By REDIntern Siti Rohaniza Muhammad. Photos by Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports
Jian Hong (TP #10) and Shukri (NTU #21) battle for possession of the ball. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Republic Polytechnic, Wednesday, January 15, 2014 — Temasek Polytechnic (TP) saw off defending Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) and Singapore University Games (SUniG) champions, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), with a 6–2 win in their opening group stage match.
The last time both teams met was during last year’s IVP semi-finals where NTU won 1–0 in overtime. This year, NTU needed a win against TP to stand a chance to qualify for the semi-finals after their 3–4 loss to Republic Polytechnic (RP) in their previous game.
NTU drew first blood in the first period through their forward, Md Fauzan (NTU #6) with an assist from Muhd Azhari (NTU #45). Glendon Phua (NTU #23) quickly followed with another goal to extend NTU’s lead to 2–0.
However, TP soon responded with a goal by Lim Jian Hong (#10). Clearly building momentum, TP found an equalizer through a half court drag shot from Muhammad Akmal (TP #13). With NTU having a goal controversially disallowed in the last minute, the first period ended with the game tied at 2–2.
The second period was a tight affair. NTU had multiple opportunities but failed to convert their chances due to TP’s stubborn defence.
The match sprang to life in the last period.
After winning a free hit within the first minute of the last period, TP’s Jian Hong (TP #10) managed to convert the free hit and gave his team the lead at 3–2. Soon after, TP took a two-point lead (4–2) through a goal from Muhd Adib (TP #5) after a lapse in the NTU defence.
Subsequently, both teams were awarded a penalty each, but failed to convert them.
With things getting heated on court, there were multiple clashes between the two teams. There was even a moment when three TP players were given 2-minutes penalties one after the other.
With a two-man advantage, NTU made valiant efforts to reduce their goal deficit but failed to convert their chances.
With rising morale on the TP bench, TP pulled away with two more goals, first from Jian Hong (TP #10) and another from Muhd Adib (TP #5). Jian Hong’s goal also gave him his first hat-trick of the season. TP eventually held on for the 6–2 win, sending defending IVP champions NTU out of contention for a top-four placing, prematurely ending their season.
NTU captain Lionel Boey (#30) commented: “It was a great game. Both teams were quite even until the last period, where we lost focus and conceded some goals. We did not play our best game.”
Speaking on behalf of his team, Jian Hong (TP #10) said, “We knew that it was going to be a tough match as NTU needed a win to have a chance of qualifying for the next round. But we managed to calm our nerves and build up a good momentum in the last period to secure our win.”
In the other group, ITE, the Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education Games (POL-ITE) champions, also saw their IVP season end, after a 1–3 loss to SIM.
NTU Roster
Ang Jun Xiang (#2), Abdul Fattah Bin Abdul Shaqur (#4), Tan Xin Wei Shaun (#5), Md Fauzan Bin Abdullah (#6), Abdul Wafiy Bin Abdul Rahman (#7), Tan Yi Pin Bryan (#10), Cheong Jin Cheng Winston (#11), Leon Lim Wee Leong (#14), Yuen Zhao Peng (#15), Calvin Chang Yong Siang (#17), Shukri Bin Abdul Jalil (#21), Thio Yu Chong (#22), Glendon Phua Zhi Ming (#23), Renji Lee (#26), Sie Kai Wen Darius (#28), Boey Jun Wei Lionel (#30), Jiang Yuhang Isaac (#35), Muhammad Yusoff Bin Abdul Gulam (#36), Muhd Firdaus Bin Muhd Ali (#37), Muhd Azhari Bin Mas’od (#45), Tay Jun Hao (#70), Teh Jing Wen Sean (#77), Hazmi Bin Hasan (#99)
TP Roster
Shannon Pang Zhi Wei (#2), Muhammad Rauf Amirul Hamzah (#4), Muhd Adib Bin Salim (#5), Jansen Lim Hong Heng (#6), Muhammad Rausyan Bin Musa Ji Angullia (#8), Lim Jian Hong (#10), Samuel Tan Bao Sheng (#11), Muhammad Akmal B Shaharudin (#13), Muhammad Hafiz Bin Azmi (#14), Kwek Muhammad Danial Bin Bakhtiar (#15), Yeung Chun Yin (#16), Sng Jian Da (#17), Simran Saach Singh Sirna (#18), Wee Hong Yu (#23), Abdul Rahman B Abdul Rahim (#24), Muhammad Zikri B Mohd Z (#36), Roy Chong Yu Keong (#46), Muhammad Faresh Hakim B Mohd Y (#69), Crenshawn Lim Kai Xuan (#70), Foo Jun Yong Joey (#87), Jake Chen Yi Xian (#95)
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