SAFSA PUTS UP FIERCE FIGHT AT BOGAARS CUP

It was a night of twists and turns.

At the 38th Bogaars Cup contested by the Singapore Armed Forces Sports Association (SAFSA) and the Singapore Police Force Sports Association (SPFSA) on 11 Oct, supporters from both teams were taken on an emotional roller-coaster ride.

Half an hour into the game held at the SAFTI Military Institute stadium, SAFSA supporters roared as Private (PTE) Nurhisham Suhaimi delivered the first goal for the SAF team.

Not to be outdone, SPFSA players came back stronger during the second half of the match and equalised with a goal at the 83rd minute.

Minutes later, a penalty kick by SAFSA's Corporal (CPL) Ang Zhi Wei brought SAFSA to a 2-1 lead as the ball darted past the hands of SPFSA's goalkeeper and into the goal.

Supporters watched with bated breath for a champion to emerge, only to have the game end in a 2-2 draw as SPFSA scored another equaliser just minutes before the whistle was blown.

Going into a penalty shoot-out to break the tie, SAFSA's resistance was eventually broken, losing 4-3 to SPFSA on penalties.

Speaking to cyberpioneer after the match, SAFSA's team captain Lance Corporal (LCP) Raymond Kwa expressed disappointment at the outcome: "We felt quite down each time the Police equalised, but as the captain, I had to encourage the team to maintain high morale."

But he added: "It was a tough fight, and I think we did very well. We played together as one, and most importantly, we did our best."

Despite being runners-up in the annual Bogaars Cup, PTE Suhaimi was pleased to have scored the first goal for SAFSA.

"I was surrounded by three defenders. All I could think of at that moment was to score as fast as possible, and I managed to shoot the ball in from outside the penalty box."

Affirming that he will be playing at next year's Bogaars Cup before his Operationally Ready Date, the Full-time National Serviceman said: "I'll improve on my techniques and train harder for the Cup next year."

The G E Bogaars Cup was first held in 1971, in honour of the late Mr George Edwin Bogaars, who served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior and Defence (MID) from August 1965 to July 1970.

MID is the predecessor of today's Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Bogaars Cup series aims to promote interaction and maintain the historical ties and close working relationship between the two uniformed forces.

SAFSA won the Bogaars Cup last year and the year before.

The guests of honour at this year's game were Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong and Commissioner of the Singapore Police Force Ng Joo Hee.