Law Society Annual Soccer Shield 2004

This year’s tournament saw eight teams taking part in the Annual Soccer Shield 2004, namely Allen & Gledhill, Drew & Napier LLC, Clifford Chance Wong, Rodyk & Davidson, Rajah & Tann, Ang & Partners/Harry Elias Partnership, Legal Service and Mergers & Acquisitions.

The above teams were drawn into the following two groups:

Group A

Mergers & Acquisitions, Rodyk & Davidson, Allen & Gledhill, Ang & Partners/Harry Elias Partnership

Group B

Legal Service, Rajah & Tann, Clifford Chance Wong,  Drew & Napier LLC

Last year’s finalists, Mergers & Acquisitions and Legal Service were seeded and thus drawn into separate groups.

Preliminary Rounds

The preliminary rounds for Groups A and B were played on 12 and 19 September 2004 respectively at Tanglin pitches three and four.

Group A saw some unexpected results in the preliminary rounds. Allen & Gledhill started off with an excellent result and a slim single goal victory over tournament favourites Mergers & Acquisitions. Putting to rest all doubts over their credentials, Mergers & Acquisitions came back with a bang to take the scalps of Ang & Partners and Rodyk & Davidson, with the latter match a classic come-from-behind 3–2 victory.

Allen & Gledhill were, however, not to be denied their top spot and emerged unbeaten in the group, relying on their crack defence and their main man, striker Kok Tsung Hao. The dark horse turned out to be credible title contenders after all. Allen & Gledhill and Mergers & Acquisitions topped the group in that order leaving Rodyk & Davidson, perennial tournament challengers, wondering where it all went wrong.

Group B results went as expected, to form, with the favourites, Legal Service, the current title holders, taking top spot with minimum fuss, starting with two comfortable wins before easing off in their final game with the top spot ensured.

This left the challenge for second spot open to the other three teams. Clifford Chance Wong grabbed their chances and deservedly took the runners-up spot, with an impressive 5–1 win over Drew & Napier in their final game.

The eight teams finished in the following positions in their respective groups:

 Group A                                               P         W         D          L          F           A         Pts

Allen & Gledhill                                                  3          2           1          0         5           1          7

Mergers & Acquisitions                                    3          2           0          1          7          3          6

Rodyk & Davidson                                             3          0           2          1          4          5          2

Ang & Partners/Harry Elias Partnership        3           0          1          2          1          8       1

Group B                                               P         W         D          L           F          A         Pts

Legal Service                                        3          2           1          0           7          2         7

Clifford Chance Wong                       3          2           0          1           7          6         6

Rajah & Tann                                      3          1           1          1           5          5         4

Drew & Napier LLC                            3          0           0          3           2          8         0

Final Rounds

Unlike last year’s tournament, the format for this year was changed slightly.

The top two teams in each group would face-off in cross-over semi-finals for the Cup competition, whilst the third placed teams in each group would face-off in the Plate final. The fourth placed teams would then play in the third/fourth placing match in the Plate competition.

Plate Competition

The Plate Final was played between Rodyk & Davidson and Rajah & Tann, whilst the Plate 3rd placing match, between Drew & Napier LLC and Ang & Partners/Harry Elias Partnership. The final outcome of both matches was as follows:

Plate Final (Pitch 3)

Rodyk & Davidson                        0     3              Rajah & Tann

Plate 3rd placing (Pitch 4)

Ang & Partners/Harry                     1    1             Drew & Napier LLC

Elias Partnership                                                               

Ang & Partners / Harry Elias Partnership won 5–4 on penalties

Cup Competition

The 1st Cup Semi-final saw Clifford Chance Wong take on Allen & Gledhill. In a tense game, with both teams creating but wasting chances, it ended at a stalemate after full time. The mandatory penalty shoot-out then ensued with Allen & Gledhill displaying greater control of their nerves and eventually emerging victorious 4–1. A place in the finals beckoned.

The stage was then set for the 2nd Cup Semi-final that pitted the finalists from last year’s tournament, Legal Service and Mergers & Acquisitions. It was to be revenge for one team or a chance to cement their reputation for the other. And sweet revenge it was, as Mergers & Acquisitions dominated the game and seized victory with two well taken goals.

Cup Semi-Final 1 (Pitch 3)

Allen & Gledhill                    0          0       Clifford Chance Wong

Allen & Gledhill won 4–1 on penalties

Cup Semi-Final 2 (Pitch 4)

Mergers & Acquisitions       2         0        Legal Service

The Cup Final and the Cup 3rd placing matches were thereafter played at the Oval pitch at Tanglin and ample supporters showed up to lend their support to their favoured teams.

The final matches this year were graced by the presence of His Honourable Justice Choo Han Teck who kindly accepted the Law Society’s invitation to the game and to present the prizes thereafter.

As usual, the Cup 3rd placing match took place first, with Clifford Chance Wong taking on Legal Service. In a close game, dominated by possession football, Legal Service edged out Clifford Chance Wong by a solitary goal from Choon Kiat and finished up in third place.

Cup 3rd Placing (The Oval)

Legal Service                          1          0       Clifford Chance Wong

The Cup Final match pitted Mergers & Acquisitions and Allen & Gledhill. With their earlier round defeat to Allen & Gledhill still fresh on their minds, Mergers & Acquisitions made their intentions known early on with some incessant attacks. Allen & Gledhill, however, held their own and defended creditably, keeping their opponents at bay and looking for the counter-attack. At half-time, it was a 0–0 stalemate.

The second half started off in much the same vein, and midway through, Mergers & Acquisitions finally broke the deadlock with a worthy goal befitting the championship game. Mergers & Acquisitions midfielder Daniel took the ball outside the penalty box, went past a couple of defenders and smashed an unstoppable shot over the keeper into the far corner of the net. Of course, most of Daniel’s friends felt that he had mis-hit the ball instead.

Cup Final (The Oval)

Mergers & Acquisitions        1         0       Allen & Gledhill

All in all, it was a satisfying end to the tournament, which the spectators enjoyed thoroughly.

After the Cup Final, spectators and players alike enjoyed a buffet spread following which, His Honour Justice Choo gave away prizes to all the winning teams.

His Honour also presented individual prizes to the Top Scorer of the Tournament, Mr Kok Tsung Hao from Allen & Gledhill, as well as the inaugural M & A Law Corporation Best Player of the Tournament Award (‘M & A Award’) to Mr Hui Choon Kuen (Legal Service).

The M & A Award, which consists of a trophy plaque and sports vouchers worth S$250, was kindly sponsored by M & A Law Corporation and this year’s Award was decided by a panel of judges comprising Mr Lim Kia Tong, Mr Bala Chandran and Mr Nasser Ismail, appointed by the Sports Committee.

In summary, the final standings for this year’s Annual Soccer Shield is as follows:

Final Standings

Cup

1 Mergers & Acquisitions

2 Allen & Gledhill

3 Legal Service

4 Clifford Chance Wong

Plate

1 Rajah & Tann

2 Rodyk & Davidson

3 Ang & Partners/Harry Elias Partnership

4 Drew & Napier LLC

Top Scorer

Kok Tsung Hao, 4 goals (Allen & Gledhill)

M & A Law Corporation Best Player Award

Hui Choon Kuen (Legal Service)

On behalf of the organising committee, I would like to record our sincerest thanks to His Honour Justice Choo Han Teck, as well as Mr Philip Jeyaretnam, SC, the President of the Law Society of Singapore and Mr Chelva Rajah, SC, for their attendance at this year’s Tournament.

Last but not least, I would also like to thank Mr Abdul Rahim for his ever-present assistance throughout.

Alvin Chang

Organising Committee

Law Society Annual Soccer Shield 2004

The Law Society of Singapore

Photo captions:

Cup 3rd Place — Legal Service

Cup Runners-up — Allen & Gledhill

Cup Champions — Mergers & Acquisitions

Top Scorer — Kok Tsung Hao (Allen & Gledhill)

Soccer Shield Champions 2004 — Mergers & Acquisitions

M & A Law Corporation Best Player — Hui Choon Kuen (Legal Service)

His Honourable Justice Choo with the Law Society President,

Mr Philip Jeyaretnam, SC