Season's Finale

Sell-Si FC’s Champion!!!

4 teams went in to the final match with hopes and chances of winning this season, some more equal than others.

The crowd favourites, MCU, failed to capitalize on their lead when they only managed to get only 3 points from 2 matches.

Meanwhile, the second and third place teams, Shiock and FP, self-destructed when they posted their worst match day performance on the most crucial time. Both teams lost all their matches on the last day.

In the end, it was left to the dark horse of the season, SS, who did not hesitate to take the chances that were presented to them on a gold platter. They defeated their close rival FP in their first do-or-die match of the day 3-1. Playing the final game of the season, SS knew that they had to win by a margin of 4 clear goals against the strong Shiockers to win the league.

In the nail-biting finale, SS fought like lions while the Shiock team was reduced to stunned spectators as SS steamrolled them 6-1; much to MCU disappointment.

This result meant that SS has captured the league title with 19 points, edging MCU who also has 19 points by goal difference of 1 goal.

The highlights of the matches are as follows :-

Match 25 : MCU vs Shiock (2-1)
MCU sounded their intent from the kick-off whistle when Sam unleashed a shot that was parried away by the keeper. Shiock responded immediately with Oon but his shot was blocked too. MCU edged ahead when super-keeper Samshen hit one of his trademark long ball into the opposing penalty box, which Daniel gleefully glanced into goal. Daniel struck again to give MCU a spirit lifting 2 goal lead. Shiock threw their whole arsenal at MCU but the defense led by Victor held firm. Shiock pulled a goal back when an innocuous looking shot slipped thru Samshen’s fingers. That goal encouraged Shiock to attack harder but MCU held on for an important win.

Match 26 : SA vs RM (2-3)
In this 5-6 placing match, David scored first for RM when he pounced on a rebound to shoot past the sprawled keeper. Suresh added another for RM before Lionel pulled one back to SA. SA equalized against the run of play when Ryan blasted a freekick thru RM’s porous wall. However, their joy was short lived as David put RM ahead again when he stole in unmarked and the score remained till end. With this win, RM clinched the 5th placing while SA had to contend with 6th placing.

Match 27 : SS vs FP (3-1)
It’s a do-or-die for both as neither can afford to drop any points if they want to win the league. Andy gave FP an encouraging start when he drilled in a low shot past the hapless keeper. FP continued to play a compact game and SS were forced to shoot from far as they can’t seemed to get past the defence. Lady luck smiled on SS when Shawn’s kick deflected off Andy’s shoulder and flew past the stranded keeper for the equalizing goal. That goal seemed to deflate FP and as SS continued to chip away at FP’s great wall, at last FP cracked not once but twice as Jeshua scored two more goals from either flank to give SS a deserving win. With this loss, FP’s chance at the title is shot while SS has strengthened their case for the league.

Match 28 : MCU vs RM (1-3)
At the current standing, MCU just needed a point from this match to win the league. It was not meant to be though as RM were in a merciless mood after their trouncing last week. Samuel Chin scored a rare goal for MCU to give them an early but deceptive lead as RM hit back with 2 goals from David. The first was a glancing header and the second came when Samshen let a harmless shot slipped thru his fingers for the second time today. Rattled MCU tried to hold on but RM was not letting up on the attacks and got the match’s last goal when Suresh hit a pile-driver. With this loss, MCU’s chance of winning the title will have to depend on the outcome of the final game between SS and Shiock.

Match 29 : SA vs FP (3-4)
With their chance gone, the best that FP can hope for is a second placing. With their 6th placing confirmed, SA is playing for nothing but pride. SA shocked FP with 2 early goals before FP fought back to equalize. Both sides scored again to tie at 3-3 before Ryan capitalized on a defensive mistake to blast the ball past the hapless keeper. FP dug in deep to find another equalizer but without their ace striker around, their dominance did not translate to goal. While SA notched only their second win of the season, today’s double defeat for FP meant they ends their campaign on 4th placing.

Match 30 : SS vs Shiock (6-1)
In this final match of the season, Shiock got to be the kingmaker as the outcome of this will decide whether SS or MCU will get the title. SS needs to beat Shiock by 4 clear goals in order to win. With Shiock’s reputation as a team which is very strong defensively, most have expected SS to have an almost impossible task. However, impossible is nothing to SS in this match. Although they trailed to an early Shiock’s goal, SS played like rabid dogs high on ice as they keep barking and biting at Shiock. They got their equalizer when Samuel capitalized on a rebound to shoot home. Energized, they came again and Shawn scored from a corner. Shiock’s defence suddenly seemed as watertight as a piece of paper and SS keep going from strength to strength and added 3 more goals from Shawn (2) and Samuel. At the current scoreline, SS know they’ve done enough but if Shiock retaliated with any more goals, they’ll be out. With that knowledge, SS didn’t let up and got a deserving final goal thru Jeshua. As they walked off the court in jubilation, Shiock were left wondering what had hit them and MCU stunned at the match outcome.

Congratulations to all the teams for a fantastic season of thrills, spills, drama kings and queens, controversies and ecstasies.