Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2011
NFA Singapore U-16 take silver after going down 4-3 to Flamengo in a penalty shootout
SINGAPORE, 27 June 2011: The Singapore NFA U-16 had to settle for the runners-up medal after losing to CR Flamengo U-15 3-4 in a penalty shootout at Jalan Besar Stadium.
Before the main event, the 3rd/4th placing match between the NFA Singapore U-15 team and Juventus FC U-15 provided the perfect curtain-raiser for what would be an exciting night of football action.
While their seniors went agonisingly close to lifting the trophy, the NFA Singapore U-15 team convincingly beat Juventus FC U-15 4-0 to claim the third place of the 2011 Canon Lion City Cup at Jalan Besar Stadium.
The NFA Singapore team were looking to make things right after their semi-final loss and they did just that in the 27th minute when No.9, Irfan Iezran scored to give the Cubs a well deserved lead. Both teams came close to scoring in the first half but the score line remained 1-0 to the Cubs for the first half.
The second-half saw the teams pick up where they left off. Juventus had their No.7, Gili Fabio sent off in the 52nd minute. The NFA Singapore U-15 side looked to capitalise on their extra man on the field and created more chances to extend their lead. Azhar Ramli scored the second goal of the night with a brilliant strike outside of the penalty box. The Cubs did not stop there and went on to score the third goal in the 68th minute through Captain Adam Swandi. A late penalty converted by Azhar Ramli sealed the win for the Cubs in a match that they totally dominated.
“These players are the best in the world for me and the coaching staff. They achieved all the objectives and were exposed to different styles of play, players, refereeing. You must also know that the NFA Singapore U-15 team is the smallest and youngest team in the tournament.” said NFA Singapore U-15 coach, Dejan Gulscevic at the post-match press conference.
With the third placing match done and dusted, the stage was set for the big game between the NFA U-16s and the Flamengo U-15 side.
With both teams looking to hoist the coveted trophy, the match got off to an attacking start. The NFA Singapore U-16 side had the first real chance of the game when striker Hazim Hassan broke away from his defenders, only to direct his shot straight at the CR Flamengo U-15’s goalkeeper Thiago Rodrigues.
NFA Singapore U-16 team’s goalkeeper Fashah Rosedin kept his team in contention by keeping out every strike that tested him. The first half ended in a 0-0 draw with both teams unable to break the deadlock.
All 22 players came back on for the second-half determined to get their hands on the Canon Lion City Cup. Fashah Rosedin proved himself time and time again as the Brazilians surged forward in numbers to get ahead. With the Cubs and the Brazilians unable to break down each other’s defensive wall. The champion had to be decided by a penalty shootout.
The dreaded penalties ended NFA Singapore U-16 3-4 CR Flamengo U-15 and the Brazillians were crowned Champions of the 23rd Canon Lion City Cup.
Major-General Chan Chun Sing, Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports as well as Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts shared his thoughts on last night’s matches and also the tournament with the media before the post match press conference. “I am very proud of both teams. We have a pipeline of very good young players now and I am very confident of them and look forward to continue to move on to the next stage.”
“Seeing how FAS has systematically built a system to groom the young players, I would like to congratulate them on the wonderful job they have done all these years behind the scene. They have been ploughing away without much reconigition.” He added.
“The team managed to get good experience from this tournament and they played well. We missed a few chances but we kept working” said NFA Singapore U-16 Coach Takuma Koga despite the defeat.
NFA Singapore U-16 captain, Dhukhilan said “We were disappointed at first but when we thought about it afterwards, we realised how proud we were of each other because CR Flamengo is a world class team and we were able to hold our own against them”
CR Flamengo U-15’s coach, Celso Martins said “We tried to win it during normal time but were unable to beat a good Singapore team. Both teams missed clear chances but we also played good football. I must say that Singapore football is growing in the right direction.”
CR Flamengo’s goalkeeper Thiago Rodrigues was quick to add that it was the first time he has been involved in a penalty shootout, “We always win games during normal time and this was my first time being tested in a penalty shootout. I was confident of myself and also my team mates.”
NFA Singapore U-16 Starting Line-up: Fashah Rosedin, Ammirul Mazlan (Iskandar Khairul Anuar 74), Brandon Koh, Hanafi Akbar, Jonathan Tan, Hazim Hassan, Illyas Lee, Bryan Neubronner, Dhukhilan(c) (Azrin Hamdan 81), Muhaimin Suhaimi, Fatemy Firdouse
CR Flamengo U-15 Starting Line-up: Thiago Rodrigues, Ian Evans, Lincoln Fernando (c), Mathues Carvalho, Caio Thimoteo, Jorge Marco, Leonardo Poubel, Arlindo Neto, Caio Rangel, Leandro Carvalho (Andrey Lemos 90), Pedro Fernandes
No comments:
Post a Comment