Ahead of the big showdown, Team Manager Brandon called for a press conference at Falcons Arena. schwarzstarfc.com was present as Brandon discussed about the upcoming internal match between the Contenders and the Challengers.

“After weeks of preparation, an internal game has been finally scheduled for this Saturday at Damai Secondary School, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm. This is a game we hold bi-annually to allow players to mingle with each other and for the new players to get to know the other players.

This match is held this week to keep the League Team match-fit with their EFL fixtures resuming only a fortnight later while the Competitive Team would be looking to this game as their final preparation before their D2D season kicks off around mid-April.

It is also an opportunity for the players to take a breather from their games and look to have some fun on the pitch. Unfortunately, the losing team would be required to run 2 laps around Bedok Reservoir, and hopefully this will motivate the guys to give their all to win the game.”

With the highly anticipated tie between the Contenders and the Challengers unfolding this Saturday, schwarzstarfc.com has taken a look at some of the key battles that will be fought over the field.

Kevin and Guanfeng (Contenders) v Satnam and Brandon (Challengers)

This will be an interesting face-off between the Contenders’ in-form strikers against the Challengers’ centreback pairing that has let in 7 goals in their last game. Kevin and Guanfeng’s red hot form should see them penetrate the defence like a hot knife through butter.

With many expecting a flurry of goals to end up in the back of the Challengers’ net, Satnam and Brandon will be determined to put things right. Can the Challenger’s defence put up a noteworthy rearguard performance or will the Contenders’ strikers have a field day in front of goal.

Norman, Farhan and Remi (Contenders) v Roy, Fernando, Melvin (Challengers)

It may seem like a walkover on paper for the Contenders. The steel, skill and simplicity of the Contenders’ trio respectively can overwhelm any midfield but football matches are never won on paper, but on the pitch, and the trio from the Challengers will give it their all.

Farhan and Norman will be tasked to protect the Contenders’ defence and Remi would be their key playmaker with his wide range of passing. Also, Norman would be a lethal threat from distance if given the opportunity to unleash one of his trademark shots.

With the tenacious Roy and Fernando protecting the defence, the Contenders will expect some body blows – don’t forget about Melvin’s close control and dribbling ability,

With so much talent between these sides, this battle for midfield is a key battle that may decide the outcome of the game.

Isa and Alfian (Contenders) v Yangsheng and Sanjay (Challengers)

This will be the first time Isa and Alfian are working together in the heart of the defence due to the absence of Taufiq, who is in Japan, scouting for models for their half time entertainment as seen by Team Manager Brandon and Coach Kenneth’s recent visit to the S-League Match between Etoile FC and Geylang United where the Contenders’ Coach Kenneth was, well, impressed with the French Models.

The Challengers’ Sanjay whose main strength will be his positioning and Yangsheng’s Howitzer packed shots, will give the mobile and wily Contenders defenders a tough time.

The relative new partnership in the heart of the Contenders’ defence could be exploited by the Challengers’ striker, who when in-form, can pose a severe threat before the Contenders’ goal.

Coach Kenneth (Contenders) v Coach Jason (Challengers)

A game of cat and mouse. Both coaches adopting the SSFC formation and philosophy but with a slight twist. Coach Kenneth focuses more on patient build-up play and frustrating their opponent by depriving them of touches on the ball before hitting them on the break.

Coach Jason, on the other hand, opts for a swift closing down of the opponents, depriving them of time and space. This will be a very tight game and both coaches will be looking to outclass their counterpart tactically.

It is also interesting to note that Coach Jason lost out 2-0 to Coach Kenneth in their previous encounter. With victory on his mind, he would be rallying his side to go out and come back with the victory when the final whistle goes.

Both Coaches have declined to reveal their match strategies before the game.

Insiders have revealed that Coach Jason was last seen with Assistant Manager Leonie at a Kopitiam drinking, most likely discussing tactics for the upcoming showdown.

With the big showdown just days away, it has the makings of one of the most entertaining match of the year.

The coaches of Schwarz Star FC are up against each other once again in this internal game. With Coach Kenneth sealing victory in their previous encounter at the start of the year, he would be relishing the prospect of securing another win over Coach Jason. Coach Jason, however, would definitely not be making things easy for his counterpart as he looks to get things right this time round.

Coach Kenneth will lead out his Contenders as they prepare to face Coach Jason’s Challengers in this contest with either side would be doing all they can to earn victory for their side and more important, the bragging rights.

The game is set to unfold at Damai Secondary School at 3pm on 3 April 2010.

After a discussion with the management, Team Manager Brandon Sng is delighted to announce that the team have been granted approval to use the field at Alexandra Hospital for the next few years.

The team initially feared that the usage of the field will be terminated when Alexandra Hospital moves out of their current location. However, the fears are now allayed following the announcement that the team would be able to continue their training sessions at Falcons Arena.

When interviewed by schwarzstarfc.com regarding the extended usage of the pitch, Team Manager Brandon Sng commented,

“I’m delighted with how smoothly the discussion with the management went. With the usage of the field secured for the near future, the team can now turn their focus back to achieving success on the pitch.”

With the weekend’s football action over, both teams suffered a similar fate as they failed to overcome their opponents.

With the League team up against MDIS FC, it was a high-scoring encounter as the Falcons were beaten 6-3 by their opponents. It was an uncharacteristic performance from the team and with no league matches scheduled for the upcoming weekend, they will be looking to make full use of the break to get things right before their next game against Happy Feet FC.

The Competitive Team ended their game on the losing side with a 2-0 defeat, but can take heart from their performance in the second half, where the team stamped their authority in defence and kept the opponent at bay for long periods of the half.

They will be looking to better their second half performance this Saturday on the 20th, where they take on the British Club Second XI at Bukit Timah Field 3. Kick off for that game is scheduled at 5pm.

EFL Qualifying Division
SSFC 1 – 0 JSSL Arsenal
28th Feb, 3 pm @ Macpherson Sec Sch

With a bit of good fortune, a lot of hard work and one bright spark, Schwarz Star FC got 3 points since their last huge 4-1 win over MDIS in January.

It has been a long time coming for the team, but more so for forward, Guan Feng who celebrated his 1st appearance on the starting-11 with the only goal of the game. Luck played some, if not a big role in SSFC clinching their 1st victory after 3 straight defeats. The Falcons welcome back Nguyen Tu Anh and Ching Zhi Yun as they took their places on the bench. The latter was getting his 1st game as an outfield player after spending half the season between the sticks.

This meant a start for E. Donohue in goal who had his hands, and legs full throughout the game. SSFC started brightly despite conceding posession and space to JSSL Arsenal. But the opponents found their rhythm soon and dominated proceedings. Almost at the 30th min mark, a through ball between channels left an opposing striker one-v-one with the Falcon’s keeper. It appeared hopeless till Elfrey’s well timed swipe of his left boot blocked out the convincing finish. Some hard and harsh questions were dished out at the defence – which he was rightly entitled to following the brilliant save.

The danger did not pass as some shots eluded the custodian but fortunately, kept out by the woodwork. The overall pattern remained as SSFC switched to absorb JSSL’s attacks in the 2nd half. The Falcon’s midfielders worked their socks off as they strived to unsettle their opponents in the middle. The SSFC keeper was again impressive as he dominated his box, claiming threatening crosses and long range efforts. With the Falcon’s unease increasingly evident in their over-eager clearances and loose tackles, a creative bright spark turned their fortunes around.

A spontaneous lofted drive from 30odd yards out by Muhammad Farhan caught the keeper unprepared who then misjudged the flight of the ball. He managed to just divert the ball away as he awkwardly fell along his goal line. Guan Feng, in only his 2nd appearance for SSFC, rushed in to tap home the loose ball but narrowly scuffed it as the ball got caught between his legs. The team watched in pained anticipation as the ball bobbled away from goal. Despite tangled up with the downed keeper, the striker managed to give a final nudge to the ball to steer it back in towards goal. It is particularly sweet for the new man as its almost half a decade since he played competitive football.

The goal was the cue for SSFC to shut up shop as they went into ‘Tower Defence’ mode. JSSL Arsenal probed even harder and faster, throwing 4 man into the attack, punting long balls in. Once more, Falcon’s goalkeeper stood tall with authority to command the box so much so that even the goal posts were ,seemingly, his to command as they denied the opponents again.

SSFC managed to break free towards the final 10 minutes where Yun almost grabbed himself 2 goals. The first was a reflex shot in the 18 yard that deflected up and over the crossbar. The 2nd was a glaring miss as he was left unmarked to head the ball in off a corner but only failed to find the bushed behind. JSSL Arsenal, the league Number Two had set the tone for a victory, but some inspiring goal keeping, lots of hard work by the 10 men outfield and a fair bit of luck allowed SSFC to hold on for their long-awaited victory.