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End of An Era - Richard Bok bow out with a Cup Win

Richard Bok left a legacy behind

So it was the perfect farewell gift for departing SAFFC coach, Richard Bok, as the Warriors ended their trophy drought since 2009 with the clinching of the RHB Singapore Cup at the expense of title challengers, Tampines Rovers at the Jalan Besar Stadium with a 2-1 scoreline.

The winning of the Cup this evening could be seen by some as the most significant achievement in Bok's coaching career.

For the fact that the squad that won tonight is a SAFFC team that is considered the squad Bok tried to build up as his own for bigger stages after the exodus of several stalwarts such as Thai legend Therdsak Chaiman, John Wilkinson, Aleksandar Duric, etc. following their last trophy won - the League title in 2009.

SAFFC players tossed coach Bok in the air after the win

The following years saw the Warriors gradually revamp the squad with several new signings in an effort to beef up the challenge in its second Asian Champions League (ACL) appearance, which did not really go that smoothly and also marked the dearth of trophies in the club's cabinet in recent years.

As such, this victory marked the end of an era for the club's most successful coach since the league's inaugural back in 1996, with four league titles and three Singapore Cup victories.

SAFFC came from behind after trailing Tampines with this goal

I thought it was pretty unlucky for SAFFC's custodian Shahril Jantan to have that intended punch away turned into a goal for Ismadi Muktar, whose cross from the left was meant for Aleksandar Duric to finish off from close range in the 25th minute.

Erwan Gunawan's (no.13) late winner ensured all go home early

Nonetheless, true to the spirit of any Cup Final around the world, the Warriors pressed on in the second half and gifted themselves with the equalizer from Shimpei Sakurada in the 78th minute, before substitute Erwan Gunawan's injury-time winner sent the Stags sinking down on their feet.

Tampines' honour hopes are now hanging by a thread 

This defeat could be seen as a damaging indication for Tampines Rovers, who are now in danger of possibly ending the season without a trophy with their closest rivals, Brunei DPMM just a point behind them on the league standings.

A fact that was hardly foreseen a few weeks earlier when they were at their all-time high, although some may have a different opinion.

Comments

  1. I am one of those who think that winning this cup was one of the most significant achievement in Bok's coaching career and I was so happy for him because he and his players worked so hard for this

    ReplyDelete

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