Match Day News
Questra Vipers. 4 - 1 Hibernians United.
Scorers: Anders Aplin (51', 79')
Addie Tan (75')
Ronald Chai (86')
Queenstown Secondary - Questra Vipers needed to score from behind, and ended up scoring four times to secure 3 vital EFL Premier Division points. Young striker Anders Aplin helped himself to a scintillating brace, while winger Addie Tan scored his first league goal of the season and midfield dynamo Ronald Chai scored the fourth with aplomb.
The Hibs took the lead against the run of play following very poor defending by the Vipers rearguard, but it turned out to be a good blessing in disguise for the team in black. The result leaves the Vipers in good stead ahead of the meeting with title rivals and early season leaders South Buona Vista Saints in two weeks' time.
Despite enjoying the majority of possession, the Vipers did not really test the Hibs rearguard in the first half hour. The Hibs continued to press on the counter and on two to three occasions almost broke the deadlock.
The impressive Hibs goalkeeper was the outstanding performer of the first period, repelling the Vipers' efforts but were denied each time. QV came closest to finding the target from outside the box with the width of the woodwork saving the Hibs as the half closed.
Making important changes at the break, the Vipers tried to take the initiative by changing on striker Anders, and winger Kenneth giving some the width and having the attacking impetus while maintaining defensive discipline.
This all went out the ear as the Vipers defence was all at sea, giving the Hibs striker with the simplest tasks of tapping the ball home from 3 yards out. The Vipers were awoken and their reply was immediate.
From a swift counter captain Li Yu picked out Anders who beat his marker for pace and finished off with a aplomb. 1-1 with two goals each with just 5 minutes on the clock.
As always the Vipers are reknowned for their profligacy and despite beating the offside trap on two occasions winger Addie Tan still could not get a way around the goalkeeper and likewise for forward Lee Tseyang.
QV continued to bombard the Hibs rearguard, while Hibernians United remained a real threat from set pieces on the counter attack. The Vipers finally made the difference when Player of the Year Tse Yang weaved his way into the half and picked out Addie's run as he chipped the keeper to make it 2-1 for the Vipers.
With 15 minutes left, the Hibs prompted a desperate effort trying to rescue the game but it left gaps behind. This time around Anders finished off the game after sprinting past the static defence to double the lead. By then it was left with a marvellous team goal as American striker Max picked out Ronald Chai to make the icing on the cake.
*Questra Vipers man-of-the-match: Anders Aplin - Not the striker's best performance yet, but looked sharp and scored two goals that are vital for the team.
Starting Line-up
29. Abdul Karim
16. Stephen Lee
40. Tan Zheng Yu
21. Shawn Tham
6. Tu Anh Nguyen
12. Royston Poh
11. Lee Tse Yang
26. Marcus Heng
28. Addie Tan
30. Max Suderow
9. Jeffrey Tan
Substitutions
3. Parry Lim (for Tan Zheng Yu)
4. Tan Li Yu (for Marcus Heng)
20. Terence De Souza (for Shawn Tham)
17. Kelvin Soh (for Royston Poh)
23. Kenneth Seow (for Max Suderow)
15. Anders Aplin (for Jeffrey Tan)
14. Hadi Wibawa (for Tu Anh Nguyen)