FOOTBALL

National ‘A’ Division
Innova Junior College vs Millenia Institute
Thursday, 19th April 2007at  Innova Junior College

Story and pictures by Lai Jun Wei, a student photojournalist from Innova Junior College. Thanks, Jun Wei!
 
 
It was an afternoon of determination and controversy as Millennia Institute (MI) battled Innova Junior College (IJC) on their home ground in the ‘A’ division inter-school soccer tournament. MI scored the only goal of the match during the first half to beat Innova 1-0.
 
The atmosphere was full of passion and drive as the supporters of IJC cheered enthusiastically. Not even the heavy downpour that descended in the middle of the first half could dampen their spirits. The players of both schools did not let the rain affect their game as they dashed and slid around the field, amidst the splashing mud and torrential rain. This photographer was drenched to the skin and had two of his lenses "damaged" but the gusto shown by both sides during their match made every second out in the storm worth it.

Aidil of IJC (in orange) gets his shot off before a challenge from MI. © Lai Jun Wei
 
Vice-captain Nigel Pek from IJC rallied the team on as he kicked off shots. There were many tackles by both sides which resulted in several MI players reeling in the mud at different points in time. However, even IJC’s goalkeeper Dinie(IJC no. 25) wasn’t spared as he was tackled while trying to save another shot. Ironically, there were only two yellow cards flashed during the game: one to Muhammad Farhan (no.24) of IJC and another to Mohd Nasrullah (no.10) of MI. However, there were plenty of free kicks to spice up the game as both sides applied continuous pressure on each other. MI’s coach yelled instructions to his players from the sidelines despite the rain, and it paid off as MI successfully managed to fend of wave after wave of attacks from the Innova side. The wet and muddy field didn’t help much as players slipped and many had their jerseys caked in a layer of mud while trying to gain possession. The spectators cheered loudly as goalkeepers from both sides blocked shots from opponents in a way that would put brave men to shame. IJC goalkeeper Dinie (no.25) received one of the most rousing cheers for his fearsome defending, second only to the marked Palvin Singh (IJC no.20), the crowd favourite, for his daring dodges from his MI marker.   A second goal in the final minutes by MI was disallowed by the referee to the ‘boos’ of many of the MI supporters.

Palvin Singh of IJC was a crowd favourite for his play on the field. © Lai Jun Wei
 
The players might have left the field and the spectators might have gone home. Yet the voices of the IJ supporters with their " IJ boleh! IJ ole! " will still resound throughout the grandstand for days to come.

Dinie, the goalkeeper of IJC goes up for the ball. © Lai Jun Wei

IJC’s Captain Vicky (in orange) vies for the ball with an MI player. © Lai Jun Wei

The referee giving Aidil of IJC a warning after a bad tackle. © Lai Jun Wei