Bullets rue wasted chances as they go down to a solitary goal

28 Feb 2012

The junior Bullets cross swords with Sengkang Secondary School this afternoon and came out second best by a narrow 1-nil margin. A goal conceded from a momentary lapse of concentration in the first half was enough to cost the Bullets. Even a courageous performance in the second half to find the equaliser was in vain.

In a tightly-contested encounter, both sides closed down every inch on the pitch, making play scrappy. Possession was even but the Sengkang boys were creating the better chances.  Off a corner in the 18^th minute, Sengkang opened accounts when a corner kick from the right was half-cleared by the Bullets. With no Bullet taking responsibility for the second clearance, the ball bounced out of the penalty box but fell nicely to a Sengkang midfielder who punted the ball accurately into the goal beyond the reach of Bullets goalkeeper, Muhd Rozaini.

The Bullets tried to provide a quick response, with good inter-play in midfield and forwards, Javier and Afiq making incisive runs into the danger area. They were not able to make the breakthrough behind the opponent’s defence but earned several free kicks in decent positions. Alas, these were all wasted as the free-kicks were sent directly into the hands of the grateful Sengkang goalkeeper. Just before the half-time whistle, the enterprising Afiq showed good skills to get behind the Sengkang defence and down the by-line. However, the resulting cross was too close to the goalkeeper.

In the 2^nd half, the Bullets dished out more of the same but the final ball was either too long or cleared by the last defender. They did well to limit Sengkang to a couple of attempts at goal with an open shot superbly palmed away by Rozaini. As the clock ticked by, more Bullet attacks were beginning to go down the flanks to avoid the tall Sengkang central defenders. With such high energy coursing through the Bowen team, one might feel an equaliser coming. It almost arrived when right- midfielder Aloysius Lee had a left-footed shot in the 46^th min fumbled by the Sengkang goalkeeper. The best chances were from free-kicks and corners but the Bullets wasted almost all of them with poor delivery into the box.

The referee blew for full time to signal a failed Bullets comeback. The Bowen boys looked dejected as they leave the field but if they want to overcome their next opponent in the form of hot favourites Singapore Sports School, they will need to snap out of their daze and learn to make their opportunities count.

Man-of-the Match: Muhd Afiq for showing great hunger for the match, taking responsibility  for most of the Bullets’ attacking play despite missing lunch this morning.

Line-up: Rozaini, Akmal, Saiful, Adrian, Hazim, Danial, Aizan, Rafid, Aloysius, Afiq, Javier

Bullets' comeback girls checkmate the Queen

23 Feb 2012

Bowen Bullets B Div Girls Squad

The  Bowen B Division Girls team opened their season with a big bang yesterday, carving out a valuable victory over Queensway Secondary in their opponents' home turf. After going behind to a goal in the first half, the Bullets caused scenes of wild celebration when last year's MVP in the same tournament, Wei Xuan scored the decisive goal to help Bowen to a 3-2 win.

Queensway started the first half frantically, creating several decent opportunities to keep the Bullets' defence busy. But the Bullets still managed to maintain good possession in midfield. Unfortunately for the Bullets, Queensway's persistence was rewarded with a goal in the 20th minute when they earned a free kick outside the box. The goal shook the confidence of the Bullets' defenders who, much to their merit, mustered enough composure to not concede again before the whistle for the interval.

The Bullets Girls came back with a vengeance, scoring an instant equalizer right from the kick-off for the second half. Skipper Humaira shot from just outside the penalty box off a pass from the marauding Wei Xuan. The Bullets' confidence returned. In the 45th minute, striker Caeley weaved past her marker and hit a stiff shot into goal for the Bullets' second goal. However, the lead was short-lived as a few minutes later, the Bullets let their guard down momentarily for a Queensway forward to equalize. 

The match was heading for a stalemate until Wei Xuan showed why she was voted MVP the year before. From the middle of the park, Humaira made an incisive defence-splitting pass to Wei Xuan, who made a good run into space to receive the ball and slot it pass the hapless Queensway goalkeeper. 

It was a moment of ecstasy for the Girl Bullets who left the pitch in good spirits, after suffering the disapppointment of having their first match against Greenview Secondary postponed due to lightning risk. With a big rival out of the way, the Bullets has now gained an upper hand in the group which also features Zhenghua Secondary School whom the Bullets will meet next Tuesday.

C Boys Bullets heave a big sigh of relief after 1-0 win over Hougang Sec

14 Feb 2012

Both teams still had the chance to qualify for the quarter-final draw next week. But the one that showed the greater hunger lost out to a moment of hesitation. Hougang Secondary, though the technically inferior team, out fought the junior Bullets in a NZ C Division match this afternoon at Yishun Secondary School but eventually lost the game 1-0. Bullets forward Muhd Afiq took advantage of a shaky Hougang defence to steal the ball in the penalty box to score the only goal in the game.

The goal came in the 6^th min but for the rest of the match, it was Hougang Sec that stole the show and almost caused a major shock in the preliminary round of the tournament. Playing in an unusually short field, the Bullets had trouble adapting, finding space to play their pass-and-move football difficult. Add to that, the absence of centre-back Muhd Akmal, who was injured with a fractured arm, made dealing with the many long balls by Hougang Sec a nervous task. The lack of communication in the Bullets’ defensive ranks almost cost Bowen the game. Fortunately, Bullets keeper Muhd Rozaini had an assured game with his safe handling.

With 10 minutes left, Hougang Sec gradually took over the midfield area from the clueless Bullets, breaking into the Bowen penalty box time and again. The unease was plain to see when Bullets Coach Lim summoned for his team to play it safe and close out the game.  The fighting spirit shown by the Hougang players was refreshing to see from a team who began the game as underdogs. The resilience and determination was something that the Bullets would have to learn from if they want to proceed further than the quarter-final stage.

Man-of-the-Match: Aloysius Lee. A surprise but Aloysius' ingenuity and trickery was one of the few positives to take away from the game in which the usual performers like Javier Ho were disappointing.

Line-up: Rozaini, Adrian, Danial, Sureen, Samuel (Riley), Rafid, Aizan, Aloysius, Hazim, Javier, Afiq

Senior Bullets regain pride with narrow 2-1 win

13 Feb 2012

In a NZ B Div Boys match this afternoon at Sembawang Secondary School, the senior Bullets wrapped up their inter-schools campaign with a 2-1 win over the home team. Skipper Muhd Ali and right midfielder Tan Renyu scored the goals from corners after Sembawang opened the scoring with a free-kick when the match was 20 minutes old.

Both sides tried to take control of possession in the early stages of the match but the home team created the better chances by bombarding Bowen on the right side of defence. During one of these raids, the Bullets conceded a free kick just outside the penalty box. Stand-in goalkeeper, Muhd Hilman sighted the ball too late and allowed the ball to race past him off the crossbar.

10 minutes later, the Bullets were awarded a corner on the left and when the ball was swung in, Muhd Ali rose the highest to nod the ball home for the equaliser.

Bullets Left-Winger Royzat feeling the heat

The home team continued to worry the Bullets in the second half but the Bullets persevered to keep them at bay. In fact, Bullets striker Prem came close at the other end with a left-footed shot that was just inches wide. But the Bowen boys finally gained the advantage they deserved from another corner in the 60^th min. This time, Renyu was in the right place at the right time to bundle the ball into goal for a 2-1 lead.

That proved to be the winning goal as the smiles were back on the Bullets’ faces after 2 crucial defeats the week before that knocked them out of contention for the quarter-finals.

Man-of-the-Match: Muhd Shafiq. Finally coming to life with timely interceptions and hard tackles that at times knocked the wind out of the opponents.

Line-up: Hilman, Shafiq, Royce, Hanafi, Kenneth (Akhsan), Ali, Azfar, Royzat, Renyu (Karthik), Arsyad, Prem.

Bullets deprived of victory over Serangoon Secondary by late goal

10 Feb 2012

The C Div Boys from Bowen Sec put up one of their best performances against Serangoon Secondary School in a NZ Inter-Schools Group D match this afternoon but were left undone by a late equaliser in the last 5 minutes of the game.

The junior Bullets played gallantly and were markedly the better team for most of the match which ended in a 1-1 draw. Serangoon Sec could not cope with the attacking triangle of Muhd Afiq, Muhd Aizan and Javier Ho, failing to string simple passes together. In contrast, the Bullets played early balls and found their way out of tight situations with one-touch passing.  With left midfielder Muhd Hazim also in inspired form, the Bullets enjoyed much of the possession which they made good use of. Off a corner from the left in the 4^th minute, Muhd Hazim who was left unmarked at the far post, rose the highest to nod the ball into the net to the delight of the Bowen bench and supporters.

Serangoon Sec went on the offensive after conceding but was always second best in the 50-50 challenges. With few solutions, they resorted to some unorthodox tackles. Late in the first half, one of the tackles from behind grounded Muhd Afiq but the offender was only given a warning by the referee. Afiq had to eventually leave the field due to the injury, giving way to Saiful to play in the centre of midfield.

The second half went the same way as the first but without the most inventive player in the team, the Bullets’ strength in midfield was slightly compromised. Still the Bullets’ defence, marshalled by Muhd Akmal stood like the wall of China, repelling everything that the opponents threw at it. The Bullets looked like heading to a well-deserved victory until the 55^th min when Serangoon Sec scored a lucky equaliser. From a harmless position, Serangoon Sec launched a free kick behind the Bowen defence that looked flat for the first time. When the ball dropped, a Serangoon striker pounced on the lose ball to send a weak shot that trickled into the corner of the goalmouth as goalkeeper Muhd Rozaini struggled to get across to cover.

Ultimately,  a goal each in both the first and last 5 minutes of the game allowed both teams to share the points but it was the home team that looked the happier side as they now hold the advantage in goal difference in the table standings. To leapfrog Serangoon Sec to the top position, the Bullets will now have to score more than 10 goals against Hougang Sec next Tuesday. But if the Bullets could stay fit and play like they did today, who is to say that the goals galore could not happen?

Man-of-the-match: Muhd Hazim who played positively in left midfield, creating space for the strikers to torment the opponent’s defence. Add to that, a headed goal to earn a draw. The alternative choice is Muhd Danial who was calm and collected in defence.

Line-up: Rozaini, Adrian, Akmal, Danial, Sureen, Aloysius, Rafid, Aizan, Hazim, Afiq (Saiful), Javier.

Bullets mauled by slick and efficient Marsiling outfit

9 Feb 2012

The senior Bullets boys ran out of ideas against a very competent Marsiling Secondary School team and were soundly shot down 6-2 in a winner-takes-all B Div boys match this afternoon at Marsiling Secondary School.

With the winner of the match likely to take the second quarter-final spot from Group C, the Bullets gave their all in a battle of stamina under the hot afternoon sun.  The home supporters made their presence known when the match started but the Bullets were hardly intimidated.

They matched the group favourites stride for stride in the first 15 minutes, counter-attacking with much ambition and audacity. In the 19^th min, the Bullets even silenced the home crowd with a goal borned out of nothing. A long ball from midfield was launched towards the Marsiling goal but with Bullets forward Prem chasing down the ball, the Marsiling sweeper panicked right in front of his onrushing goalkeeper who then missed the ball completely, leaving Prem the easiest task of scoring his 2nd goal in the competition.

However, a nightmarish 8 minutes were to follow as the Bullets conceded 4 goals in quick succession. The Bullets defence was caught ball-watching  as the Marsiling attackers sprang into action. A lapse of concentration in the 31^st min allowed Marsiling to pass the ball into the net from the penalty box for their equaliser. Then a left sided attempt at goal was allowed to travel across the goalmouth for a Marsiling striker to tap in from a seemingly off-side position. 2 more goals in the 37^th min and 39^th min, the latter coming off a free-kick, left the Bullets with an uphill task in the 2^nd half.

Yet heads did not drop in the Bowen side. They fought tooth and nail and did not know how to lay down, causing 4 Bullets to go down with cramps and injuries at various points of the 2^nd half. Forced into 4 substitutions, the Bullets conceded another 2 goals which almost certainly ended their dream of progressing into the next stage of the competition. Nearing the end, Muhd Arsyad earned a penalty when the Marsiling goalkeeper barged into him in the penalty box, leaving the Bullets forward in a heap. Royzat scored from the penalty to put some respect in the scoreline but it was too little too late.

The loss was a blow to the senior Bullets who had set their target on a top four finish. But they showed resilience and tenacity in the match to keep on fighting under a difficult situation. The next match against Sembawang Secondary would now be an academic exercise but try telling that to the Bullets who will definitely want to bow out of the competition in style.

Man-of-the-Match: Royce Chua. Towering in defence and cut out several dangerous passes from the home team.

Line-up: Izz, Hilman, Royce, Hakim (Shayid), Hanafi (Yi En), Royzat, Shafiq, Azfar (Renyu), Karthik (Arsyad, Kenneth), Ali, Prem (Dinesh)

C Div Bullets cruise to 4-0 win over Christchurch Secondary

7 Feb 2012


The NZ C Div Boys game against Christchurch Sec this afternoon ended almost as soon as it started. The juniors Bullets stamped their authority all over the field, racing to a 4-nil lead within the first half before going down a gear to conserve energy for the tougher challenge against favourite Serangoon Sec this coming Thursday.

Team captain for the day, Muhd Afiq was the lone scorer of all 4 goals, in the absence of strike partner Javier Ho. As early as the 3rd min, Muhd Aizan played a terrific through pass between two Christchurch defenders for Afiq to run on to. The skipper did not disappoint as he guided the ball into the net calmly with just the goalkeeper to beat. Unhappy with the way his team was playing, Christchurch coach made the first substitution to the surprise of his own squad.

However, the manoeuvre hardly helped, as 2 minutes later, a mistimed high boot challenge from a Christchurch defender inside the penalty box hit Bullets midfielder Rafid who immediately crumpled to the ground, clutching his chest. Afiq stepped up to the spot and converted the penalty for a 2-goal lead. He was up to his tricks again in the 20th min, running onto another defence-splitting pass to strike the ball past the goalkeeper. The last goal in the 26th min was assisted by a splendid goal kick from Bullets keeper Muhd Rozaini. The ball flew over almost the entire Christchurch team into the path of Afiq who again won the 1-on-1 face-off with the Christchurch goalkeeper.

With the 3 points safely in the pocket, Bullets Coach gave debuts to Damien Se, Samuel Pang, Juwadi and reserve keeper Sufi in the 2nd half. Right midfielder Riley Gomes also made an appearance, taking over from Aloysius Lee. Yet, the Bullets were able to set up camp in Christchurch’s half, tormenting the opponent’s defence time and again. The numerous chances were however, wasted by poor finishing and Christchurch’s good fortune.

The match was, on hindsight, a good warm up for the Bullets who already have one eye on their top-of-the-table clash with Serangoon Sec 2 days later. But this time, it will not be a piece of cake.

Man-of-the-Match: Muhd Afiq, for showing enormous appetite in the attacking third to score all the goals.

Line-up: Rozaini (Sufi), Adrian (Damien), Saiful, Akmal, Sureen, Hazim (Samuel), Rafid, Aizan, Aloysius (Riley), Danial (Juwadi), Afiq

B Boys bite the bullet of controversial refereeing decision in first loss

6 Feb 2012

 Serangoon Sec 3 - Bowen Sec 0

It was a game the senior Bullets had to win to ensure passage into the quarter-finals of the North Zone B Div Boys Football Tournament, but a harsh sending-off by the man in black has thrown a spanner into the Bullets’ plans. Against Serangoon Sec this afternoon, the Bullets succumbed to a 3-0 loss after Bullets goalkeeper Casimir Ng was sent off in the 28^th minute for an innocuous foul on a Serangoon striker. Being the last line of defence, the referee deemed it a case of preventing a goal scoring opportunity and applied the law of the game to the letter.

 In a tightly contested game, both teams failed to fashion any clear-cut goal scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes. The Bullets put pressure on their opponents but were also pinned back often in their own half. When they managed to get into the attacking third, the final pass was ably cut off by a well-oiled Serangoon defence.  

Serangoon Sec launched numerous long balls into the heart of the Bullets’ defence and in one of these raids came the moment that changed the whole game. A long pass dropped behind sweeper Muhd Shafiq for Casimir to come and collect but the ball was lose for a while and in that moment, a Serangoon striker pounced on the keeper and tripped over the goalkeeper’s body just inside the penalty box. The referee blew the whistle from the centre circle and rushed in to show Casimir a red card. A second punishment was to follow as Serangoon Sec then converted the penalty awarded to them for the alleged foul.

The Bullets might have felt hard done by the controversial decision that will rule first-choice goalkeeper out of the last 2 matches. Yet, they continued to work hard to get back into the game after midfielder Tan Renyu was replaced by stand-in keeper Muhd Hilman. It was however, never going to be easy. In the 36^th minute, a botched clearance by Muhd Shafiq richocheted into the penalty box, inviting a Serangoon striker to tap the ball into an empty net.

The Bullets continued to press on in the second half, hoping for a comeback but a mix-up in defence from another failed clearance saw the ball trickled beyond Hilman, and into the net. 3-nil down with 10 minutes to go, it was going to be an uphill task. Forward Karthik and Dinesh, right-back Muhd Hakim came on to inject much needed urgency but were in vain.

The loss was a bitter pill to swallow especially when the Bullets were convinced that they could manage a win with 11 vs. 11 on the field. To add insult to injury, right fullback Muhd Akhsan suffered a sprained ankle late in the game and Muhd Azfar collected a yellow card. The Bullets will now have to throw caution to the wind in their next match against Group C favourite Marsiling Sec this Thursday or their dream of achieving a top-4 position in the competition will go up in smoke.

Man-of-the-Match: Muhd Azfar for exhibiting the type of fighting spirit worthy of a team leader. Even when the chips are down, he continued to chase and challenge for every ball.

Line-up: Casimir (sent-off, 28^th min), Shafiq, Royce, Hanafi, Akhsan (Hakim), Ali, Royzat, Renyu (Hilman), Azfar, Prem (Dinesh), Arsyad (Karthik)

Bowen Bullets seal comeback win

1 Feb 2012

Canberra Secondary 2 - Bowen Secondary 3

The Senior Bullets came thundering back from two-down halfway through the 1^st half to record a pulsating 3-2 victory over Canberra Secondary School in a preliminary round match of the North Zone Inter-Schools B Div Boys Tournament, with captain Muhd Ali netting a sensational hat-trick.

In the first 10 minutes, Canberra played direct, with no. 20 midfield man spraying penetrative passes into the Bowen penalty box. Coupled with the Bullets’ inability to settle down early, Canberra punished them with a quick goal in the 7^th minute. A cross from the left was not cleared and a Canberra striker hit the target from close range. The Bullets conceded another goal in the 19^th min, this time from a cross-field shot from the right. Goalkeeper Casimir did well to block the shot but only pushed the ball to a grateful Canberra striker who did not waste the chance to double the lead.

Royzat about to launch another free kick

The shock of conceding 2 early goals roused the Bullets into action. From a free kick just outside the penalty box, skipper Muhd Ali curled an inch-perfect shot into the top left-hand corner, catching the goalkeeper out of position. The goal gave the Bullets a lifeline and finally settled the Bullets’ nerves. Canberra came roaring back but were caught out again from another set-piece in the 27^th min. A corner was swung into the far post by Royzat and Ali was at the right place to nod the ball into goal off the goalpost.

In the second half, the real Bullets finally turned up. The whole team worked hard to close out the space from which Canberra launched their attacks, frequently winning possession in the middle of the park. With the game still deadlocked at 2 goals apiece after 70 minutes, the game was there to be won. Substitute striker Karthik came close when he won the ball in the penalty area. Forcing his way to the byeline, he chose to shoot into the arms of the Canberra goalkeeper, rather than cut the ball back into the danger area.

Muhd Ali scoring the last-minute winning goal from a free-kick

The turnaround was complete 1 minute from the final whistle when Muhd Ali scored - again from a free kick- after Muhd Azfar was clumsily brought down just outside the penalty box. The Bullets skipper kept his cool from the tantalizing free kick position to again curl the ball round the wall and away from the Canberra goalkeeper. The Bullets bench erupted with joy and had a little trouble getting the players back on the pitch.

The Bullets showed a healthy fighting spirit to produce the sort of comeback that could inject much needed confidence to calm a nervy start to the season. However, they could definitely do without the type of early match anxiety that nearly cost them the match today.

Man-of-the-Match: Muhd Ali for scoring his first hat-trick which made all the difference in a match hanging in the balance for most of the 2nd half.

Line-up:
Casimir, Hanafi, Shafiq, Royce, Akhsan, Royzat, Renyu (Shayid, Hakim), Azfar, Ali, Prem, Arsyad (Kartik)