foo/Red Sports)

Both players attempt to win a 50–50 chance, with Bowen coming out the victor. (Photo 1 © Zachary Foo/Red Sports)

Serangoon Stadium, Wednesday, April 15, 2015 — Defending champions, Bowen Secondary, fell 1–3 to Queensway Secondary in a penalty shoot-out in the National B Division Girls’ Football Championship final.

Bowen displayed fluid teamwork right from the start. They played a game of possession while Queensway opted for faster play with far lobs or long passes forward.

Bowen’s strategy proved to be more successful with a first attempt at goal from Nabilah Baharuddin (#6) barely three minutes into the game.

Subsequently, Queensway played it safe. They cleared any stray balls that came close to goal, willingly conceding throw-ins and corner kicks.

As a cohesive unit, Bowen presented an extremely threatening offence. They were comfortable and confident enough to play the ball back to their backline to switch the point of attack whenever necessary. Their ability to switch play, coupled with the employing of triangle passing greatly bolstered their attack. Queensway were unable to block these passes, especially at the midfield.

As Bowen maintained a relentless attack, Queensway were forced to adopt a strategy of counter-attacking. While this strategy allowed them to cross the midfield quickly, their lone striker struggled to hold her ground against Bowen defenders.

Conversely, Bowen right winger, Riddle Reneelyn Sison (#10), posed a great threat to Queensway as she cut through their defence many times to set up shots. Bowen were unable to capitalise on this for the opening goal as Queensway defenders gave the attackers little space to turn.

However, while Queensway boasted a strong defence, they struggled to hold onto possession. Attackers were often easily pushed off the ball by Bowen defenders. Bowen defenders covered for each other very quickly and were able to intercept multiple through-passes to hinder Queensway’s attack.

In the second half, Queensway put up a much stronger offence, earning more opportunities at goal.

Ong Yan Ting (Bowen #16) had a clear shot at goal midway through the half but it veered slightly off. Bowen were visibly frustrated as they continually failed to score the opener. Their attacks grew less coordinated than in the first half.

With neither team able to score, the game went into extra time. Bowen narrowly missed out the goal once more when a free-kick taken by Emilia Natasha (#17) rattled off the right post.

Queensway goalkeeper, Victoria Soo (#20), continued to deny Bowen the goal, forcing the game into penalties.

Victoria Soo (#20) blocked Bowen’s first shot and scored the first goal. This gave Queensway the lead after Queensway’s first shot, as Bowen’s second racketed off the crossbar.

Nur Faradila Rafidi (#3) equalised for Bowen. However, Bowen missed their next shot and Vanessa Tan (#9) calmly put in Queensway’s fourth shot to seal their 3–1 victory on penalties.

“I think the team did well. Compared to the other matches, I think we really put in our hundred percent. Even though we lost, we are still a team. It’s not about the colour of the medal but I think in our heart, we are still the champions,” said Bowen captain, Nur Shaahidah Zulkifli (#15).

Queensway captain, Nur Izzati (#13), said, “This is the first time we’ve won after four years. It’s a surprise my team did well even though we have always met Bowen and lost to them. For the first time, we managed to keep the match to a 0–0 draw until the extra time and the penalty shoot-outs.”

This is Queensway’s first gold medal in this division. They came in third for the last two years.

Scoring by half
Queensway vs Bowen
1st half: 0–0
2nd half: 0–0
Overtime: 0–0
Penalties: 3–1

Scorers
Queensway
Victoria Soo (#20) – 1 goal
Nur Izzati Bte Rosni (#13) – 1 goal
Vanessa Tan Su Lin (#9) – 1 goal

Bowen
Nur Faradila Rafidi (#3) – 1 goal

Queensway Roster
Nur Rynna Shazrina Bte M I (#1), Lim Rui Adrienne (#2), Chen Si En Sarah (#3), Nurain Dwi Putri Bte Azman (#4), Nur Yesti Aqeesha Bte Rosli (#5), Kwek Jae Yee (#6), Nurmusfirah Mohammed (#7), Siti Nur Syarifah Bte Alim (#8), Megan Vanessa Tan Su Lin (#9), Rachel Wee Mun Wen (#10), Nur Syafinaz Rafik (#11), Haziqah Bte Mohd Haizal (#12), Nur Izzati Bte Rosni (#13), Ang Shi Wei, Gwenda (#14), Pearl Ng Yu Ying (#15), So Caryn (#16), Esther Tan Su Wee (#17), Callista Cherise Budiono (#18), Kwunpetch Kwunjira (#19), Soo Li Hui, Victoria (#20)

Bowen Roster
Nur Faizah Bte Ramle (#1), Azyzy Jasmine Mohd Jalaini (#2), Nur Faradila Rafidi (#3), Nurul Jannah Bte Joha (#4), Natasia Lim Yu Xuan (#5), Nabilah Bte Baharuddin (#6), Natasha Bt Azhar (#7), Imelda Bte Ahmad (#8), Ang Hui Zhen (#9), Riddle Reneelyn Sison (#10), Kharisma Nabila Adrin (#11), Vivien Chan Hui Ling (#12), Keerthana Masha (#13), Tan Zi Hui (#14), Nur Shaahidah Zulkifli (#15), Ong Yan Ting (#16), Emilia Natasha (#17), Ng Yu Xuan Celestine (#18), Lynn Rashiqah Bte Ridzawi (#19), Hurmiila D/o Elanchelian (#21)

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