Pictures and story by REDintern Maryam Nasihah

The team celebrates after Zuladly (RP #14) scored the first of his 3 goals against NP. (Photo 1 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)

Republic Polytechnic, Monday, January 12, 2009 – Republic Polytechnic (RP) beat Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) 5-2 to earn their first win to move up to the top of Group B in the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Football Championship.

Republic broke their goal drought within five minutes when a poor clearance by Ngee Ann's custodian, Boon Yang (#13), was blocked by RP's target man, Zuladly (#14), which causes the ball to trickle back into the goal.

The early goal was just what RP needed to boost their morale after failing to score in both their previous matches despite having a lot of opportunities to do so.

However, NP were not affected by that early goal and managed to grab an equalizer when Fariss (#14) headed the ball into the net from a pin-point corner kick.

Moments later, NP executed a carbon copy of their first goal with skipper Saiful (#2) the scorer to expose RP’s vulnerability to set-pieces.

With five minutes to the half-time break, an NP defender allowed the ball to bounce in front him. When Gabriel Quak (#7) of RP pressured him, he committed a reckless tackle and the referee pointed to the penalty spot for the foul.

RP’s Suhari (#24) stepped up and coolly slotted the ball home to make it 2-2 before going into the break.

After the half-time break, both teams tried to take the lead to improve their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals.

It was RP that took the lead again when Zuladly (#14) exchanged a quick one-two pass with Asyraf (#23) before the former lashed a long-range shot into the top corner of the goal with NP's keeper rooted to the ground to make it 3-2.

Zuladly(#14) then completed his hat-trick when RP's captain Fariduddin (#8) whipped in an accurate in-swinger for him to tap in from close range.

Up 4-2, RP's S.League winger Gabriel Quak (#7) scored another goal to make it 5-2 with practically the last kick of the game when his low free-kick was fumbled by NP's keeper.

Results
RP 5 – NP 2
ITE 2 – SIM 0

Group B Standings
(team: wins-draws-losses)

RP 1-1-1
ITE 1-1-0
SIM 1-0-1
NP 0-2-1
SMU 0-2-0