On Friday, 21 Nov 08, the Warriors completed a remarkable season finale with an exciting 2-1 win over the Rams of Woodlands Wellington FC in the RHB Singapore Cup Final at the Jalan Besar Stadium. The Cup win created another historic first for the Warriors by winning the League & Cup Double in back-to-back seasons, following up on their 3rd consecutive S.League Championship title. The Warriors were the firm favourites going into the Final against a Rams side that were besieged with internal rife before the match. The match would be the last chance for the Rams to end the season on a high note and they were definitely up for the task.

With Norikazu Murakami and Hafiz Osman suspended, Ahmad Latiff was pushed up front to partner Top Scorer, Aleksandar Duric and Razaleigh Khalik slotting in at right back. It was a tense and tight match in the opening stages but the Warriors soon found their momentum and began dominating possession and creating chances but found the Rams’ goalkeeper in unbeatable form.

The Rams were certainly tough opponents and defended in numbers and relied on quick counter attacks. But they hardly troubled Shahril Jantan and the Warriors’ back line superbly marshaled by Kenji Arai.

The Warriors were increasingly frustrated by the Rams’ stubborn resistance and it was left to the brilliance of Shaiful Esah’s left foot on the stroke of half time. The left back curled a magnificently taken corner kick from the right flank straight into goal to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead at half time.

The 2nd half was almost played in similar fashion as the first with the Warriors pouring forward but could not find the net. Ahmad Latiff had 3 chances but his headers all agonizingly missed the target. In the 78th minute, the Rams grabbed a shock equalizer from a corner that eluded all the Warriors but no the Rams’ striker who stabbed in from close range to bring the match a pulsating level.

The goal stung the Warriors into all-out action. In the 85th minute, from a freekick just outside the box, Therdsak cleverly played it to Jamil who slotted home but was controversially ruled offside. The match official continued to be embroiled in another controversial decision in the dying minutes when Ahmad Latiff was clearly bundled over in the box but no penalty was given. The match played into extra time with both sides feeling the effects of the long season. However, the Warriors appeared fitter and pressed forward in search of the winning goal. They were justly rewarded in the 102nd minute when another brilliantly taken corner from Shaiful Esah found the head of Kenji Arai. The towering defender made no mistake and firmly headed it in make it 2-1 to the delirium of the fans.

Click on a photo for the close-ups.

As the minutes ticked away, it was clear that the majestic RHB Singapore Cup trophy would make its way back to the Choa Chu Kang Stadium for a 2nd straight year. Credit to the Rams though, they fought gallantly, especially their goalkeeper who was rightly adjudged the Man-of-the-Match for single-handedly denying the Warriors with his heroic saves throughout the match.

When the final whistle went, the Warriors stood triumphant with their hands on the prestigious RHB Singapore Cup for a 2nd consecutive year.

It has been an outstanding season for the Warriors. The team had the belief and showed unparalleled team spirit and courage to emerge as the best team in the S.League for a 3rd consecutive season and 7 times in 13 seasons. The double Double achievement was certainly the icing on the cake.