Safra Tampines - An amazing run in the second half of the season which saw FAA All Stars win five and draw one since losing on 20 May 2012 against APFC has come to an abrupt end against Sporting Olympique as a lackluster performance saw them crash to a three-nil defeat.Sporting a new hot pink away kit, the boys started out in a 4-4-2 formation against the bigger and more experienced expatriate team and got the worse possible start to the game conceding early on inside ten minutes.

 

A ball played behind the defensive line allowed Sporting Olympique’s target man to run through on goal, a blocked effort from onrushing goalkeeper, Wan Shaifulrezza was ineffective as the ball ricochet off his body and Sporting to score from a rebound.

 

The early setback left the boys struggling for creativity and pace under the scorching weather but were close to an immediate reply after kick off when a looping through ball released Aarulselven in a one on one situation against the opposition goalkeeper but could only direct his effort straight at the goalkeeper.

 

Firman Noorkim drew a couple of saves out of the goalkeeper with his long range attempts but without carving out any real chances, the boys were fortunate not to go two goals down before half time when a counter attack from Sporting Olympique saw Wan Shaifulrezza saving his team’s blushes when he got down quick to palm away a shot from ten yards.

 

 

FAA All Stars came out after the break with Head Coach, Ahmad Paijan coming on to help the boys to turn the tide. But with poor finishing and some good keeping from the opposition goalkeeper, the boys could not get the equalizer they desperately needed before succumbing to another goal when a flick on from the Sporting midfield spring past the defense when the Sporting Olympique striker put the ball past Wan Shaifulrezza to double the misery of FAA All Stars.Sporting Olympique sealed victory in the 70th minute with their third goal after FAA lost possession in the middle of the park and a quick ball over the defense left goalkeeper Wan Shaifulrezza alone against the big forward who coolly lobbed the ball over the stranded keeper and into the net.

 

This defeat was saw APFC seizing the chance to move within a point of FAA All Stars with a 5-0 victory over bottom placed KPMG in the same Sunday fixture leaving FAA needing nothing less than a victory over APFC in their final game of the season to consolidate the second automatic promotion spot.