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