Junior Bullets fall to freak goal in injury time

4th February 2014

Last check by the referee before the match

The Bullets starting line-up

It was a match from which the C Div boys from Bowen Secondary could have earned at least a point. However, this afternoon at Greendale Secondary School field, an unexplainable twist of fate saw the Bowen Bullets concede an injury time goal to lose 1-2 to the tournament favourites, Singapore Sports School (SSP).

With a team filled with handpicked talent nationwide, SSP were expected to steamroll past opponents in the inter-school competitions but pitted against Bowen Secondary School, they knew they had to put in extra effort to get their victory, given past encounters which had ended in single-goal margins.

Bullets Brandon Tan going after the ball

On a bumpy natural turf, SSP had a few problems playing their passing game but they still dominated possession, restricting the Bullets to rare forays into their penalty box. SSP striker found himself free on the left in the 26th min and lobbed the ball over Bullets custodian Desmond Ong to take a slim lead into the second half.

The intense battle in the middle of the park

The Bowen boys defended tightly and kept their shape well after the restart. Although SSP launched countless attacks in search of a second goal, they were not able to score with weak shots that either rebounded off defenders or missed the targets. Bullets midfielder Muhd Irfan even had to make 2 consecutive goal line clearances in the 48th min, first with his foot and the second with his head.

Three minutes from the end, the Bullets were rewarded for their tenacity and hard work when right back Harith Aniq picked up a loose ball just inside the halfway line, went past his marker and floated the ball magnificently over the SSP goalkeeper for a well-deserved equaliser.

Bullet centre-back Muhd Dzulfadhl keeping a tight leash on the opponent

The match was heading for a stalemate when SSP earned a corner on the right in the dying seconds of the match. Then, the outswinging corner kick sailed beyond the outreached hands of the Bullets goalkeeper and dropped mysteriously inside the Bowen goalmouth for SSP's winner.

As cruel as fate could be, Bullets coach Mr Lim Queen Cher was more than satisfied that the Bullets showed fighting spirit to get back from a goal down to their more heralded opponents. If the Bullets can maintain such performances, they will go far in the tournament.

Singapore Sports School	2 – 1		Bowen
Goals Scored (Bowen only)
		Harith Aniq 27’
Yellow Cards (Bowen only)
Muhd Zamani 52’