Match Day News
SBVS 0 – 3 Questra Vipers
Scorers: Anders Aplin (29’)
Ronald Chai (38’)
Terence De Souza (57’)
Kallang Practice Track – Questra Vipers (QV) turned in a clinical display yesterday afternoon to secure a vital 3 points in their hopes of a first Premier Division crown. Two goals within the space of 10 first-half minutes from Anders and Ronald gave the Vipers the advantage before Terence struck just after halftime to make it 3-0.
In all honesty it was probably Vipers’ element of surprise for the Saints that could have been a crucial deciding factor as they have never played against the Norwegian opposition in spite of both sides having played together in the EFL without facing each other for over 2 years.
After a tentative opening spell in which both teams failed to live up to expectations, the Vipers took the initiative when a quick break involving Fang Yi, Tseyang and Anders saw the latter finish off his chance.
Intent on defending his crown, last year’s Vipers Player of the Year was yet again in the mix of things and he laid on an inch-perfect cross for Ronald to head home after a run from deep to add to his assist tally.
The Saints had their own chances but the Vipers should have buried the game as both Fang Yi and Anders missed golden opportunities to extend the lead before half time.
SBVS came out of the blocks right after the break with a new sense of purpose, and quickly tested Kelvyn between the posts although at this point he was not yet really able to break their final defence.
Any hope of a result for the Saints vanished though 15 minutes later, the Vipers sealed the win when Anders picked out Terence’s run in the box which brought a neat sidefooted finish.
The Saints threatened a late flurry and their talisman no. 7 looked clean through but inexplicably shot straight at Kelvyn to spare the Vipers. With time clocking down the Vipers secured the much desired points, although the manager knows it is still very much a fight for the title race till June.
*Questra Vipers man-of-the-match: Jaimy Chadam – the American midfield general finally made his mark after a long time out from the senior squad. Vipers fans hope to see him play a important role in the team's chase for the title.
Starting Line-up
35. Kelvyn Lee (gk)
40. Tan Zheng Yu
16. Stephen Lee
12. Royston Poh
8. Huang Zhiwei
10. Mark Koh
19. Jaimy Chadam
28. Addie Tan
11. Lee Tse Yang
30. Max Suderow
23. Lu Fang Yi
Substitutions
2. Ronald Chai (for Royston Poh)
3. Parry Lim (for Huang Zhiwei)
4. Tan Li Yu (for Mark Koh)
15. Anders Aplin (for Max Suderow)
17. Kelvin Soh (for Lee Tseyang)
20. Terence De Souza (for Addie Tan)