Bowen Bullets feel Final heartache for 2nd year running

13th April 2016

The B Div Boys from Bowen Secondary School failed to capture the school's first ever NZ Boys football title this afternoon after they were defeated 1-4 by the Singapore Sports School (SSP) at SAFRA Tampines pitch.

Bowen Bullets Starting Line-up

The Bullets were outclassed but not outrun by a superior Sports School team. Both teams were wary of each other's strengths. While SSP changed their personnel in an attempt to nullify Bowen's strength in attack, Bowen adjusted their team formation and tactics to deal with the short passing game of SSP.

SSP bossing the midfield area

Although SSP had the bulk of ball possession, not much was made out of it. The ball was sprayed cautiously from side to side, much like 10 'John Obi Mikels' playing on the field. The Bullets were contend to keep their shape and wait to pounce on their opponents' mistakes by springing counter-attacks through the 'JAZ' triangle of Zamani, Aizal and Josiah.

Bullets Mohd Shakir heading an SSP corner kick out of danger

However, before the tactic was able to bear fruit, a defensive lapse in the 10th minute allowed SSP right winger to receive the ball unattended. His crisp shot flashed across Bowen keeper Desmond Ong and nestled comfortably inside the far post for SSP's first goal.

The Bullets keeping their shape under SSP attack

In the 31st minute, a debatable handball decision was handed out cruelly to Bowen skipper Benny Tan after he was adjudged to have blocked a snap shot from SSP with his arms in the penalty box. SSP made no mistake with the spot kick, although goalkeeper Desmond guessed the right way.

Half-time team talk by Bullets Head Coach Mr Lim Queen Cher

After the interval, the Bullets had to come out of their shell to get back into the game. They began to play the game they were so accustomed to during the previous rounds of the competition. Hard man Josiah Phua was switched back to central midfield to add more bite. In the 52nd minute, he pickpocketed the ball from an SSP player in the centre circle and combined well with Aizal to go free on the right. Just when the ball was thought to have been pushed away from a shooting angle, Josiah's last-ditch shot from just inside the bye line went through the SSP goalkeeper's grasp into goal.

Bullets defender H.Aniq walking away with his medal

It was 'game on' thereafter as the Bullets built on the momentum and began to win their tackles and won the 50-50 balls in midfield.

Then tragedy stuck in the 73rd minute when SSP won a free kick outside the penalty box. The Bullets' wall let the resulting shot sneak through it and Desmond had little chance of preventing a dreaded 3rd goal for SSP.

The Bowen Bullets B Div Boys with their Runners-Up medals

The Bullets were now deflated as a few of them began to experience cramps. One minute later, SSP left winger danced his way past a tired Benny to slot the ball home for SSP's 4th goal and end the Bullets's gallant fight for a first ever championship medal.

Bullets Skipper Benny Tan receiving the Runners-Up trophy

Bowen Starting Line-Up	Jersey No.
ONG JIAN HAO DESMOND	1
MOHD SHAKIR B SIRAJUDEN   off 74’	2
HARITH ANIQ B AZMAN	3
BENNY TAN TENG SOON	4
ITHAR NUR IQMAL B ABDUL WAHAB   off 51’	13
AIZAL MURHAMDANI B AHMAD	9
R SHARVEEN RAM	11
JOSIAH PHUA YONG QI   goal 52’	6
MUHD ZAMANI B MD ZAMRI	8
MUHAMMAD RASYDAN B ARIFFIN    off 40’	7
MUHAMMAD HISAM B ROZIMAN     off 78’	12
Substitutes	Jersey No.
KEITH  WONG JIA FENG	20
MUHD TAHALIF B ABDULLAL J	5
TANG GUAN YU  in 78’	19
ONG JUN YONG TERENCE	16
ITHAR NUR IRFAN B ABDUL WAHAB	17
MARCUS WONG JIAN YUAN   in 74’	14
MUHAMMAD IRFAN B MAZLAN    in 51’	10
BRENDAN TAN LEON KEAT   in 40’	15
DAVID SANJAY SINGH SAMBHI	18