Controversy reigned last saturday. League leaders Geylang West failed to turn up for their league matches, and they unfortunately had those games forfeited. That meant good news for Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bukit Merah and Sembawang who leapfrogged above them in the standings. Those forfeited games now means that Geylang West will fail to retain their championship, thought the tight individual awards race still means that individuals like Gary Tan and Ghanisheelan still have an opportunity to capture the league's Golden Boot and MVP award.
Bukit Merah went top of the table with 3 wins. A familiar face turned up, as last season's Golden Boot winner, Muhd Hazzuwan, made his first appearance for his new team. His addition galvanised then Bukit Merah attack, giving them that extra zest which was missing on the opening day. They romped 5 goals past Sembawang, despite the heroics of Sembawang keeper Muhd Yushammil. Bukit Merah star Muhd Ridzwan Katerman opened his account for the season, after his sluggish display 2 weeks ago. But his performance was marred by a sending off for verbally abusing the referee. It was petulant, but his luck holds out as his suspension is considered served after Bukit Merah's next game was a walk over win over Geylang West.
Sembawang stays in second place despite the loss to Bukit Merah. A rather nervous display against Bukit Merah prevents them from topping the table, but they sill have a chance to win the league for the very first time if they win their next two games against Marine Parade and Bedok, and Bukit Merah fails to gather full points in their two games. In Muhd Yushammil, Sembawang posses one of the best keepers in the league according to former Golden Glove winner, Abdul Munaf. Sembawang will look to not repeat the fall of 2007, where the team fell from 2nd place to 6th place after crashing to 2 defeats on the final day.
Bedok also has a slim chance of winning the league, but they'd need both Sembawang and Bukit Merah to lose at least one of their matches. Muhd Khairulnizam Bin Irwan returned to attack with captain Syed Ahmad Naqib, and Bedok looked more dangerous than ever. Both have combined to score a whopping 13 goals. But a surprise loss to Ang Mo Kio severely dented their title hopes. Stranger things have happened though, and Bedok remains one of the fun teams to watch.
Ang Mo Kio came to life on the 3rd matchday, inspired by another ex-Geylang West member, Noriswandi Bin Satiman. His all-action display in attack (contrastingly different to his heroics in goal for Geylang West last season) troubled defenders and alleviated the pressure off defender Muhd Zulfiqarl, who even managed to pop up on the other end to score a goal. They are unable to win the league, but both Bedok and Sembawang fans will be hoping they manage an upset over leaders Bukit Merah. Much will depend on Norsatiman's shoulders.
Marine Parade's season continue to disappoint. Injuries have robbed them of playmaker, Muhd Hyder, and now a freak incident has taken Muhd Lukman Bin Rifpin who had starred in Hyder's absence. Defeated by Bedok and Ang Mo Kio, they can only rue on what might have been if their luck with injuries were not so severe. Defender Muhd Irfan bin Muhd Imran has been a real star despite the losses, and striker Muhd Asri Bin Kamarudin has come to the fore. He now leads the whole league with 9 goals.
MacPherson and Taman Jurong failed to build up on their promising opening day display. And both sit firmly in the bottom 2 positions. A fine final day display will go a long way in alleviating the dreads of this season.
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