One of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks today played host to the inaugural Nike ‘FC247 Own My Ground’ 5-a-side football tournament, a disruptive event celebrating the spirit of football anywhere, anytime 24/7.
Although closed to the public, the 36 teams who entered into the ‘NIKE FC247 Own My Ground’ tournament where given a unique opportunity to access the grounds of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. More than 250 young football players took over the station and owned the ground with a spectacular display of football.
The station was abuzz with excitement as teams gathered along the platform to watch the matches. Whilst resting between games in the group stages, Punggol Secondary School representative, Punggol SPC, were impressed by the settings for the 5-a-side tournament. Team representative Zailan, 18 said, “The surrounding are really unique. I would never have thought I would get the chance to play here; it’s a really special venue and experience playing here with my friends.”
In addition to playing a series of exciting matches, the teams also had the opportunity to trail Nike’s innovative Elastico boots from the FC247 range. Made up of lightweight components, the striking green design is tailor made for the hard-court surface, perfect for the platforms at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. The Elastico Challenge put the boys through their paces, tasking their skills to dodge the platform pillars and control the ball on the uneven surface.
The group stages were action packed with the highest scoring 16 teams progressing through to knock out stages. For the top four teams, there was an additional surprise in store AS national players, Khairul Amri and Shaiful Esah made a special appearance. The four top teams dazzled with their displays of skill and athleticism with the eventual winners Bola Kampong and The Losers progressing through to the finals.
Whilst watching the tense penalty shootout in the semi-finals, Amri said, “When I was a kid Fandi, Sundram and Abbas were all playing in the void decks around home, and we’d try to copy their moves that they did on the field. You know like Sundram’s overhead kick, Fandi’s volley, that kind of thing. That’s where it started for a lot of us, playing in the voids, where we tried to be like our idols.”
As the day drew to a close, Amri and Esah turned their hands to coaching the two finalist teams. Offering words of advice to their teams, Esah, coaching Bola Kampong said, “You guys have nothing to lose, go out, have fun and keep believing.”
Bola Kampong stepped up TO the penalty spot first, converting their attempt and placing the pressure on The Losers to score, which THEY duly did. However, The Losers luck ran out after they failed to convert their second penalty attempt, handing victory to Bola Kampong. Cheers rang out from the Bola Kampong team with Esah joining in the celebrations. Bola Kampong captain, Muhammad Syahfuddin, 16, said “Celebrating with Shaiful was great and really unexpected. He is one of my favourite players and it was amazing being able to celebrate with him.”
Nike Singapore Country Marketing Manager Alvin Soo said, “Football is enjoyed at almost any time and in any place. Many football players in Singapore grew up playing the small-sided game, and we aim to inspire young football players here to continue playing, with this celebration of football anywhere, anytime.”
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