BACK TO BACK CROWN FOR SAFFC

The Warriors as they are fondly known as delivered what was expected of them in their final league match of the season when they edged Gombak United 2-1 at their home turf of the Stadium Choa Chu Kang.

The win was SAFFC’s sixth championship.

Needing the three points to make sure that stay just in front of Home United in the final count, SAFFC took the early lead in the 12th minute with a grounder from captain Noor Ali before Kenji Arai made it 2-0 at the break.

Agu Casmir then pulled a goal back for Gombak United when he converted a penalty in the 63rd minute for the final scoreline.

“I have no words to describe this – I can’t describe it,” said Richard Bok, the head coach of SAFFC.

“It was teamwork; the same as last year, the fighting spirit that helped us win this championship. This year it was definitely harder, as we were the defending champions trying to win it again. “

Striker Aleksandar Duric also picked up the SAFFC Player of the Year with the
37 goals he scored for the team the whole season long.

In the meantime, Home United had to settle for the disappointment of coming in second even though they did win their last league match of the season with a slim 2-1 victory over Geylang United at the Bedok Stadium.

A late strike from substitute Qiu Li gave Home United the win and the three points but it turned out that it was not enough for them to steal the S-League crown from under SAFFC.

Indra Sahdan Daud scored first for Home United in the 40th minute before Leopoldino dos Santos drew level for Geylang with a well-taken free kick in the 62nd minute.

Qiu Li then volleyed home the winner with just a minute remaining on the clock.

“The turning point came after we lost 2-1 to the Young Lions (on 26 October),” quipped Vincent Subramaniam, the head coach for Home United, afterwards.

FINAL S-LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Singapore Armed Forces FC 79pts (+57)

2. Home United FC 78pts (+38)

3. Tampines Rovers FC 77pts (+45)

4. Gombak United FC 48pts (+14)

5. Young Lions 47pts (-9)

6. Geylang United FC 39 pts (-1)

7. Woodlands Wellington FC 37pts (-5)

8. Albirex Niigata FC (S) 35pts (-4)

9. Liaoning Guangyuan FC 29pts (-30)

10. Balestier Khalsa FC 28pts (-19)

11. Sengkang Punggol FC 24pts (-30)

12. Super Reds FC 18pts (-56)