Hi Hi Everyone …

Below are the the results for the TFAS Cup 2013, held 16-17 March 2013 at Orchid Country Club (Ruby Suite).

Amateur/U19 Category

This Category is solely created for those new players and those whom have not “touched” the game/sport for a long time.  We have 2 new player and 3 returning players.

There were a total of 9 players fighting it out.  Giovanni (our previous Amateur/U19 Champion) was present to defend his title, with a chasing pack waiting to dethrone him.

The day started with registration and the draw.  To increase the tension and suspense, it was decided the draw will be re-conducted at every stage of the competition until the Final and 3rd/4th placing matches.

Also to allow as much participation, the 2nd round (Knock-out phase), there will be eight players advancing.

The Group stage draw produced a “Group of Death” in Group A, where the reigning Champion (Giovanni) is grouped with Manto (a Hidden Horse from the West) and Anas (a Dark Horse from the North)

The Group stages kick-off !!

The Group matches were close and guarded affairs, with players trying to “feel” each other out.  The new players were holding their ground and the returning players were slowly getting the hang of things and their past experiences and skills starting to seep out …

The most unexpected event happened in the “Group of Death”, where the reigning Champion did not manage to win any of his group matches.  Fortunately he did enough to ensure he managed to advance to the next stage to “possibly seek revenge”.

In the Knock-out Phase, the draw again threw some surprises … Anas was drawn against Giovanni !! Revenge is in place …

The matches in this phase was faster and more flowing as became  “do or die” situations.  This is especially true for the BIG Match between Anas and Giovanni.  Unfortunately, Giovanni was not able to exact revenge and conceded the match with the same score (3:1) as in the Group stage.

Semi-Final stage … One of the matches pitted two brothers, Azlan and Izham, with Izham gaining the upper hand (Slightly) in extra-time by 2:3.  In the other semi-finals, Manto edged out Anas by 1:0.

3rd/4th Placing … Azlan was “venting his frustration” at Anas but Anas was able to deflect most of the attacks to mount some of his own.  Eventually Azlan was able to pierce Anas’s defences and score his first goal.  Anas continue his attack and search for an equalizing goal, but a counter-attack late in the match by Azlan was able to consolidate his position and he won the match by 2:0

Final …  Izham against Manto … The match was a guarded in the first half with both players trying to find a breakthrough in each other’s defences.  In the second half, Izham managed to capitalize on a combination of brilliance and luck to move the ball into a ideal spot and smashes the ball into the back of Manto’s goal.  Manto tried to recover but time was not on his side and eventually lost by 1 solitary goal.

The new Champion in the Amateur/U19 Category emerged … Izham Bin Sidek !!!

For the report and reports on OPEN Category, Click here.

Thanks to Subbuteo and PI in sponsoring the prizes for the event.