Bowen Bullets went down fighting to Sports School

22th March 2018

The C Div Boys from Bowen Secondary suffered their 2nd lost in the NZ Inter-Schools Competition this afternoon at the Sengkang Secondary School Field. The Bullets kept things tight against the competition favourites, Singapore Sports School (SSP) but the effort was not enough to prevent a 0-3 scoreline.

Against a technically more superior outfit, the Bullets kept their attacking instincts in check, inviting their opponents to come at them, while waiting for the opportunity to strike. In the first 15 minutes, the Bullets midfield duo of Aniq Syazani and Ahmad Zikri, worked well to put the shackles on SSP's midfielders while skipper Ethan Koh lead the defence to foil SSP's attempts to penetrate through the middle.

From a free kick outside the penalty box in the 20th min, SSP opened accounts when a flat attempt by the SSP skipper sailed over the wall and straight at Bullets keeper Tang Guan Xi who allowed the ball to slip between his legs and into goal. It was the only talking point of the first half as both teams did not look like scoring otherwise.

There was more of the same in the 2nd half as the Bullets sat back while SSP build up play from their own half. It took another 17 minutes before SSP scored again. This time, the Bullets had themselves to blame. The defence switched off for a moment and that was enough for SSP striker to find himself in acres of space just inside the penalty box to direct a low cross from the left into the Bullets' goal mouth.

In the 53rd minute, SSP settled the proceedings, profitting from another lapse of concentration from the Bullets. The SSP front man was left unmarked during a corner kick and rose highest to nod the ball past Guan Xi again.

The Bullets will now have to avoid losing their postponed match against Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School to qualify for the semi-finals.

GROUP Y		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Total Points
1	SINGAPORE SPORTS SCHOOL	3	3	0	0	12	1	11	9
2	BOWEN SECONDARY SCHOOL	2	1	0	1	5	6	-1	3
3	NORTH VISTA SECONDARY SCHOOL	3	1	0	2	6	8	-2	3
4	AHMAD IBRAHIM SECONDARY SCHOOL	2	0	0	2	0	8	-8	0

Senior Bullets end season with 3-2 win over Kranji Sec

27th March 2017

The Senior Bowen Bullets bow out of the 2017 School Premier League 1 this afternoon at St. Wilfred pitch after beating Kranji Secondary School 3-2 to finish just outside quarter-final qualification. Singapore Sports School and Bendemeer Secondary School advanced to the next stage as the top 2 sides in the group.

Bowen Bullets starting line-up

Bowen enjoyed the majority of ball possession throughout the match as Kranji were happy staying back to soak up the pressure in order to launch counter-attacks when they got the chance.

In the 15th minute, Bullets centre-back Harith Aniq scrambled the ball into the Kranji's goalmouth after a melee developed inside the penalty box. It was not the kind of goal that the Bullets were looking for but it helped to justify the amount of possession that the Bullets were enjoying.

Kranji drew level a minute before the half-time whistle when the Bullets failed to close down their opponent just outside the penalty box, allowing a stray shot to sneak in the near post beyond a stunned Bowen keeper Desmond Ong.

Kranji was expected to show more ambition in the 2nd half but looked visibly subdued as the Bullets' high energy ensured possession statistics remain in the Bullets' favour. Bullets striker Aizal increased his goal tally in the competition by giving Bowen the lead again in the 56th min. Receiving the ball on the right, he cut in to the left just outside the penalty box and swiftly hooked a left-footed shot past the Kranji keeper.

Bowen winger Muhd Zamani also got into the scoring list in the 76th minute. In his usual determined fashion, Zamani stormed powerfully past his marker on the right side and unleashed an unstoppable shot into Kranji's striker-turned-goalkeeper who let the ball slice through his fingers for a 3-1 Bowen advantage.

Kranji were to have the last word in the match when a defensive lapse in the last minute allowed their striker to get behind the Bullet's backline for a rare one-to-one encounter with Desmond Ong. The opportunity was converted to make for a more respectable scoreline.

Bowen Starting Line-Up	Jersey No.
ONG JIAN HAO, DESMOND	1
NOOR RIFAT   out 52’	18
TANG GUAN YU  out 65’	5
MUHAMMAD TAHALIF B ABDULLAL J	6
HARITH ANIQ B AZMAN   goal 15’, out  74’	17
MOHAMED SHAKIR B SIRAJUDEEN	7
R SHARVEEN RAM   out  74’	10
MUHAMMAD ZULHILMI B RAMLEE   out 40’	19
MUHAMMAD ZAMANI B MD ZAMRI goal 76’	8
AIZAL MURHAMDANI B AHMAD  goal 56’	9
MATIN UZAIR B MOHAMAD NAZRIN  out 52’	12
Substitutes
RAEIS B MOHAMAD NOOR AZRIN in 74’	3
MUHAMMAD RASYDAN B ARIFFIN  in 52’	4
MUHAMMAD FAREEZ B JAMALUDDIN	13
KEITH WONG JIA FENG	20
MARK KOH HORNG AN   in 52’	21
MUHAMAD HAMIZAN B KARYAT  in 74’	22
MUHAMMAD YUSRI B SELAMAT  in 40’	14
ELHAN AKMAL B SAHRIL   in 65’	11

SPL ROUND OF 16 GROUP STANDINGS

	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
S’pore Sports School	3	3	0	0	14	1	13	9
Bendemeer	3	2	0	1	12	5	7	6
Bowen	3	1	0	2	4	11	-7	3
Kranji	3	0	0	3	2	15	-13	0

Heavy defeat to Sports School eliminates Bullets from SPL1

6th March

Another defeat to 2016 North Zone Champions, the Singapore Sports School in the School Premier League Round of 16 leaves the Bowen Bullets with the prospect of ending the season without any silverware. SSP were superior in all departments as they thrashed Bowen Sec 5-0 to book a place in the quater-finals.

Bullets Aizal M. pulling the strings in midfield

The Bullets went into the game with a soak and counter strategy which was working well until the 30th minute. The Bowen backline was unable to contain SSP striker from turning in the penalty box and blasting the ball into the back of the net.

Bullets defend a corner with Mohd Shakir and skipper Muhd Tahalif standing guard

The goal deflated the Bullets and they were looking forward to the end of the first half to re-group. But SSP gave their opponents more to think about, scoring a few seconds before the whistle. An SSP cross from the left escaped everyone and found its way to the right side of the penalty box where SSP right winger was left unattended to tap in the second goal.

Bullets central midfielder Sharveen looking to intercept a pass

The same story evolved in the 2nd half. The Bullets tried to be more adventurous but were limited to the one-off high ball to their striker Muhd Zamani who was well-marshalled by the SSP centre backs. In the 61st minute, SSP broke the Bullets' defence again. This time, a cross from the right was tapped in from close range after Bullets keeper Desmond Ong had committed himself to block the initial cross.

Bullets righer winger Muhd Fareez failing to get the better of his marker as the ball is cleared

There was no coming back from 3 goals down and the Bullets went on to concede in the 63rd minute (stiff grounder from the left) and 74th minute (chipped shot over Desmond).

Muhd Tahalif (No.6) and Muhd Zamani getting ready to execute a set-piece

Bowen Starting Line-Up	Jersey No.
ONG JIAN HAO, DESMOND	1
NOOR RIFAT   out 40’	18
SHAH SHARIZAN B JUMASLAN  out 48’	2
MUHAMMAD TAHALIF B ABDULLAL J	6
HARITH ANIQ B AZMAN	17
MOHAMED SHAKIR B SIRAJUDEEN	7
R SHARVEEN RAM	10
MUHAMMAD RASYDAN B ARIFFIN	4
MUHAMMAD FAREEZ B JAMALUDDIN  out 40’	13
MUHAMMAD ZAMANI B MD ZAMRI	8
AIZAL MURHAMDANI B AHMAD	9
Substitutes
RAEIS B MOHAMAD NOOR AZRIN	3
TANG GUAN YU  in 40’	5
MATIN UZAIR B MOHAMAD NAZRIN  in 40’	12
MUHAMMAD ZULHILMI B RAMLEE	19
KEITH WONG JIA FENG	20
MARK KOH HORNG AN	21
MUHAMAD HAMIZAN B KARYAT	22
MUHAMMAD YUSRI B SELAMAT  in 48’	14
ELHAN AKMAL B SAHRIL	11

Bullets Mohd Shakir taking time to tie his laces

SPL ROUND OF 16 GROUP STANDINGS

	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
S’pore Sports School	2	2	0	0	10	0	10	6
Bendemeer	1	1	0	0	4	1	3	3
Bowen	2	0	0	2	1	9	-8	0
Kranji	1	0	0	1	0	5	-5	0

Bullets right-back Rifat taking a breather

Bullets goalkeeper Desmond Ong sending a goal kick into opponents' half