A day to remember for Singapore’s women footballers
It was the first time the Republic's female footballers took centre stage at the National Stadium.
And the women made it a day to remember in the Football Association of Singapore's Women's Challenge Cup third-place play-off and final.
Arion Football Academy's Chris Yip-Au did not play in the night's main event, but she pulled off a feat managed only once before at the National Stadium - by Brazil superstar Neymar no less.
The Barcelona forward put four past Japan when Singapore hosted the two teams in 2014, and Yip matched that feat yesterday with her four-goal salvo as Ario beat the Police Sports Association 5-0 in the third place play-off.
In the final, Warriors FC took 87 minutes to break down a resilient Woodlands Wellington side to triumph 2-0.
PENALTY
Warriors' No. 8 Sitianiwati Rosielin scored after being awarded a controversial 87th-minute penalty, and she found the back of the net again two minutes later from the top of the box to break Woodlands' hearts.
The Sports Hub had blocked out this weekend to host the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup semi-finals.
But, with the Lions failing to survive a group featuring Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, the Sports Hub managed to keep football at the stadium with the women.
An estimated 1,000 people watched the games yesterday. The Sports Hub's chief executive Manu Sawhney enjoyed the spectacle with Lim Kia Tong, president of the FAS' provisional council.
"It's wonderful to have been able to host the finals of the FAS Women's Challenge Cup tonight and see the women footballers take centre stage in the National Stadium for the very first time, with the entire crowd cheering them on," Sawhney told The New Paper.
"We look forward to more such occasions in the future."
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