Singapore Football Club fell just short of securing their first league title, on Thursday evening, after failing to secure maximum points against Spanish World FC.
Going into the game SFC knew that only a win would deny the defending champions, from securing back to back titles. As it was, SFC arrived without any of the required intensity, for such an important game, and couldn’t have envisaged a worse start. The Sashmen were slow in getting to grips with the pace of the game and fell a goal behind after ten minutes when they failed to clear their lines. 1-0 Spanish World.
Eventually, SFC turned the corner and finally found some rhythm to press their opponent’s goal. That man again, Tim Walter, bringing the scores level as he scored from close range, from an SFC corner. 1-1.
Unfortunately for SFC, some sloppy passing continued to run through the team, and the Spanish needed no second invitation after a loose pass released their striker. This time a powerful strike from just inside the penalty area left Kelly Williams no chance. 2-1 Spanish World.
Falling behind appeared to rally Ross Macklin’s team, however, and the introduction of Nick Marsh immediately saw some much-needed battling spirit. A galvanized SFC finally found some cohesion, and not to be outdone Tim Walter again leveled the scores. Another well-delivered corner was neatly tucked away by the Swiss maestro, in near-identical fashion to his first. 2-2, and that was how the scoreline remained going into the break.
The second half was a very different affair. Spanish World knowing that a draw would suffice, appeared comfortable to invite SFC on now. This was magnified after their star player left early, although as most spectators would agree he’d been fortunate not to receive a straight red, earlier in the first half, for a raised hand.
Irrespective, the result was that 80% of the game was now played in the Iberian half and SFC pushed forward with even greater numbers. Anthony Garreau orchestrating the lion’s share of the opportunities from midfield, ably supported by Robert Eziakor.
Despite the superior possession SFC still couldn’t find a way through. Their opponents clung on and the Spanish keeper was in inspired form; saving a slew of efforts from Mike Hemmingway, Nick Marsh, and Anthony Garreau.
On another night the scoreline may have been very different, but it was not to be for SFC. Instead, as the referee blew his whistle Spanish World secured their much-needed point and in turn their second title,
Congratulations to Spanish World for a very well run campaign. and for winning back to back titles. A great achievement.