Penalty shootout drama ends in disappointment for valiant Bullets

2nd April 2015

Bowen Bullets - The 2015 NZ Inter-School C Div Boys Runner-Up

The Singapore Sports School (SSP) held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Republic Polytechnic field this afternoon to win the NZ Inter-Schools C Division Boys Football title. But the plaudits should deservedly go to the hungrier Bowen Bullets who surprised their more well-known opponents with their determined and diligent brand of football.

Bullets midfielder Ithar Nur Irfan, dribbling away from his opponent

In fact, the boys from Bowen created more chances and looked the likelier team to be crowned champions in a close match which ended 0-0 after normal time. 10 minutes of extra time was unable to separate the two teams and eventually, SSP triumph when Bullets Muhd Tahalif and Mohd Shakir failed to convert their spot kicks.

Bullets Muhd Shafiq getting the ball under his spell

Bullets goalkeeper Desmond Ong diving to make a save

As early as the 2nd minute, Bullets captain Muhd Zamani made his team's intentions known after he sent a free kick narrowly wide from just outside the penalty box. SSP returned the punch when Bullets defender Tang Guan Yu caused confusion in his defence by heading the ball backwards and SSP frontman Marc Ryan Tan (no.10) pounced on the ball to hit a looping shot that bounced off the Bullets' post.

Muhd Tahalif taking his spot kick

The Bullets pressed their opponents high on the pitch, which caused problems to SSP's attempts at playing the ball up with short passes. On numerous occasions, the Bullets were able to wrestle the ball away near SSP's penalty area to cause panic for SSP defenders. In the 19th min, Zamani managed to latch on to a stray pass just outside SSP's penalty box but his shot grazed the ground and went wide.

Bullets captain tussling for the ball 

Bullets Head Coach Lim Queen Cher giving the half-time talk

The Bullets had their best chance of the game in the 25th min when Zamani was put through on goal but chose to cut back onto his left foot as a retreating defender tried to block his path. The chance was consequently lost when his weak shot was blocked by the same defender.

Tang Guan Yu dragging the ball away from his marker

Jeremy Chin launching an attack

SSP continued to persist with their pass-and-move game after the restart to little effect as their moves were perpetually broken down in midfield by the watchful Bullets. SSP's best chance came in the 46th min when an SSP attacker was put clean through on goal but his goal-bound shot was diverted away in the nick of time by Bullets left-back Mohd Shakir who ran back across goal to make his presence felt.

Mohd Shakir keeping a close eye on his opponent

Two minutes later, a chance materialised on the other end for Bowen. From a corner kick by Zamani, Bullets defender Muhd Tahalif ghosted into the penalty box to nod the ball just inches away from the right goalpost.

R Sharveen taking his spot kick

Midfielder Muhd Fareez continued the Bullets' good spell in the 50th minute as he stormed down the left flank with the ball but was chopped down from the back by an SSP defender who received a yellow card for his effort. From the reuslting free kick, Zamani fired a rising rocket which eluded the SSP goalkeeper but skimmed off the crossbar.

Muhd Aniq receiving the ball away from his opponent

Both teams continued to battle tooth and nail deep into extra time but the scoresheet remained blank after more than one hour of pulsating football. It was a pity that the match had to be decided by a Russian Roulette of 5 penalty kicks for each side and as it turned out, SSP won 4-2, with the last kick of the match. The Bullets could not hide their disappointment, slumping to the ground as the SSP boys celebrated their victory.

Muhd Fareez shielding the ball from his opponent

Singapore Sports School	0 – 0 (4-2 after penalty kicks)	Bowen
Goals Scored (Bowen only)
Penalty Shootout: Muhd Zamani - goal Muhd Tahalif – miss R Sharveen –goal Mohd Shakir - miss
Substitutions
Muhd Yusri for Muhd Aniq 40’ Azimmie Raihan for Muhd Shafiq  50’ Brandon Chua for Ithar Nur Irfan 63’

The Bowen Bullets appreciating the efforts of their supporters

Bullets Substitute Brandon Chua chasing his opponent

Azimmie keeping a tight leash on his opponent

Bowen Starting Line-Up	Jersey No.
ONG JIAN HAO DESMOND	1
MUHD ANIQ AKMAL B HASSAN	2
MUHD SHAFIQ SHAZWANDY	3
TANG GUAN YU	4
MUHD TAHALIF B ABDULLAL J	5
MOHD SHAKIR B SIRAJUDEN	6
R SHARVEEN RAM	7
MUHD ZAMANI B MD ZAMRI	8
JEREMY CHIN YU JUN	9
ITHAR NUR IRFAN B ABDUKL WAHA	11
MUHD FAREEZ BIN JAMALUDDIN	15
Substitutes	Jersey No.
HARITH ANIQ B AZMAN	10
AZIMMIE RAIHAN B AZIZ	12
MUHD AZHAR B EDAY JUNAIDY	13
BRANDON CHUA MING SEN	14
MUHAMMAD YUSRI B SELAMAT	16
NOOR RIFAT	17
ELHAN AKMAL B SAHRIL	18
MUHAMMA ZULHIMI B RAMLEE	19
EMMANUEL DOO ZHENG CI	20