The FAS Young Women were the biggest winners in Week Four of the Women’s Challenge Cup as they posted a 9-2 win over Malaysia U19.

 

It was a display of sheer technique, speed and tenacity, as the girls outran and outpaced their younger Malaysian counterparts.

 

Mere seconds into the game, the FAS Young Women showed that they had fully grasped their scoring groove. Tina Afrida Nasmi led the wave of unstoppable golden touches as she netted a goal in the first minute. This was shortly followed by Fazarina Zaiton’s in the 9th minute.

 

Chinese striker Luo Jian Zhen then found the net a total of five times, in the 24th, 47th, 49th, 59th and 65th minutes. No mercy was shown for their opponents as compatriot Chen Yue Gui further upped the score with goals in the 64th and 67th minute.

 

However, the unfailing spirit of the Malaysian U19s deserved commendation. Despite FAS Young Women leading 9-0, they managed to keep their heads up and eventually scored consolatory goals in the form of Eslilah Esar (78th minute) and Melissa Soh Chui Siang (88th minute).

 

Abirami Apbai Naidu, who plays right fullback for the FAS Young Women, credited their win to a combination of factors.

 

We always try to go into a game focused and not be complacent because of previous wins.

 

“I think our teamwork is our major strength against our opponents. Also, our new coach is a huge force of motivation for us

 

Coach Abdullah Noor, who came on board less than two weeks ago, praised his new charges for their excellent performance against the Malaysian side.

 

They are all very good players, these girls. But of course, the learning doesn’t stop and there is always room for improvement.

 

Besides honing their techniques and instilling discipline in them, I hope to increase the girls’ level of enjoyment for the game. If you truly enjoy what you are doing, you will naturally do it better.

 

The coach has sets his sight on the FAS Young Women reaching the final of the Women’s Challenge Cup.

 

We shall take it one step at a time. My target is to reach the final this year, and if we do well, hopefully we can walk home with the championship title.

 

In other matches, ITE Women’s continued their winning streak with a 5-0 thrashing over Police FC, Bishan Arsenal FC handed visiting team Negri Sembilan a 7-0 defeat, Sporting Westlake FC beat Tiong Bahru FC 1-0 and Arion Women’s FC edged out United World College 3-2.

 

Next matches:

15 Mar: NYPGA vs ITE Women’s Soccer Team (Nanyang Polytechnic, 7pm)
19 Mar: Semi-Final 1 – Winner of Group A vs FAS Young Women (Jurong Stadium, 5pm)
19 Mar: Semi-Final 2 – Bishan Arsenal FC vs Best Runner-up (Jurong Stadium, 7pm)