IVP Football: Temasek Poly win first-ever championship with 1-0 victory over ITE

Story and photos by Les Tan/Red Sports

ITE College West, Monday, March 21, 2011 — A 61st minute Eugene Luo penalty was enough to give Temasek Polytechnic their first-ever Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Football Championship title.

Temasek Poly had to see off the challenge of a combined Institute of Technical Education team who were the heavy favourites to lay their hands on the S R Nathan Challenge Trophy.

President Nathan was on hand to witness the final and together with the schools’ supporters, witnessed Aqhari Abdullah (ITE #8) miss a penalty in the 78th minute that would have levelled the game at 1-1. Temasek Poly had the services of Young LIons’ Jasper Chan in goal and the 1.83m goalie dived correctly to his right to make the save.

“It was just a lucky guess,” said Jasper of his penalty save.

Jasper again saved another certain goal in the 83rd minute when his legs denied Azfar Bin Zainal Abidin (ITE #3) who was left all alone in the penalty box with only Jasper to beat.

The game was marred by a lot of late fouls and the referee handed out 11 yellow cards and one red. At the final whistle, an angry ITE #4 pushed the referee and an assistant referee and he had to be restrained by his team. The referee recorded the incident in his match report.

After a forgettable first half where the only excitement was Muhd Zulkifli (ITE #17) hitting the side netting, the second half started more promisingly with Temasek Poly having two early chances which they did not convert.

ITE threatened more down the left with the pace and skill of Zulkifli (ITE #17) giving the Temasek defence constant problems. However, Jasper Chan was always there to clean up for his defence.

A corner in the 60th minute led to the penalty. The referee spotted Fadli (ITE #15) tugging at Navaneethan (TP #6) and gave Temasek Poly a penalty, leaving the ITE players incensed, which would spill out later in the game and at the final whistle.

Eugene Luo sent the ball past a static Khairul Annuar in the ITE goal for a 1-0 Temasek Poly lead.

Temasek Poly looked comfortable as they absorbed the subsequent ITE attacks but farcical defending eventually led to the ITE penalty. A failure to clear the ball – with one Temasek Poly player even sending it back into his penalty box – eventually led to Alistair Tan hauling down an ITE player with a mistimed tackle to earn his second yellow. The referee had no choice but to send him off.

Aqhari (ITE #18), the regular taker for his team, stepped up but his penalty was well-saved, and for the next minute or two, the player was seen covering his face with his jersey, such was his distress.

At the final whistle, it was all smiles for the 10-man Temasek Poly team and their bench.

“I feel honoured to lead this team to the cup. Credit must go to the whole team,” said Temasek Poly captain Eugene Luo. “We lost in the semis last year to ITE and so this is sweet revenge.”

The Temasek Poly team manager Tan Yeuan Huei was drenched with a bucket of ice water by his victorious team.

“It was a spirited performance,” said Yeuan Huei. “The team had good composure and discipline. Credit also goes to our coach Steven Tan.”

Temasek beat Republic Polytechnic 1-0 in the semi-finals to make the final. They finished top of their first round group with a 3-1 win-loss record, their only loss coming in a 1-2 reverse against Nanyang Polytechnic.

Nanyang Poly lost 2-4 to ITE in the other semi-final after penalty kicks. That match finished 1-1 in regulation time.

IVP Football Championship – First round group fixtures and results

Match Statistics
Temasek Polytechnic 1 Institute of Technical Education 0
Eugene Luo (61′, penalty)

Yellow Cards
Temasek
Alistair Tan (#19 – 2), Kharil Johari (#16), Abdul Rahim (#24), Eugene Luo (#11), Fadzly (#8)

ITE
Afiq (#5), Fadli (#15). Zulkifli (#17), Azfar (#3), unknown (#4)

Red Cards
Alistair Tan (TP, #19)

Temasek Poly Lineup
Jasper Chan (#18, goalie), Aziz (#2), Navaneethan (#6), Fadzly (#8), Saseetharan (#9), Eugene Luo (#11), Emmeric Ong (#12), Khairil Johari (#16), Haziq (#17), Alistair Tan (#19), Abdul Rahim (#24)

Subs: Naszry (#1), Cedric Poh (#4), Naresh Sivan (#10), Sim Shun Hai (#15), Mark Ong (#20), Justin Koh (#23), Alfa (#25), Justin Khiang (#26), Luqman (#40)

ITE Lineup
Khairul Annuar (#20, goalie), Azfar (#3), name unknown (#4), Afiq (#5), Fathullaharun (#10), Suria Prakash (#11), Zul Nor Farahin (#12, capt), Fadli (#15), Radin ABdullah (#16), Muhd Zulkifli (#17), Aqhari (#18)

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