Group C qualification still wide open after RI-ACJC clash postponed in A Division football

Story by Kenneth Tan/Red Sports. Photos by Tan Jon Han/Red Sports

Serangoon Junior College, Thursday, April 15, 2010 – Rain and lightning once again disrupted the A Division Football Championship, causing two rescheduled Group D fixtures to be further postponed.

One clash in particular, between Raffles Institution (RI) and Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC), had to be abandoned with 16 minutes left to play. The match was locked at 1-1 after 64 minutes of action before it was disrupted by the elements.

Taking on already-qualified RI, it was no surprise ACJC possessed more hunger and desire for the match and duly dominated throughout.

They created their first opportunity within a minute of the kickoff when forward, #8, shot just wide of the right-hand post after a cross from the left by #22.

Eight minutes later, they created another. A long ball out of defence by full back, #15 fell between RI goalkeeper Andrew Chua Rui Ming (#1) and forward, #10. Under pressure from the #10, Andrew Chua briefly lost the ball before smothering it in the end.

They came the closest on 28 minutes when #8 appeared to flick a header towards the bottom left corner after a corner whipped in by #23 on the right. However Andrew Chua stayed alert to tip the ball wide.

Meanwhile RI also had a couple of goalscoring opportunities in the first half.

On 24 minutes, full back Hoang The Huan (#14) nearly scored a replica of his goal against Jurong JC when his inswinging corner from the left nearly went straight in before it came right off the bar.

10 minutes later, forward Vuong Gia Hieu went on a superb run and shrugged aside three ACJC defenders before attempting a curling shot just inside the box. However the effort went straight to the ACJC goalie, #19.

ACJC's aggressive style of play was getting no favours from the strict referee as three players were booked in the space of seven minutes.

On the stroke of half-time, a red card was finally brandished. The ACJC captain, #4, who was already booked earlier, tripped RI captain Muhammad Nuri (#5) at the edge of the penalty area while the latter was clearing the ball. He was duly sent off for his troubles.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, ACJC made a strong start to the second half and deservedly drew first blood on 48 minutes.

A cross from the left by their #22 released #the 8 into the box. The latter's scuffed shot fell kindly to ACJC midfielder #23, inside the box. #23 swivelled past one RI defender before shooting into the bottom left corner of the goal. Despite getting a touch to it, RI goalie Andrew Chua was unable to keep the ball out.

However RI managed to come out of their blocks and managed to equalise just five minutes later.

A corner whipped in by full back Nguyen Duy Anh (#12) from the right saw midfielder Ong Zhi Hao (#18) getting an excellent connection by heading it into the top left corner of the goal. The goal managed to silence the huge crowd of ACJC supporters who cranked up the volume after the opening goal.

However just when the action was about to heat up on the pitch, the lightning signal system went off to signal a premature end to the match. It was eventually postponed.

With three fixtures left to play, qualification for the quarter-finals could be decided by marginal difference with four teams still in the hunt to finish in the all-important second spot behind RI.

Jurong Junior College (JJC) currently hold the spot with seven points from four games played, with Serangoon Junior College (SRJC) and Nanyang Junior College (NYJC) lying just behind on six points each. Fifth-placed ACJC are on four points from three games played.

ACJC will next play NYJC on Tuesday, 20 April in a must-win clash to keep their qualification hopes for the quarter finals alive.

Remaining Group C fixtures (Rescheduled)
Tuesday, 20 April - 3pm – ACJC vs NYJC, Venue: St Wilfred Sports Complex
Thursday, 22 April - 3pm – JJC vs SRJC – Venue: SRJC
Friday, 23 April - 3pm – RI vs ACJC – Venue: St Wilfred Sports Complex

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