By REDintern Siti Rohaniza Muhammad. Photos by Joseph Lee/Red Sports
Tan Yong Geng (NTU #17) showing off some fancy footwork while trying to get past Tajeli Salamat (ITE #9) in the penalty box. (Photo 1 © Joseph Lee/Red Sports)
Nanyang Technological University, Thursday, January 23, 2014 — Institute of Technical Education (ITE) pulled away in the second half to beat Nanyang Technological University (NTU) 4–2 in their final group stage match in the SR Nathan Cup, also known as the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Football Championship.
Both teams entered the match unbeaten, with ITE already topping the group. NTU, on the other hand, would need at least a draw to secure a spot in the semi-finals. A loss meant NTU would be dependent on the results of the match between Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) and Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP).
ITE settled in early in the game, causing trouble on the right flank with the speed of their wingers. Within the opening minutes of the match, ITE capitalized on a poor clearance from NTU. ITE’s skipper, Yushenzry Md Jalil (ITE #18), picked up the ball from just outside the penalty box and took a shot that hit the back of NTU’s net.
NTU were the physically bigger side and it was evident in the airborne challenges, while ITE were the more skillful side, out dribbling their opponent most of the time. The first half ended with ITE leading 1–0.
The opening minutes of the second half saw both teams going hard into the challenges and tackles. Possession also swung back and forth between ITE and NTU.
ITE had a few good chances to extend their lead but their efforts either sailed over the crossbar or were saved by the NTU goalkeeper.
After a lovely layoff from his teammate, Anders Eric Aplin (NTU #15) took a shot but the ball hit the post, to the disbelief of the home crowd. However, Anders (NTU #15) soon redeemed himself by finding the equalizer, scoring with a shot that hit the top-right corner.
NTU’s joy did not last as ITE soon responded through their ever-reliant captain, Yushenzry Md Jalil (ITE #18), who extended their lead to 2–1.
With both teams eager for the win, challenges and tempers were flying. After a tackle in ITE half, a heated argument resulted in Md Haiqal Md Noor (ITE #8), Sahairi Bin Ramri (NTU #2) and Anders Aplin (NTU #15) each receiving a yellow card.
NTU soon received a penalty after a poor challenge by winger Suria Prakash (ITE #11) on Md Hyder (NTU #11). Skipper Gavin Joshua Lee (NTU #4) then coolly converted the penalty, to level the score at 2–2.
With minutes left, NTU won a corner but the well-taken corner hit the post. However, it was ITE who managed to take the lead when forward Taufiq Muqminin (ITE #4) took a shot at goal after observing that the NTU keeper was off his line.
Substitute, Md Zulfahmi (ITE #22) then grabbed the fourth and final goal in the last five minutes to allow ITE to finish off 4–2 winners.
ITE captain, Yushenzry Md Jalil (ITE #18), commented, “We played as a team and followed our coach’s instructions. I believed all the boys played hard and we’re happy that we topped the group. They (NTU) are good runners and they’re bigger than us but we managed to play smart and get past them.”
In the other group, despite having the same points as Temasek Polyechnic (TP), Singapore Polytechnic (SP) topped the group with a better goal difference.
ITE will face TP in one semi-final while NTU will face SP in the other semi-final.
ITE Starting Lineup
Luqman Ismail (#2), Taufiq Muqminin (#4), Md Haiqal Md Noor (#8), Tajeli Salamat (#9), Md Shameer (#10), Suria Prakash (#11), Ahmad Khidir (#14), Md Noor Faridzuan (#17), Yushenzry Md Jalil (C, #18), Tham Yong Jun (GK, #21), Md Sadik Md Said (#24)
NTU Starting Lineup
Sahairi Bin Ramri (#2), Gavin Joshua Lee Tse Pang (C, #4), Low Hong Kiat Calvin (#8), Deevesh Kripalani (#10), Md Hyder Bin Md Sulaiman (#11), Md Firdaus Bin Md Ismail (GK, #12), Anders Eric Aplin (#15), Kenneth Gan Jing Han (#16), Tan Yong Geng (#17), Akmal Bin Ariffin (#22), Md Khairi Bin Kamarudin (#33)
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