Story and pictures contributed by reader Marvin Lowe.
CCAB, Tuesday, May 13, 2008 – They say that a battle between siblings is often the bloodiest. When Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) met Anglo-Chinese Junior College on the hockey field, it was a no-holds-barred, winner-take-all game. The situation was precarious as ACJC needed to win by more than two goals to qualify while ACS(I) also needed to score more than two goals, but to qualify as top seed for the group. With all the elements set for a dramatic finish, both teams fought hard to the end.
ACJC nearly had a disastrous start when a routine back pass was overhit and went past the last man. The goalkeeper was alert and immediately rushed out to kick the ball away. However he could only kick the ball to an ACS(I) player who took a quick pot shot at goal with defenders closing down on him. Luckily for ACJC, the shot went wide of the target. ACS(I) continued their barrage on the ACJC goal, earning penalty corners along the way. ACS(I) came close to taking the lead when a deflected shot hit the top of the post. The key player for these set plays was ACS(I)’s #69 Jaspreet Singh and he showed a lethal range with his shots. It was not long before half-time when ACS(I) converted their first set play. A routine set-up saw the ball worked to Jaspreet who smashed a wonderful shot to the bottom corner of the goal.
Not satisfied with the single goal, ACS(I) kept up the pressure attacking ACJC. Right after the break, from yet another penalty corner, Jaspreet hit the ball hard goalwards and the ball found its way into the goal again. With two goals in the bag, the ACS(I) team seemed content to contain ACJC’s passage of play. In another comedy of errors, the ACS(I) goalkeeper rushed out to kick the ball but missed the ball. This allowed the ACJC forward to sneak in for the easiest of tap-ins. Now with all to play for, the ACJC team found renewed vigour to attack again.
However it was not to be. ACS(I) winger Roshen took the ball away from an ACJC player and launched a counter attack on his own. A wonderful solo effort saw him running straight towards goal and he delivered the killer knockout blow with a well-taken shot. A fourth goal was added with the clock winding down, sealing the fate of ACJC. It was a well-fought match between the two teams but once ACS(I) peeled ahead, it was hard for ACJC to catch up. ACS(I) will now face St Andrew’s JC in the semi-finals on 16th May (Friday).
Ed's note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, feel free to leave the names behind in the comments section and we will update the captions accordingly. Thanks!
Benedict Chen (#4), ACSI, not really a fabregas. but he’s got really really good reading of the game and protects the D from long hits which opponents send into the D. truly an asset to the ACSI A Div Hockey team. thanks buddy.
BenChen from team acsi is like fabregas. he deserves more coverage
no sa do not have
huh? which 3?
doesnt sa have 3 primier players?
well rj’s got national players, and more premier league first team players than acsi does, sajc has none.
looks like its gonna be talent against tactics. danker’s a smart man, but i doubt the material he has to work with will be enough to stem the tide of (putrid) green and white.
lady luck’s a biatch aint she?
random, must agree with u there. acsi players, all of us, were just very nervous that day. a few reasons for that, but nevermind, not here.
hocker, i’d say that acsi, just like sajc, wanted it and surely got it too, it was all a matter of nerves that day. however, that said, looking forward to watching a good, clean, final between rjc and sajc.