Vastatores edge FootPanda to stay top

Week 8 of Season 17 in the X-League Sunday Premier League saw a reduced slate of fixtures in Division 3. There are eight teams in the division and only two of the eight teams were in action this week, with a single clash taking centre stage. League leaders FC Vastatores faced a stern test against fifth placed FootPanda FC in what turned out to be a tightly contested encounter. The match unfolded as a classic game of two halves, with both sides enjoying periods of dominance. FootPanda started brightly and took control of the opening 40 minutes with their high tempo pressing and sharp attacking play. Their efforts paid off when Ibad Khalid found the breakthrough, finishing clinically to give FootPanda a 1-0 lead heading into the interval. Vastatores struggled to impose themselves early on and were second best for much of the first half. The second half, however, saw a different FC Vastatores side emerge. They stepped up the intensity, moved the ball quicker and began to stretch the FootPanda defence. The equaliser arrived in the 51st minute when Benjamin Ng produced a composed finish to bring Vastatores level. With momentum now firmly on their side, Vastatores continued to press forward in search of a winner. FootPanda remained resilient and looked dangerous on the counter, but it was the league leaders who delivered the decisive moment. Effendi Elias struck eight minutes from time to complete the turnaround and seal a hard fought 2-1 victory. The win sees FC Vastatores move up to 16 points and extend their lead at the top of the table, strengthening their position as early frontrunners in Division 3. Special mention goes to Abdul Razak for his Man of the Match performance for FC Vastatores, while Azam Hamin impressed for FootPanda FC with a strong display. Season 17 of the X-League is proudly sponsored by Agent Azhar Sulaiman, Hombre, Dendeng Duo and Grandsport Singapore.