Safra Tampines - FAA All Stars brushed aside their last minute heartbreak the previous week to beat Deportivo Lions 4-3, which saw Aarulselven grabbing a brace. The team started the game in full force dominating and creating as many chances in the first ten minutes, putting the Deportivo defence in the back foot.

The first goal duly came in the 16th minute when good play down the left from Brad Menezes released Aarul who ran through to tap in from close range. The lead did not last long when lack of communication between goalkeeper, Wan Shaifulrezza, and Muhd Azfar led to a calamitous defending which saw the ball eluded, both onrushing players, allowing the striker with the easiest of job to stroll the ball into an empty net. Disaster struck in the 30th minute when coach Firdaus brought a player down in the penalty spot but was lucky not to go a man and a goal down when the resulting spot kick was ballooned harmlessly over.

 

Brad Menezes restored the lead minutes from half time with a brilliant solo effort, cutting in and out from the edge of the box before hitting a bender into the top corner. The first goal of the season from Brad saw the boys taking a well deserve lead into half time.

Tactical Shuffle

FAA came out from the break looking to extend the lead but was unable to take control of the possession. The lack of creativity and the tired legs started to kick in and the boys were punished when a through ball from Deportivo caught the defence out when an onrushing Wan Shaifulrezza called out for his ball but could not reach it in time, allowing the Deportivo player to beat the ball past the goalkeeper to put the ball in. 

A change of tactics and personnel in midfield paid dividends when two quick fire goals from Rohit Bhojwani and Aarulselven respectively saw the boys pulled ahead of Deportivo Lions. Pushed up to the traditional number 10 role, Rohit showed his finishing qualities when a foul on coach Danial earned a free kick on the side line saw Fitri Huzaimi float in a nice cross into the near post and Rohit took a sweet side footer to divert the ball into the back of the net.

Aarul put the icing on the cake when he reacted the fastest to meet a marvelous low cross from P. Saravanan after a pass in midfield by Firman Noorkim released Sara to beat his man to help contribute to a well taken team goal. It was not to be the end of things when complacency in the ranks saw the team give away possession cheaply resulting in a third goal when a Deportivo striker muscled his way through on goal to strike it into Syawal Said’s near post. This victory saw the boys move one place up, overtaking Deportivo in fourth place on goal difference.

MOTM: Aarulselven, finally showed his potential as a goal poacher and cut down on his tendency to dribble pass his marker. Two well-taken goals from close range saw him earning this week’s MOTM award.