A Division Boys’ Football: VJC through to final after beating SAJC 2-0

By REDintern Amir Yusof. Photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Meridian Junior College, Wednesday, May 18, 2011 — Victoria Junior College (VJC) beat Saint Andrew’s Junior College (SAJC) 2-0 in the first semi-final of the National A Division Boys’ Football Championship.

Second-half strikes by Hieng PK (#18) and Shen Hao (#7) gave VJC a thoroughly deserved win which booked them a place in their third A Division football final in four years. Coincidentally, the only time they failed to make the final in the last four years was when they lost in the semi-final to SAJC last season.

VJC coach Azrulnizam Shah acknowledged that this fact was a ‘source of motivation’ for his players and was jubilant with the response from his players.

The match, however, did not start brightly for VJC. The opening exchanges saw both sides struggling to maintain any sort of fluent passing, resulting in scrappy shots that sailed wide. SAJC’s Jonathan Goh (#9) and VJC’s Dilip Thapa (#10) both saw their efforts miss the target as the game shaped up to be rather cagey.

However, as the game wore on, VJC warmed to the task, showing glimpses of their trademark fluidity when moving forward.

Despite brilliant efforts by VJC creative playmakers Santosh Magar (#11) and Dilip, VJC failed to take the lead going into the break largely due to the heroics of SAJC goalkeeper Nigel Tham (#24). Nigel proved to be a capable shot stopper and proved his worth time and time again as VJC laid siege on the SAJC goal in the last few minutes of the first half.

Unfortunately for Nigel and Co, VJC began the second half with added zest to their offensive play. 10 minutes in, Dhilip slipped a superb through pass into the SAJC penalty box. Nigel managed to time his run and met the ball before the VJC strikers. Nevertheless, he clashed with one of them, resulting in a facial injury.

This proved to be a crucial point in the tie as after this incident, the SAJC goalie seemed disorientated and was no longer the outstanding player he was in the first half.

Soon after, VJC took the lead. Fine footwork by Dilip in the middle of the pitch drew the SAJC defenders out. Dhilip then thread the ball to Hieng who was left unmarked and in acres of space. Hieng’s shot was accurate but lacked power. Although SAJC goalie Nigel managed to get a hand to it, it was not enough as the ball bounced pass the goal line to the delight of the VJC supporters.

After conceding the opener, all eyes were on SAJC to conjure up a response to salvage their championship dreams. However, it was VJC who controlled proceedings right after Hieng’s opener. To the frustration of their supporters, the Saints merely resorted to long punts upfield for their forward Pradeep (#9) to latch unto but their efforts were in vain.

Then, came the final nail in the coffin for SAJC eight minutes from time. A swift counter attack by VJC down their left flank involving Dilip, Santosh and Anuruddhan Arunan (#15) was eventually tapped in by Shen Hao to give VJC a deserved victory.

Despite being visibly distraught by the defeat, SAJC’s teacher in charge Roland Lee graciously said his side was second best on the day.

“VJC deserved to win as they played better in every aspect of today’s game. Our boys were unable to get our game going due to VJC’s intensity but I cannot fault them for effort in today’s game as well as in all our matches this year. It is a fair result. I think our players have also done well to reach the semi-final,” said Mr Lee.

Meanwhile, VJC’s coach Azrulnizam was upbeat about his side’s chances in the final.

He said: “I am quite pleased with the quality of play by my boys today and they showed that they are certainly capable of becoming champions. Whoever we play, either RI (Raffles Institution) or MJC (Meridian Junior College) in the final will certainly post a threat to us but I am confident we can win.”

The second semi-final between Raffles Instituition and Meridian Junior College will be played on Thursday, May 19, 4pm, at the VJC school field.

For more photos, go to the next page.