OPOD News Centre – Despite missing out on the Division 1 title in season 7 due to an inferior goal difference record against eventual champions International Soccer Academy in the ESPZEN Saturday League, Team Intense showed no signs of complacency as they began season 8 on a positive note after overcoming Supernova FC 3-1.
Interestingly, a moment of ‘brilliance’ from Jun Rong gave Team Intense the lead inside 15 minutes when the full back’s intended cross looped over Supernova’s goalkeeper, hit the post and crossed the goal line. Team Intense ended the first half with a two goal lead when midfielder Chen Kang scored the second goal by latching on a tantalizing cross from the right to unleash an unstoppable side foot volley past a hapless Supernova’s goalkeeper, a feat which any striker would be proud of.
A thorough pep talk by team manager cum player Ubai during the interval brought a dispirited Supernova FC back into life as they adopted a gung ho attacking strategy to search for goals in the second half. Supernova FC’s approach seemed to pay dividends when gaffer Ubai pulled one back , a neatly executed volley past an onrushing Intense’ goalkeeper. Nevertheless, talismanic midfielder Andrew left it late to ensure the win for Team Intense when he slotted home a team goal straight from a counter attack in the last quarter of the second half.
YSOSRS also started their season brightly courtesy of a 3-1 win against St Andrews FC. Fake Madrid FC clinched a morale booster in their season opener as they overcame reigning champions International Soccer Academy 2-1 while Greats II FC also secured three points against TeamCuzz FC with a similar scoreline.
In Division 2, Sporting TGA FC bagged two wins out of two after defeating FC Hospitality 2-0 while AANG Wolf FC clinched a hard fought 4-3 win against Real Ale Madrid FC. In Division 3, Naranja AFC begun their season on a winning note by edging past Arizen FC 4-2. In the lower tiers, Kelly-P FC landed their first win in emphatic style by trouncing Oldz Boyz FC 5-0 in Division 3 while Happy Everybody FC emulated the Vietnamese side with a 6-0 win over Stretford FC.
In the ESPZEN Sunday League, SCC Tigers moved back to third place thanks to a 8-2 win over Aioli United FC in Division 1. Gabrielite Remix FC picked up their first win having defeated Hibernians Athletic FC 4-1. In Division 2, Tuan Gemuk Athletic FC is three points away from the drop zone after landing a 3-1 win over Barbarians FC while Fighting Cocks FC kept their title hopes alive with a 5-0 trouncing over YDM UTD FC.
In Division 3, Eastern Vale FC recovered from their setback against Barclays Capital FC previously by defeating Central Park FC 4-2. Singapore Vikings FC kept pace with Team H FC in the title race by overcoming MATADOR FC 1-0 while Hibernians Social FC failed to move out of the drop zone after sharing the spoils with FC Socheaux in a 2-2 draw. In Division 4, Raptors FC gave themselves some breathing space in the relegation battle by defeating Team Prodigy 2-1 while The Usual Suspects FC maintained their top spot courtesy of a 5-4 win against Mollys Misfits FC.
In Division 5, ESPZEN Primero FC moved to within two points of Hibernians Youth FC in the title battle after trouncing Suava Fusion FC 5-1 while FC El Leon is languishing in the drop zone having salvaged a 2-2 draw against Deportivo Singapura. In Division 6, AC United FC moved out of the drop zone thanks to a 3-2 win against Outlander Smurfs FC. Although White Wolfton FC secured three points in a 5-2 win against ESPZEN Jaws SC, an 11-1 thrashing over Northwest Spartans FC was sufficient for Arima Singapura FC to stay on top of Division 7 based on their superior goal difference record.
In Division 8, Warrioz Vege FC maintained their lead on the top after trouncing New Olympique Singapore FC 8-0 while Pakiyoko FC kept pace with the league leaders by defeating Ishkawa FC 5-2. In Division 9, Futbolistas FC bagged their eighth consecutive win in sensational style after overcoming Entertainers FC 2-1 in the top of the table clash while British Exiles Sunday FC consolidated third place with a 2-0 win over Killer Whales FC.
In Division 10, Team Spirit FC moved to the top after handing Philippine FC(SG) a 5-0 drubbing while Westlanders FC is trailing behind at second place thanks to a 4-1 win over ANZA Lions FC. In the lower tiers, Rowdees FC kept pace with Everyday Sunday FC in the title race by thrashing Next Team FC 6-0 in Division 11 while Orange Team FC occupied third place after easing past MILF FC 6-1.
In the ESPZEN Midweek League, German All Stars Singapore overtook Agave Allstars FC in fourth place as they landed a magnificent 2-1 win against Screaming Irish FC.