by Jasmond Tan | Fit to Post Sports
CR Flamengo under-15s has been crowned champions of the 23rd Canon Lion City Cup 2011 after beating Singapore under-16s 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out.
The Cubs fought tirelessly against the tournament favourites as the score remained goalless after 90 minutes on Sunday at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Singapore threatened the Flamengo goal as early as the 3rd minute after Hazim Hassan was sent through on goal by Jonathan Tan. However, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he blasted the ball over the bar.
From then on, it was all one-way traffic as Flamengo seized control of the game. Player of the tournament Caio Rangal, who plays for the Brazilian national under-15s, was at the heart of every attacking play and he thrilled the 5,000 crowd with his skills and passing.
Fashah Rosedin makes yet another save to keep his team in the game. (Photo by Football Association of Singapor …
However, there were moments in the game where it seemed like Singapore Sports School student Fashah Rosedin, was taking on the entire Flamengo team as he single handedly kept them at bay with numerous saves.
In the second-half, defender Illyas Lee was fortunate not to have been sent off as he tugged Neto's shirt when the striker was through on goal. It was enough to throw the Brazilian national player off his footing as he dragged his shot wide off the mark.
But the Cubs started to come to life in the last 10 minutes of the game as they began making inroads into the Flamengo half.
One such foray came in the 85th minute saw Hanafi sent in another great cross for the unmarked Hazim, but he headed the ball wide of the post.
Cubs feel the tension as they look on during the shootout. (Photo by Football Association of Singapore)
He said, "Flamengo are a good side, a top team, but we managed to hold them (to a draw at full time) and I'm proud of my teammates."
Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Major-General (NS) Chan Chun Sing, was full of praise for the Cubs.
"We have a pipeline of very good young players now and I am very confident of them and look forward to continue to move on to the next stage," he said.
All smiles for the U-15 Cubs as they win third place. (Photo by Muse PR)
In an earlier match, Singapore under-15s thrashed Juventus FC under-15s 4-0 to clinch 3rd place in the tournament.
Goals from Irfan Iezran, man-of-the-match Adam Swandi and a double from Azhar Ramli gave the under-15s their biggest win of the tournament.
The referee is in the spotlight yet again. (Photo by Muse PR)
After the game, Juventus team manager Riccardo Cavallari did not want to pin-point any particular incident, but chose to sum up his frustrations.
"You have a major, major problem with your refereeing."
