Singapore’s Rudy Hesty (Jurong Central SC) claimed the 2025 TFAS Cup – a FISTF International Open – beating clubmate Bernard Lim 2-1 in a pulsating final.
The group stage kicked off with a thrilling match between Michael Choong and Ashley Tan. It was a close contest, but luck favored Ashley, who claimed victory with a score of 2-0. Our Aussie player, Hugh Best, showcased his skills by winning both of his matches, setting the stage for a decisive showdown against Bernard Lim to determine who would top the group. Although Hugh started strong, things took a turn after the first goal, and the final score ended up being a lopsided 6-0 in favor of Bernard.
There were also some surprising upsets, with the rising star Vikkram qualifying by winning two matches and drawing against seasoned veterans Vikas and Rizal. Another future talent, Nagulan, who missed the U16 event due to school commitments, made a remarkable comeback by winning two of his games and securing a spot in the quarterfinals.
The final quarterfinal matchups were:
– Rudy vs. Michael Choong
– Vikas vs. Hugh Best
– Bernard Lim vs. Vikkram
– Nagulan vs. Ashley Tan
The matchup between Rudy and Michael Choong came far too early in the tournament, as it truly had the makings of a final showdown—if only the draw had favored them! The usual tight contest between these two top Singapore players started off slowly, but once Rudy found the back of the net, he couldn’t be stopped. By the midway point of the second half, the score had ballooned to 4-0. Despite a spirited comeback effort from Michael, it ultimately fell short, with the final score ending at 4-2 in Rudy’s favor. What a match!
The match between Vikas and Hugh was a thrilling back-and-forth battle, with goals flying in rapid succession. Thankfully, the scoring frenzy only came to a halt with the final whistle, and Vikas emerged victorious with a score of 6-4. What an exhilarating contest!
The match between Bernard and Vikkram was initially expected to be an easy outing for the seasoned player. However, Vikkram stunned everyone by scoring two quick goals right out of the gate, putting Bernard on the back foot. Experience proved crucial in this contest, as Bernard fought back and managed to regain the lead by halftime, finishing the first half at 3-2. In the second half, the rising star Vikkram struggled to keep up, and Bernard ultimately secured a commanding victory with a final score of 6-2.
The match between Ashley and Nagulan was a classic showdown between Kebun Bahru subbuteo club teacher and student. Nagulan, eager to surprise his coach on what he hoped would be a bad day, quickly found that Ashley was simply too strong. A flurry of quick goals in the first half left Nagulan reeling, and despite his spirited effort, he ultimately succumbed to Ashley, finishing the match with a score of 1-5.
The semifinal matchups:
– Rudy vs.Vikas
– Bernard Lim vs.Ashley Tan
The matchup between Rudy and Vikas was a thrilling encounter. Many expected Rudy to breeze into the finals after taking an early lead, but the game took an unexpected turn. Vikas struck back with two stunning long-range goals, sending him into halftime with a 2-1 advantage. Rudy had to dig deep, equalizing midway through the second half, which brought forth his trademark celebration cheer of “Siiii!”
As the clock ticked down to the final 30 seconds, it seemed like the match was heading for extra time. However, Rudy managed to break through the heart of Vikas’s defense and scored the winning goal, prompting another exuberant “Siiiii!” The final score was 3-2 in favor of Rudy. What an exhilarating finish!
The match between Bernard and Ashley resembled a classic game of Subbuteo chess. Both players were cautious, unwilling to make any mistakes, resulting in a tightly contested game. However, Bernard’s superior strategic move allowed him to find the back of the net, ultimately securing a narrow victory of 1-0.
### Plate Final
In the Plate Final, Rizal Taib took on Nor Aniq, a remarkable 16-year-old who had already achieved a great feat by defeating more experienced players to reach this consolation final. However, Rizal proved to be a formidable opponent, and Aniq ultimately fell short, losing the match 4-0. Keep an eye on this young talent—next time he’s bound to surprise us all!
### The Open Final – Rudy vs. Bernard Lim
In a thrilling déjà vu, Rudy faced off against Bernard Lim in a rocky sequel of a final between Singapore’s top-seeded players. The game kicked off at a rapid pace, with both competitors vying for an early lead. Rudy struck first, skillfully maneuvering past the defense and scoring with a deflected shot that squeezed into the goal. As the first half concluded, Rudy held the advantage.
The second half began with Bernard applying relentless pressure, which ultimately paid off when a near trick shot trickled into the goal. With time running out, Rudy showcased his magic once again. He launched a swift attack down the right flank, weaving through the defense and delivering a shot that slipped past the keeper at the near post, effectively quashing Bernard’s comeback hopes.
The match ended 2-1 in Rudy’s favor, crowning him the 2025 TFAS Cup champion.
On Day One of the event, action showcased the Under 16 and veteran categories, and the atmosphere was electric! Throughout the games, everyone played with great enthusiasm, and by the end of the day, Edin Reyza emerged victorious in the Under 16s, while Michael Choong claimed the title in the veteran event. Nor Ariq and Bernard Lim proudly took home the runner-up spots in their respective categories. What a fantastic start to the tournament!
A huge thank you to the TFAS committee for organizing such a fantastic event and to Kebun Bahru CC for hosting. We look forward to seeing everyone again at our next tournament in June!
(report by Rudy Hesty)
