ACOLYTES AND RULANG SERVE UP A NINE-GOAL THRILLER

Week 2 of the Sunday Premier League may have featured just one fixture from Division 1, but it delivered enough excitement to fill an entire weekend. Only two of the nine Division 1 teams were in action, as Acolytes FC squared off against Rulang FC at Woodlands Secondary School in a match that produced nine goals and end-to-end drama. Acolytes entered the contest looking to bounce back from their narrow defeat to Bukit Timah AS on opening weekend, while Rulang were making their first-ever appearance in the X-League. The match lived up to its billing as both sides came out firing, trading blows in an open, high-tempo encounter that kept spectators on their feet. In the end, it was Acolytes FC who emerged victorious with a 6–3 win, though the scoreline was harsh on Rulang, who conceded twice in the final two minutes, including an unfortunate own goal. The visitors showed attacking flair throughout, with Wei Li, Dinie Tukiman, Soumya Brata Das (who netted a brace), and Muhammad Fadhli all finding the net. Their sharpness in the final third ultimately proved the difference on the day. Despite the defeat, Rulang FC earned plenty of plaudits for their performance and resilience. John Singh and Chee Rui impressed with their tireless work rate and attacking contributions, while for Acolytes, Abdul Rahim and Wei Li stood out with commanding performances that helped steer their side to a much-needed first win of the campaign. It was a baptism of fire for Rulang FC, but their spirited showing suggests they will not be pushovers this season. With both teams showing plenty of attacking intent, Division 1 looks set for more fireworks in the coming weeks. Season 17 of the X-League is proudly sponsored by Agent Azhar Sulaiman, Hombre, Dendeng Duo and Grandsport Singapore.