BREAKING /
TEMPERS FLARE AS SMU BEATS NUS DARREN ONG |
28.9.2011
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On Sept. 21 2011, Singapore Management University winger Chang Guo Guang was literally thrown off the pitch in an ill-tempered soccer match at the National University of Singapore’s Sports and Recreation Club.
The NUS men’s soccer team succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to SMU in their second Singapore University Games fixture played on Wednesday evening. The match though, would be remembered for all the wrong reasons, as ugly scenes ensued from an off-the-ball incident when the game was nearing its climax.
The flashpoint occurred nine minutes from full time, as tension that had been bubbling below the surface for the best part of a match littered by fouls and bookings finally came to a head.
NUS’s Liao Yong Zhi executed an over-zealous shoulder-barge challenge on Chang, who landed unceremoniously in front of the SMU substitute’s bench and had to be stretchered off for medical treatment.
The referee wasted no time in blowing for the foul and brandished a yellow card to Liao, who had just entered the fray seconds before as NUS’s third substitute.
SMU’s players and reserves, however, were baying for more blood. A frenzy of violent protests ignited from the SMU bench, which amplified after NUS striker Kristian Tung’s insinuation that the referee “might as well sit on the SMU bench,” an allegation of bias in protest to the awarding of a free-kick.
Though the referee was able to get the match underway after the five minute stoppage, he could do little to drown out the continued dissent, all of which was strongly worded, that emanated from the SMU reserves. They remained standing for the remainder of the match, as if ready to spring into action at the next provocation.
The precarious situation was defused somewhat by the final whistle which sounded minutes later, albeit on a sour note. However, the apprehension carried over onto post-match sentiments which focused less on the result than the incident.
SMU defender Leonadi Tandean, 22, in reference to Tung, said, “That number nine, he wants to fight, I’ll take him any day outside.”
SMU supporter Lim Chee Siong, 23, an accountancy student, took a milder but uncompromising view, “Horrible challenge. It’s a crime that there was no yellow card.”
Flora Gong, 23, an engineering student at NUS, concurred that it was a “bad foul” but felt that “the situation has been blown way out of proportion”.
Indeed, the inability to let cooler heads prevail tarnished what was a hotly anticipated clash of familiar foes. Both sides were seasoned campaigners who have tasted success at the highest level. The year 2009 saw SMU claim their first SuniG title while NUS went on to capture the prestigious Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic trophy.
However, with all the makings of a mouth watering affair, technical excellence came at a premium as the match failed to live up to its billing. What it lacked in quality though, it certainly made up for with drama.
It was not long before the pre-match hype fizzled out into a drab, tempered affair. Passes did not find their mark in an opening period blighted by fouls. The lacklustre nature of the match seemed to brew frustration in both camps.
This was best epitomised 15 minutes in when SMU’s hulking midfielder Simon Madsen was subject to an expletive laden tirade from his own teammates for making one errant pass too many. The tension was already threatening to boil over at this early stage.
A reprieve arrived with the long-awaited breakthrough in the 40th minute, as SMU captain Timothy Hwang rose highest to head home, giving SMU the lead at halftime.
NUS never recovered from that body blow. SMU was the quicker out of the traps from the restart, doubling their lead a minute after, through talismanic striker Bui Viet Anh. Bui sent the congregation of SMU supporters into raptures with a sublime chip over the stranded NUS keeper Shaun Teo.
The injection of a moment of brilliance, a rarity in the context of this game, could justify Bui wheeling away in jubilation even before the ball had nestled in the back of the net.
The silence was deafening though for NUS, as their supporters and substitutes painted a picture of glumness. The severity of the deficit however, seemed to jolt NUS into action, with the players rallying to stage palpable attempts at a comeback.
They proceeded to hold more sustained possession, with striker Mohamed Rashid coming closest after connecting sweetly on the volley on 75 minutes, only to have his goal-bound effort deflected away.
As time winded down and with no success at breaching the resolute SMU defence, NUS captain Lim Guoxing’s desperation became apparent. Ignoring his teammates, he embarked on a mazy run that left four SMU defenders sprawling in his wake before finally being subdued inside the box, just as he was shaping to shoot.
That was to prove the last glimpse of notable football action as Liao’s introduction in the 81st minute as NUS’s third substitute foreshadowed the reckless challenge that sparked angry scenes.
The respective coaches, however, steered clear of the controversy and addressed the performance of the players.
SMU coach Richard Chew chose to postpone his post match analysis to the subsequent training session, giving nothing away but a smile and a warning against complacency.
NUS coach Arasu was philosophical in his review while lamenting his side’s impotency in the attacking third. “That’s football. We had plenty of possession but no effectiveness up front. SMU made us pay with good finishing,” he said.
NUS’s failure to improve upon the 3-3 draw in their opening match with Singapore Institute of Management’s team left its hopes of capturing an elusive SuniG soccer title firmly in the balance.
The more troubling issue, however, was how its players overstepped the boundaries of competitive spirit, an affront to the ideals of fair play and sportsmanship that the inter-varsity games were established to promote.
The NUS men’s soccer team succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to SMU in their second Singapore University Games fixture played on Wednesday evening. The match though, would be remembered for all the wrong reasons, as ugly scenes ensued from an off-the-ball incident when the game was nearing its climax.
The flashpoint occurred nine minutes from full time, as tension that had been bubbling below the surface for the best part of a match littered by fouls and bookings finally came to a head.
NUS’s Liao Yong Zhi executed an over-zealous shoulder-barge challenge on Chang, who landed unceremoniously in front of the SMU substitute’s bench and had to be stretchered off for medical treatment.
The referee wasted no time in blowing for the foul and brandished a yellow card to Liao, who had just entered the fray seconds before as NUS’s third substitute.
SMU’s players and reserves, however, were baying for more blood. A frenzy of violent protests ignited from the SMU bench, which amplified after NUS striker Kristian Tung’s insinuation that the referee “might as well sit on the SMU bench,” an allegation of bias in protest to the awarding of a free-kick.
Though the referee was able to get the match underway after the five minute stoppage, he could do little to drown out the continued dissent, all of which was strongly worded, that emanated from the SMU reserves. They remained standing for the remainder of the match, as if ready to spring into action at the next provocation.
The precarious situation was defused somewhat by the final whistle which sounded minutes later, albeit on a sour note. However, the apprehension carried over onto post-match sentiments which focused less on the result than the incident.
SMU defender Leonadi Tandean, 22, in reference to Tung, said, “That number nine, he wants to fight, I’ll take him any day outside.”
SMU supporter Lim Chee Siong, 23, an accountancy student, took a milder but uncompromising view, “Horrible challenge. It’s a crime that there was no yellow card.”
Flora Gong, 23, an engineering student at NUS, concurred that it was a “bad foul” but felt that “the situation has been blown way out of proportion”.
Indeed, the inability to let cooler heads prevail tarnished what was a hotly anticipated clash of familiar foes. Both sides were seasoned campaigners who have tasted success at the highest level. The year 2009 saw SMU claim their first SuniG title while NUS went on to capture the prestigious Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic trophy.
However, with all the makings of a mouth watering affair, technical excellence came at a premium as the match failed to live up to its billing. What it lacked in quality though, it certainly made up for with drama.
It was not long before the pre-match hype fizzled out into a drab, tempered affair. Passes did not find their mark in an opening period blighted by fouls. The lacklustre nature of the match seemed to brew frustration in both camps.
This was best epitomised 15 minutes in when SMU’s hulking midfielder Simon Madsen was subject to an expletive laden tirade from his own teammates for making one errant pass too many. The tension was already threatening to boil over at this early stage.
A reprieve arrived with the long-awaited breakthrough in the 40th minute, as SMU captain Timothy Hwang rose highest to head home, giving SMU the lead at halftime.
NUS never recovered from that body blow. SMU was the quicker out of the traps from the restart, doubling their lead a minute after, through talismanic striker Bui Viet Anh. Bui sent the congregation of SMU supporters into raptures with a sublime chip over the stranded NUS keeper Shaun Teo.
The injection of a moment of brilliance, a rarity in the context of this game, could justify Bui wheeling away in jubilation even before the ball had nestled in the back of the net.
The silence was deafening though for NUS, as their supporters and substitutes painted a picture of glumness. The severity of the deficit however, seemed to jolt NUS into action, with the players rallying to stage palpable attempts at a comeback.
They proceeded to hold more sustained possession, with striker Mohamed Rashid coming closest after connecting sweetly on the volley on 75 minutes, only to have his goal-bound effort deflected away.
As time winded down and with no success at breaching the resolute SMU defence, NUS captain Lim Guoxing’s desperation became apparent. Ignoring his teammates, he embarked on a mazy run that left four SMU defenders sprawling in his wake before finally being subdued inside the box, just as he was shaping to shoot.
That was to prove the last glimpse of notable football action as Liao’s introduction in the 81st minute as NUS’s third substitute foreshadowed the reckless challenge that sparked angry scenes.
The respective coaches, however, steered clear of the controversy and addressed the performance of the players.
SMU coach Richard Chew chose to postpone his post match analysis to the subsequent training session, giving nothing away but a smile and a warning against complacency.
NUS coach Arasu was philosophical in his review while lamenting his side’s impotency in the attacking third. “That’s football. We had plenty of possession but no effectiveness up front. SMU made us pay with good finishing,” he said.
NUS’s failure to improve upon the 3-3 draw in their opening match with Singapore Institute of Management’s team left its hopes of capturing an elusive SuniG soccer title firmly in the balance.
The more troubling issue, however, was how its players overstepped the boundaries of competitive spirit, an affront to the ideals of fair play and sportsmanship that the inter-varsity games were established to promote.