A Division Football: MJC beat SAJC 2-0 to remain undefeated

Story by Les Tan/Red Sports. Photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Victoria Junior College, Tuesday, May 10, 2011 — Meridian Junior College (MJC) beat St Andrew’s Junior College (SAJC) 2-0 to finish top of Group X in the second round of the National A Division Football Championship.

A goal each by Hairi (#23) and Saati (#19) in the second half ensured that MJC won their seventh consecutive game to remain unbeaten. An even more impressive statistic is that they have not let in a single goal so far in seven games while scoring 35. Only Victoria Junior College have scored more with goals with 40 in total.

“We were composed in midfield and we did well marking the key SA players,” said MJC coach Fabio Fanticelle Da Silva. “Our reserves like Kelvin (#6) and Saati (#19) did well coming off the bench.”

MJC put the ball into the net in the first half but a foul on the goalie by their #11 left the referee no choice but to disallow it. While MJC had more of the possession in the first half, SAJC still managed to create chances for themselves. Jonathan Goh (#9) showed vision when he played in Justin Tan (#2) with a nice pass for a free run on goal. However, Daniel Lightfoot was equal to his shot and gathered the shot safely.

Muhamad Syafiq Bidin (SAJC #5) then tested Lightfoot in goal again with a piledriver from outside the box but the MJC goalie made a splendid diving save to ensure that the score stayed 0-0 at half time.

SAJC started brightly in the second half and Neville Chia (#21) got his teammates hopes up briefly when his direct free kick almost sneaked into the top corner of the goal before Lightfoot saved. Then Tan Hong Ting (#22) had another chance to put SAJC ahead but he could only direct his volley from inside the penalty box straight at Lightfoot.

Then came MJC’s first goal. A pass bounced between two SAJC defenders and Hairi (#23) sneaked in. Left with only the goalie Nigel Tham (#24) to beat, he made no mistake.

SAJC kept their heads up and came close when Jonathan Goh (#9) missed a good chance from just inside the MJC penalty box. An wickedly inswinging corner by Neville Chia (#21) sailed over the hands of MJC keeper Lightfoot but Jordon Tng (MJC #10) did his team a favour and headed to safety.

SAJC then sent on Pradeep (#11) to give them more options up front but it was MJC who next threatened. A give-and-go between Amsyar (MJC #8) and Jordon Tng (MJC #10) saw the latter’s shot saved by Nigel Tham in the SAJC goal.

With SAJC pushing up to get the equaliser, spaced open up at the back for MJC to exploit and they soon scored a second goal. MJC broke through with Amsyah’s first shot on goal saved but the follow up by substitute Saati (#19) was good to ensure a final 2-0 victory.

“The boys played well to hold a strong Meridian side for long periods, but against a team of such quality, they will punish your every mistake,” said Mr Roland Lee, the SAJC teacher-in-charge. “Our two defensive lapses were duly punished. We hope we can learn from these lessons when we take on the other A Division Goliath, Victoria JC, when we meet in the semi-final.”

In a Group Y game played at the same time, Victoria Junior College beat Jurong Junior College 6-1 to seal top spot while Raffles Institution beat Anderson Junior College 5-2 to secure the second and final semi-final spot.

VJC will play SAJC in the first semi-final on Wednesday, May 18th, 2011, 4pm, at MJC. In the other semi-final, MJC will take on RI on Thursday, May 19th, 2011, 4pm, at VJC.

National A Division Football Championship — fixtures and results

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