"Class meets class": What happened to the Tigers in Super APAC?
The WAB Tigers entered the 2024 Super APAC tournament with the roar of the crowd in their ears. Ranked second and teeming with talent, they were favorites to top their group, steering clear of their fierce rivals, the HKIS Dragons, until the finals. However, their opening match against the CA Falcons proved challenging. Oskar, the school’s history top scorer, managed to equalize with a well-placed goal, redeeming an early slip that allowed CA to take the lead. As the game neared its end, Atlegang, another key forward, had the golden chance to clinch victory but his shot soared just over the crossbar, leaving the match tied at 1-1.
In game two, against the AISG Rams, the Tigers were hell-bent on making up for the first game's draw. The high-tempo, relentless pressing style of play was too much for the Rams to handle. The depth and talent that made them contenders were on display in a stunning 15-0 victory, which included goals from Atlegang, Ryuno, Benji, Jett, Leon, Oskar, Liam, and Louis—who scored his first varsity goal—among others.
Continuing their quest, the Tigers faced the Brent Lions in their third group match. Atlegang and Liam were in fine form, their goals propelling WAB to a 3-1 win. Despite a plethora of chances, more goals eluded them, which crucially impacted their goal difference and consequently, their position in the group. Finishing second meant a premature clash with the dreaded Hong Kong Dragons in the quarterfinals.
Under the relentless downpour, the quarterfinals morphed into a battleground. The Hong Kong Dragons controlled the pace, breaking through with a stunning long-range strike. A rare error from WAB's usually reliable goalie compounded their troubles, allowing a second goal. Despite spirited attempts by Oskar and Liam, the Dragons' goalie thwarted every advance. The match ended in defeat, dashing the Tigers' championship dreams.
After their grueling match against HKIS, the Tigers were exhausted. Returning to face the Brent Lions, they discovered they had slowed down and were less effective in their attacks. Their fate was sealed in a close 0-1 loss due to a devastating own goal. There was obvious frustration as opportunity after opportunity passed them by, forcing them to compete for seventh place against Concordia, the host team.
In their final match, the Tigers found solace and redemption. Facing Concordia, they roared back to life with a resounding 6-0 victory. Oskar's hat-trick, alongside goals from Atlegang and Max, allowed the team to end the tournament on a high note, securing seventh place with dignity and pride.
The Tigers returned home with mixed emotions. Scoring 25 goals and conceding only 5 throughout the tournament, their prowess was undeniable. Yet, soccer, in its beauty and cruelty, had not favored them this time. The tournament was a testament to their strength and spirit, and though they finished seventh, the heart and soul they displayed proved they were champions in their own right.
"Class meets class" is how the HKIS Dragons described their quarterfinals opponents on social media. Rivals on the field, but out of it, the Tigers approached their new soccer brothers, the Dragons, to request a group photo with the 2024 Super APAC runners-up.
The Tigers' chants were insufficient to help the Dragons win the final. The SFS Crusaders won the trophy on penalties against a HKIS squad that resented the energy lost in the quarterfinals against WAB.
APAC 2025 will bring us all back together as the Tigers head to Hong Kong in search of the trophy they believe is theirs.