Pictures and story by REDintern Maryam Nasihah
An NYP player chases down a pass on the wings. (Photo 1 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
Nanyang Polytechnic, Friday, January 23, 2009- Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) thrashed Republic Polytechnic (RP) 5-2 to advance to the final of the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Football Championship (SR Nathan Cup).
NYP, champions for the past two years, proved too strong for Republic Polytechnic as they controlled play, moving the ball forward efficiently through disciplined, well-structured football.
They have not faced serious challenges in the championship so far and in the view of most will go in to the final as favourites. Taking to the pitch without injured national player Hariss Harun, NYP still boasted several experience players in Farhan Farook, Hafiz Abu Sujad, Zulfadli Zainal Abidin and the speedy Raymond Kwa.
It took them just 10 minutes to score two goals and RP were left wondering what hit them. The first goal came after RP's Joel Tan intercepted a low cross from the flanks but presented it to NYP’s Muhd Irfan to slot home the first goal of the night.
After that, Zulfadli raced past the RP defence and had his one-on-one shot saved by RP custodian Sharil Satar. The rebound however fell to NYP’s Cheng Chuan who slot it home into the empty net to make it 2-0.
It wasn't long before the third goal for NYP arrived via Muhd Irfan who headed home after RP keeper Sharil punched a freekick back into the danger area.
The second half began the same way as the first half, with NYP attacking RP. The fourth NYP goal duly arrived through Muhd Irfan who completed his hat-trick.
RP managed to pull a goal back through the competition’s top-scorer Zuladly who scored after rounding the goalkeeper, to make it 4-1. However, NYP replied almost instantly after RP's Suhari misjudged a long ball and the ball found its way to NYP's Hafiz Sujad who scored to make it 5-1.
The last goal of the night fell to RP’s Zuladly again after he tapped home an in swinging free kick from captain Fariduddin.
NYP will now face the National University of Singapore who defeated the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) on penalties at the other semi-final. The game finished 1-1 after full-time.
Raymond Kwa of NYP dribbles down the flank as RP’s Muhd Faizal gives chase. (Photo 2 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
RP goalkeeper Shahril Satar (#10) commands the wall as Farhan Farook of NYP prepares to takes a free kick. (Photo 3 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
Raymond Kwa of NYP (left) unleashes a cross… (Photo © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
…which was eventually met by Muhd Irfan of NYP who scored to complete his hat-trick in their 5-2 win. (Photo 5 © Maryam Nasihah/Red Sports)
indeed nyp taught rp a good football lesson. what do u expect from a squad which only have 2 club players? instead, i think, they did better than other polys which boast much more club players which in turn are supposed to be there in the semis instead of rp. oh wells.
Gotta thank my friends who help me throughout 🙂
NYP gave RP a good football lesson!
Thanks, Maryam. Nice pics and story. Hard to do both but you did it.