Sengkang Punggol and Police Sports Association also made it through their quarterfinal matches with identical 1-0 wins over Arion Women’s ‘A’ and Sporting Westlake respectively. The fourth team to make the semi-finals was Middle Rangers ‘A’ as they edged past their ‘B’ team compatriots 2-1.
With music blaring and families and friends out in full force for the event, the atmosphere was lively. Many of the girls also took time to fraternise with their compatriots during whatever little break they had.
In the semi final 2008 Women’s Challenge Cup winners Police FC took on Sengkang Punggol. In an otherwise close affair, it was Sengkang’s Nurashidah Rashid who stole the limelight by scoring a goal in each half to send her team through the finals. A rock solid performance from Chen Cai Ying at the back made the difference as well keeping the Police attack at bay and ensuring a clean sheet for her team.
The final was a rematch of an earlier Group C encounter. Sengkang Punggol having narrowly lost 2-3 in that match were looking to put one over their rivals. Both teams had also met at the final fixture of the FAS Women’s League just two weeks ago, when a win for Sengkang Punggol decided the title in their favour.
With rivalry and the Pesta Sukan crown on the line, Sengkang took the game to Middle Rangers right from the start of the match, as Chen Yue Gui grazed the crossbar with a long-range drive direct from kick-off. Given the short amount of time, both teams then resorted to long passes to turn defensive pressure into quick counter attacks.
After a flurry of near chances at both ends, the deadlock was finally broken before the end of the first half. Chen Yue Gui’s tricky corner was mishandled over the line by the Middle Ranger’s goalkeeper gifting Sengkang a crucial 1-0 lead. With the day’s long and grueling schedule starting to take a toll on the players, both teams fought hard to turn the game to their favour.
But it was Sengkang who doubled their lead with a second goal coming from Nurashidah Rashid, slotting home after being played through by Jillyn Koh. With their opponents unable to convert their chances the first half drew to a close with Sengkang ahead two goals to the good.
Middle Rangers piled on the pressure in the second half but more chances went amiss. They did however manage to pull a goal back late in the game but it proved to be too little too late as the game ended 2-1 to the ladies in red and black.
With that win, Sengkang Punggol made it two trophies in two weeks having clinched the FAS Women’s League 2009 title on September 27. With another crown added to their honours list in their first year in women’s football competition, the team has now leapt beyond expectations having been formed just under a year ago.
At the prize giving ceremony Guest of Honour Ms Nazreen Banu, the FAS Head of Women’s Football Department, was delighted with the turnout and progress of the event.
GO SENGKANG PUNGGOL!
