By REDintern Horatio Ho

Victoria Junior College, Wednesday, April 6, 2011 — Defending champions Victoria Junior College (VJC) continued their unbeaten start to the National A Division Girls’ Football Championship season with another big win when they beat NUS High 8-0.

VJC have now scored 21 goals and conceded none in two games. Hwa Chong Institution beat National Junior College 2-0 in the earlier game.

VJC captain Priscilla Tan (#18) notched a hat-trick, while Chris Yip-Au (#10) and Tan Min Yee (#19) both grabbed two goals each. Sarah Long (#8) got a goal to round off the scorers.

The goal tally could have been much higher if not for the heroics of NUS High goalkeeper Wardah (#1), who made many crucial stops and even saved a penalty.

VJC were quick out the blocks and got off to a bright start, earning a corner kick in the first minute, but it was cleared to safety by a resilient NUS High defense. However, soon after, Chris Yip-Au (#10) beat two defenders with a mazy dribble and shot past the NUS High keeper for the opening goal.

Tan Min Yee (#19) soon added to the scoreline by poking in a rebound after it had come loose from a Chris (#10) corner. Captain Priscilla Tan (#18) then got the third goal, heading powerfully into the corner of the net after a beautiful long-distance free kick taken by Chris (#10).

It was all VJC at the moment and at half time, the score line stood at 3-0 only because NUS High keeper Wardah (#1) was in inspired form, making many crucial stops and saves.

The start of the second half saw VJC continue their onslaught on the NUS High goal and soon, a penalty was awarded to VJC after a mess in the NUS High penalty area. However, the spot kick by Sarah Long (#8) was well held by Wardah (#1) after Sarah (#8) had aimed for the right of the keeper.

Wardah (NUS High #1) was however unable to do anything when VJC Captain Priscilla Tan (#18) added a fourth goal about two minutes after the penalty.

As VJC continued dominating the play and attacking the NUS High goal, it looked like it had turned into a duel between the NUS High keeper Wardah (#1) and the entire VJC strikeforce. Wardah was playing extremely well, and denied VJC several times more before VJC centre-back Tan Min Yee (#19) made it 6-0 after a goalmouth scramble for her second goal of the game.

Chris Yip-Au (#10) then got VJC’s seventh and her second with a shot from outside the box that whistled past the NUS High keeper, who failed to keep it out after a despairing dive. Captain Priscilla Tan (#18) then got her hat-trick after another goalmouth scramble before Sarah Long (#8) made amends for her penalty miss and sealed the win with a powerful shot into the top right corner that bulged the net after pouncing on a rebound.

Despite the heavy loss, NUS High coach Mr Soh was full of praise for their goalie Wardah (#1).

“She played very well and had a good game. VJC are generally a strong team and caught us off on set pieces,” he said, adding that Wardah’s performance deserved credit as she denied VJC many times.

He also saw positives in his team’s play, saying: “I am very happy with their first half performance as they were very organized. I hope we can stay organized in our future games.”

VJC coach Mr Lim was also “pleased with how they were as a team, and pleased with their overall performance.” He felt that “they (NUS High) had a fantastic keeper with good technique, credit to the keeper (Wardah) and her coach” and saw many good things in this game that they can bring forward to their next game, such as organization and team play.

VJC Captain Priscilla Tan (#18) was happy with her hat-trick, admitting it was a pleasant surprise as “I just play my best for the team and see the outcome”.

Chris Yip-Au (#10), who had a hand in 4 goals, felt that she could have played better and taken her chances more, but was happy that her team worked hard, and played well.

VJC next take on Innova Junior College on Wednesday, April 13, while NUS High take on National Junior College on the same day in the earlier time slot.

National A Division Girls’ Football Championship — Fixtures and Results