By REDintern Horatio Ho. Photos by REDintern Jason Koh

national a division football

Samantha Tan (#4) takes a shot at goal. (Photo 1 © Jason Koh)

Victoria Junior College, Wednesday, April 27, 2011 — Victoria Junior College (VJC) took another big step towards defending their title with a 4-0 victory over Meridian Junior College (MJC) in the National A Division Girls’ Football Championship. The win ensured VJC finished top of their group.

Despite the rather one-sided scoreline, the game was much closer. From the beginning, both VJC and MJC pushed forward in numbers to get the crucial opening goal, leaving themselves open to counterattacks.

However, it was VJC that got the breakthrough within the first 10 minutes. The MJC keeper came off her line to collect a loose ball but before she could reach it, VJC striker Samantha Tan (#4) pushed it past her and it guided it into an empty net.

This seemed like a wake-up call for MJC, who then won two corner kicks in quick succession after pushing up. This, however, meant that VJC had lots of space in their opponent’s half after playing long balls out of defense, and this duly led to the second goal. A cross caused some confusion in the MJC penalty area, before a MJC defender headed the ball back towards her keeper, and it unfortunately bounced out of the keeper’s arms and into the net for a 2-0 VJC lead at half time.

The second half saw a completely different game unfold, with VJC unwilling to sit back and defend their lead, and instead forcing MJC back into their own half. MJC looked dangerous on the counterattack, with their #4 embarking on some mazy runs into the VJC half from her own half before being dispossessed by a resilient VJC backline.

VJC managed to grab a third goal when Tan Min Yee (#19) made the most of a goalmouth scramble to poke the ball into the net.

VJC were increasing the tempo of the game, playing quick attacking football, and this led to corner kicks in quick succession for the home side. From one such corner kick, Chris Yip-Au (#10) floated in a high, lofted ball that was met with a firm header by VJC captain Priscilla Tan (#18) for VJC’s fourth goal.

At this point, VJC were dominating the play, and were unlucky on numerous occasions not to have increased their lead. Sarah Long (#8) and Chris Yip-Au (#10) both hit the woodwork after some good play, and Chris (#10) also had a few chances that whistled just over the bar.

The game then died down in the dying stages before the referee blew the full time whistle for a 4-0 victory to VJC.

This result means that VJC top Group A with a formidable record of 5 games played, 5 wins, 32 goals scored and none conceded, while MJC also qualify for the second round with 4 games won and 1 game lost, with 10 goals scored and 4 conceded.

National A Division Girls’ Football Championship — full fixtures and results

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