Senior Bullets cruise into the Final after 3-1 victory over Sembawang

29th March 2016

The B Div Boys from Bowen secured a final meeting with Singapore Sports School next Tuesday when they shot down Sembawang Secondary School 3-1 in the semi-final match held at the Woddlands Stadium this afternoon.

Bullets Starting Line-up

Bullets Harith Aniq, Aizal Murhamdani and Muhd Rasydan scored the goals that mattered against a jittery Sembawang team running low in inspiration.

Just 2 minutes into the first half, Bullets striker David Sanjay was brought down in the Sembawang half and referee awarded Bowen a free kick. Centre back Harith Aniq swept the ball over the Sembawang wall and into an empty net for Bowen's first goal.

Bullets Muhd Rasydan throwing the ball to Brendan

In the 10th minute, the Bullets found more joy with a similarly taken free kick almost at the exact same spot from which the first goal was converted. This time, Aniq's free kick took a heavy deflection off the Sembawang wall and up into the opponents' penalty box. When the ball landed, David was first to the ball, managing to just knock the ball across goal for a grateful Aizal to tap in the second goal.

Bullets Shakir getting to the ball first

In the 20th minute, Sembawang found their way back into the game after taking advantage of slack marking by the Bullets while defending a corner. A Sembawang player was gifted a free header that flashed past Bowen keeper Desmond Ong and nestled into the far right hand corner of the goal.

Bullets huddle for a group cheer before the matc

With the score at 2-1 in favour of Bowen, rain poured and the match was abandoned in the 23rd minute.

Bullet Aizal (with ball) looking to release the ball under pressure

There was only one more goal scored when the match resumed. A freekick taken by left midfielder Muhd Rasydan took a deflection off the wall and flashed beyond the reach the Sembawang keeper who was wrong-footed.

The Bowen Bullets will now challenge favourites Singapore Sports School on Tuesday 5th April 2016 at the Clementi Stadium for a chance to lift the NZ Inter-Schools Championship.

Junior Bullets bow out after 2-4 defeat to Sembawang

24th March 2016


The Bowen C Div Boys exit the NZ Inter-Schools Football Competition this afternoon after falling to their second defeat of the tournament against Sembawang Secondary who cruised to a 4-2 win.

Bullets Staring Line-up (Without Elhan)

It was an awkward situation to be in as the Bullets' chances were tied to the favourable result of an earlier match between Greendale Secondary and Woodgrove Secondary. A draw or a win for Greendale would have given the impetus for the Bullets to continue fighting. Alas, Woodgrove scored a late winner and Bowen was ousted, no matter how they do against Sembawang.

Sembawang opened accounts as early as the 2nd minute when their attacking midfielder no. 7 shot from outside the penalty box. The ball sailed over Bowen keeper Emmanuel and nestled comfortably in the net.

Bullets midfielder Muhd Zulhilmi preparing for an aerial duel

Sembawang was threatening to score again every time they attack but the Bullets equalised against the run of play in the 6th minute when Bullets centre-back Shah Sharizan sneaked into the Sembawang's penalty box to nod a Muhd Fareez corner just inside the far post.

Three Bullets (Brandon, Yusri and Zulhilmi) keeping a close watch on Sembawang key player

Bad weather interrupted the match in the 8th minute and the match had to be postponed.

When the match resumed 2 days later, Sembawang took over the reins of the match and steered into a 2-goal lead. In the 12th minute, a harmless freekick was launched toward's Emmaunuel's goal. After taking a heavy deflection, the ball rose higher and sailed over Emmanuel into the goalmouth. 7 minutes later, Sembawang made the match safe after a through ball left the Bowen defence for dead and the Sembawang attacker slot the ball home easily for a 3-1 lead.

Bullets Muhd Yusri trying to gain control of the midfield

In the 2nd half, the Bullets played for pride and reduced the deficit through Muhd Fareez in the 32nd minute. And the Bullets almost equalised again when Fareez sped down the right flank after a neat exchange in midfield. His cross from the byeline was met by Muhd Yusri who bundled the ball out for a goal kick with the goalmouth gaping in front of him.

Bullets Midfielder Matin placing the ball for a freekick

Two minutes later, Sembawang put the icing on the cake by scoring their 4th goal after pouncing onto a miscontrolled ball by Bullets midfielder Muhd Hamizan.

Woodlands razed to the ground by patient Bullets

9th March 2016

The senior Bullets put up a controlled and patient performance to flatten Woodlands Secondary School 2-0 this afternoon at the Woodgrove Secondary School pitch.

Bowen Bullets line up for the match

The pace of the game was strangely subdued almost throughout the match, perhaps due to the fact that both teams have already qualified for the semi-finals of the NZ Inter-Schools B Boys Football Competition.

Bowen Bullets starting line-up

However, Team Bowen showed more ingenuity in attack, creating the better chances in front of goal. In the 11th min, Bullets marksman Muhd Zamani curled in a freekick which was heading for goal but a timely block on the head by a Woodlands defender re-directed the ball away for a corner.

Right midfielder Marcus Wong covering on the right wing

Two minutes later, a lively Brendan Tan forced his way into the Woodlands' penalty box on the left but his hooked shot with the left foot missed the near post by just centimetres.

Just when both teams were settling down to a comfortable pace, Bowen decided to stamp their authority on the pitch in the 37th minute. Bullets Aizal brought a pass from the left under control and directed the ball to Zamani who was tightly marked just outside the penalty box. In one movement, Zamani swerved to the right and then to the left to get away from his marker and placed the ball inside the right-hand post for Bowen's first goal.

Bullets Marcus Wong ready to pounce on any mistake by the Woodlands backline

Bowen's spirits were lifted and in the 39th minute, Bowen midfield dynamo Sharveen attempted a stupendous lob over the Woodlands keeper who pushed the ball onto the crossbar and out of play for a corner.

There was more of the same in the second half as Bowen remained patient and waited for Woodlands to come at them. When Woodlands declined the invitation, the Bullets took over the initiative to increase the score line in the 49th minute. A long ball was on its way into the Woodlands penalty box as Zamani chased it down. The Woodlands custodian decided to come out to challenge for the ball but instead knocked Zamani down on the edge of the box. After a moment of hesitation, match referee decided to blow for a foul by the unfortunate goalkeeper and award Bowen a penalty. Aizal had no problems converting the spot kick.

Bullets striker Zamani attempting to treat a Woodlands player suffering from cramps

Woodlands seemed satisfied to keep the score line down instead of trying to get back into the game. But Team Bowen showed intelligent game management to see out the encounter for a deserved victory and ultimately top their quarter-final group.

STARTING LINE-UP	No.
ONG JIAN HAO DESMOND	1
MOHD SHAKIR B SIRAJUDEN  off 78’	2
HARITH ANIQ B AZMAN	3
BENNY TAN TENG SOON	4
ITHAR NUR IQMAL B ABDUL WAHAB  off 57’	13
JOSIAH PHUA YONG QI	6
R SHARVEEN RAM	11
MUHD ZAMANI B MD ZAMRI  goal 11’, off 75’	8
AIZAL MURHAMDANI B AHMAD   goal 49’	9
BRENDAN TAN LEON KEAT  off 32’	15
MARCUS WONG JIAN YUAN	14
SUBSTITUTES
MUHD TAHALIF B ABDULLAL J	5
MUHAMMAD RASYDAN B ARIFFIN  in 32’	7
MUHAMMAD IRFAN B MAZLAN	10
ONG JUN YONG TERENCE  in 78’	16
ITHAR NUR IRFAN B ABDUKL WAHA  in 57’	17
DAVID SANJAY SINGH SAMBHI  in 75’	18
TANG GUAN YU	19
KEITH WONG JIA FENG	20

Team Bowen qualifies for semi-finals with emphatic win over Marsiling

7th March 2016

The B Boys from Bowen Secondary survived an early scare this afternoon at the Woodgrove Secondary pitch to thrash Marsiling Secondary School 5-1 and secure a semi-final place in the NZ Inter-Schools Football Competition.

Team Bowen Starting line-up

The Bowen Bullets started the match too slowly and allowed Marsiling to dictate the pace of the game. The defenders were stiff and frequently unsure of their responsibilities as Marsiling broke the deadlock in the 13th minute. Marsiling found space in midfield and slotted the ball behind the Bowen backline for its left winger who was suspiciously offside to latch on the to ball and place a shot beyond the reach of Bowen keeper Desmond Ong.

Bullets Josiah and team mate Sharveen (no.11) keeping an eye on the midfield

The goal woke Bowen from its slumber and the Bullets gradually found its way into the game. Two minutes before the interval, Bowen playmaker, Aizal beat the offside trap and arrived late behind the Marsiling back four to nod the ball over the keeper for a much anticipated equaliser.

Bowen left back Shakir throw the ball for team mate Muhd Rasydan

After a 25-minute interval due to a lightning warning, Bowen sprang into action for the second half, scoring two goals within the space of 2 minutes. Substitute Muhd Rasydan brought the ball down the line and crossed for an unmarked Zamani to tap in the ball for Bowen to take the lead at 2-1.

Bullets centre-back H.Aniq preparing to jump for the ball

Almost immediately after the kick-off in the 50th minute, Hisam's diagonal long pass from the right found Aizal in the penalty box. The Bowen top-scorer beat the goalkeeper before placing the ball into the empty goalmouth, much to the dismay of the Marsiling players.

Bowen playmaker Aizal (extreme left) pouncing onto a loose ball

With Marsiling's spirits severely dented, the Bullets went in for the kill. In the 70th minute, a Bowen corner was cleared out onto the path of Bowen skipper Benny Tan who made an incisive pass forward to team mate Josiah. The irrepressible midfielder bulldozed his way into the penalty box, emerging from a series of tackles to score from close range and make it 4-1.

Bullets striker Muhd Zamani launching the ball into Marsiling's box

Josiah had the last say in the 79th minute as Marsiling could not wait for the final whistle to go. He collected a short pass from Hisam just inside the penalty box, turned into space and rifled the ball past the keeper for Bowen's fifth goal.

Junior Bullets held to a 3-3 draw by a hungry Greendale side

3rd March 2015

The Bowen C Div boys team was the victim of an upset result for a second time in the 2nd round of the NZ Inter-Schools Competition this afternoon at Sembawang Secondary School. Unfancied Greendale Secondary School showed how useful team spirit and hunger could be as weapons to win football matches by bravely holding the Bowen Bullets to a 3-3 draw.

Pre-match handshakes 

In fact, Bowen was staring at a straight exit from the tournament until a late penalty goal kept their top 4 hopes alive. Greendale raced to 2-goal lead by halftime, allowed Bowen to come back to 2-2 and then went 3-2 up with 8 minutes left to play before Bowen snatched a last minute penalty goal.

Bullets starting line-up

Bowen gifted Greendale their first goal in the 15th minute when off a corner from the right, Greendale whipped the ball straight into Bullets left back Muhd Taufiq whose swing at the ball to clear, sliced the ball into his own goal instead.

Bowen came back to almost equalise two minutes later when Bullets midfielder Matin Uzair's glancing header off a corner kick whizzed across the goalmouth and out of play.

Three minutes from the end of the first half, Greendale doubled their advantage after the Bowen defence failed to close down Greendale's striker advancing into the penalty box from the right hand side. With too much space to play with, the striker swiped the ball inside the near post which was fatally unguarded by Bowen goalkeeper Emmanuel Doo.

Bullets Fareez twisting away from an opponent

However, the Bullets showed they had the appetite for a fight, coming out strongly after the break. They reduced the deficit in the very first minute of the 2nd half when Bullets skipper Muhd Yusri's whipped corner kick from the left sailed beyond the reach of Greendale's goalkeeper into goal.

Bullets Muhd Asyraaf (left) attempting a pass to team mate Muhd Yusri

Greendale did not learn from their mistake when another Bowen corner taken by Bullets right back Elhan Akmal from the right was punched by the Greendale goalkeeper into his own net in the 43rd minute. With the score at 2-2, it was anybody's game.

The momentum swung toward Greendale again when another lapse of concentration in the 52nd minute allowed Greendale to score their third goal. Again, Bowen failed to close down their opponent on the left and the incoming cross was meekly pushed away by Emmanuel only for an advancing Greendale attacker to tap the ball back towards goal. Another attacker arrived late to put the final touch to the ball for Greendale's potential winner.

Bullets goalkeeper Emmanuel Doo executing a drop kick

Bowen poured forward in the final five minutes of the game and their opponents finally succumbed to the pressure in the final minute when a goalmouth scramble for the ball resulted in a goal-bound shot by Yusri being palmed away by the Greendale right back on the line. The referee blew for a penalty in favour of the Bullets and showed the defender the red card for intentionally handling the ball. It was to be the last kick of the game and Yusri showed calm in converting the spot kick to complete a Bowen fightback.

Bullets doing a man-marking job to defend a corner kick

Bowen Starting Line-Up	Jersey No.
EMMANUEL DOO	1
MUHAMMAD TAUFIQ JUMAAT	2
RAEIS B MOHAMAD NOOR AZRIN	3
SHAH SHARIZAN B JUMASLAN	4
ELHAN AKMAL B SAHRIL    goal 43’	5
MUHAMAD HAMIZAN B KARYAT	13
MATIN UZAIR B MOHAMAD NAZRIN	6
MUHAMMAD FAREEZ B JAMALUDDIN	7
MUHAMMAD ZULHILMI B RAMLEE	8
MOHAMMAD ASYRAAF B MOHD FAROZ	12
MUHAMMAD YUSRI B SELAMAT    goal 31’, 60’ (pen)	10
Substitutes
VALLAMSETTI NITIN SAI	11
NAVIN KUMARAN S/O GUNASEKARAN	14
FARIHIN AIMAN B ZAINON RAHMAN	16
MUHAMMAD AQIL RUSYAIDI B RIZAN	15
MUHAMMAD ARIFFIN B SAHDAN	17
NOORSHAM SHAH B AZLAM SHAH	18
LOO KOEI	19
KARTHIKEYA S/O PAKRY SAMY	20

Junior Bullets left to rue missed chances after narrow defeat by Woodgrove

1st March 2016

The C Boys Bullets could not repeat their senior's feat of overcoming Woodgrove this afternoon at Sembawang Secondary School. Having dominated possession and creating the majority of the chances, two crucial defensive lapses allowed Woodgrove to beat the Bullets 2-1 and gain a small measure of revenge.

Bullets striker Muhd Yusri beaten to the ball in the air by the Woodgrove goalkeeper

Just a day before, the B Div Bullets despatched Woodgrove 4-1 in the same stage of the NZ Inter-School Competition. Hoping to gain double joy for the school, the junior Bullets played without the handbrake on in the first half of the match. Bullets midfielder Matin Uzair was superb in winning the midfield battle while centre-back Shah Sharizan was calm and collected at the back.

Bullets goalkeeper Muhd Taufiq arriving too late to stop Woodgrove's first goal 

However, in the 9th minute when a free kick by Woodgrove from their own half bypassed the Bowen midfield and landed behind the defence, the entire Bowen back line was caught square, allowing a Woodgrove striker to get to the ball and direct it towards the goalmouth. In disarray, the Bowen defenders and goalkeeper Muhd Taufiq could not react in time and allowed the ball to trickle into the goalmouth.

Bullets' midfield enforcer Matin Uzair winning the ball

The Bullets continued to press on for the equaliser and succeeded in doing so three minutes before halftime. A left-footed free kick was curled high and inch-perfect towards the Woodgrove goal by Shah and the ball swerved over the extended arms of the Woodgrove keeper into an empty net.

Free kick by Shah beating the Woodgrove goalkeeper for Bowen's equaliser

It was all even at half time and Bowen looked the likelier team to score as they came close on numerous occasions in the first half during which they could have been up by 2 or 3 goals. But 5 minutes into the 2nd half, the Bullets lost their concentration again. A harmless throw-in from the left near the corner flag reached an unmarked Woodgrove player in the penalty box and he was left with time and space to turn the ball into the netting of Bowen's goal.

Bullets midfielder Muhd Fareez driving down the right wing 

Bullets Brandon Chua tussling for the bll

The Bullets had 25 minutes to save the match but the ball just would not go in. Striker Muhd Yusri came the closest in the 41st minute, heading the ball from a Shah free kick towards goal but the ball grazed the top of the crossbar and out of play.

Bowen Bullets starting line-up

Bowen Starting Line-Up	Jersey No.
MUHAMMAD TAUFIQ JUMAAT	2
RAEIS B MOHAMAD NOOR AZRIN	3
SHAH SHARIZAN B JUMASLAN   goal 26’	4
ELHAN AKMAL B SAHRIL	5
MUHAMAD HAMIZAN B KARYAT   off 42’’	13
MATIN UZAIR B MOHAMAD NAZRIN	6
MUHAMMAD FAREEZ B JAMALUDDIN	7
MUHAMMAD ZULHILMI B RAMLEE	8
BRANDON CHUA MING SEN	9
MUHAMMAD YUSRI B SELAMAT	10
MOHAMMAD ASYRAAF B MOHD FAROZ	12
Substitutes
VALLAMSETTI NITIN SAI   in 42’	11
NAVIN KUMARAN S/O GUNASEKARAN	14
FARIHIN AIMAN B ZAINON RAHMAN	16
MUHAMMAD AQIL RUSYAIDI B RIZAN	15
MUHAMMAD ARIFFIN B SAHDAN	17
NOORSHAM SHAH B AZLAM SHAH	18
LOO KOEI	19
KARTHIKEYA S/O PAKRY SAMY	20