Safra Tampines - FAA All Stars produced a five star performance in which the whole team played a superb game; looking strong and intimidating in every department. FAA started with the 4-3-3 formation to attack from the first whistle with the second round of game against an energetic team in the form of Homewest United FC.

 

Having played to a 3-3 draw in the previous meeting, both sides were full aware of each other. With the pairing of Hikaru Muratani and Coach Kelvyn showing a solid centre back partnership in the first half, the fullbacks comprising of Fitri Ruzaini and Wan Shaifulharezz checking the runs of the fast paced wingers and guest player Yan sitting in front of the back line, reducing Homewest to long shots at goal, the FAA All Stars looked confident to take control of the game.

 

FAA got the first goal inside fifteen minutes through Aarulselven Tamilselven after a cross from the left found him in the bodies of defenders. Fortunately, a clearance from a goalmouth melee struck between his leg and bundled over the line.

 

The second goal showed the chemistry of the side with a team goal when Aarul put his team two up as a result of a build up play from Fitri to Ammar Rizqullah whose link up with Firman Noorhakim set up Aarul, who latched onto the ball, dragging the goalkeeper off his line before footing the ball into the bottom corner.

 

Aarul completed his hat trick in the first half when a long punt from goalkeeper, Wan Shaifulrezza, to Aarul saw him single handedly dribble down the wing before faking a cross to hit the ball in from an acute angle. FAA went into the break with a three-goal lead and in control of the game.

 

 

With a comfortable lead, Head Coach Ahmad Paijan decided to bring the young duo of Ikhsan Fandi and Muhd Saifullah, giving them some playing time against physically bigger opponenets in the second half.

 

Homewest United came out of the break throwing more bodies forward. But the introduction of Ashok Kumar into defence helped form a back five to contain the fast forwards. Aarul increased the goal tally to four when he scored a marvelous 35 yard screamer after a Homewest player gave away possession cheaply to put the team four and easy to close up the game with half an hour to go.

 

Ikhsan Fandi wrote himself into the history book in FAA as the youngest player at fourteen years old to score a goal for the team when a through ball fom midfield found ikhsan who put his shot beyond the goalkeeper into the net to mark his second appearance with a goal. Homewest were intent to get a consolation goal in the final moments but were thwarted by Syawal Said in a one-on-one situation which sealed the faith of Homewest United. 

 

The latest win helped to strengthen the team's position in the second place with a six-game unbeaten run, winning five and a draw. With just two games left in the season, the boys will go into their second last fixture knowing full well another win out of the two will see the boys finish in their highest league postition, earning themselves a silver medal.