By Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports

National A Division Football Anglo-Chinese Junior College Meridian Junior College

Mohamed Faizal (MJC #10) controls the ball against ACJC. Faizal contributed two goals in MJC’s 3–2 victory against ACJC. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)

Millenia Institute, Tuesday, May 20, 2014 — Meridian Junior College (MJC) survived a late comeback by Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) and held on for a 3–2 victory to advance to the final of the National A Division Football Championship.

Mohamed Faizal (#10) led MJC with two goals, while Syabil Anwar (MJC #7) scored the other. Boris Wee (#7) had a sterling performance in the game for ACJC and contributed two goals, both in the second half.

ACJC went on the offensive upon kick-off with two quick attempts, but they were saved by MJC goalie Dagan Lim (#25). On the ensuing possession, a handball by an MJC defender in the left corner of the MJC penalty box went uncalled.

In the seventh minute, Syabil Anwar (MJC #7) broke through the ACJC defence to volley the ball past goalie Benjamin Chue (ACJC #12) into the left corner of the net. Just minutes later, Benjamin Chue (#12) redeemed himself with a good save from Bryant Tan’s (MJC #21) direct free kick from midfield.

In the 21st minute, Mohamed Faizal (MJC #10) headed the ball into the left corner of the ACJC goal, off a header from Haziq Syamil (MJC #3). The goal gave MJC a 2–0 lead heading into the second half.

ACJC dominated possession and managed to keep the ball in the MJC half for most of the second half. In the first few minutes of the second half, Boris (ACJC #7) attempted a direct corner kick at the goal, but it was safely deflected away by MJC goalie Dagan Lim (MJC #25). Boris had another attempt, but his shot this time came off the crossbar.

After a foul by Muhamad Farhan (ACJC #23), Michael Paul Hendrick (MJC #8) took a direct free kick but his shot was saved by Benjamin Chue (#12). Mohamed Faizal (MJC #10) sprinted forward and got to the rebound first to score from close range, giving MJC a 3–0 advantage.

Undaunted, ACJC kept their cool and maintained their control of the ball. Boris (ACJC #7) led the ACJC comeback, creating opportunities for shots. A handball in the MJC penalty box by Bryant Tan (MJC #21) meant a second yellow card, and the referee sent him off the field. Boris (ACJC #7) scored the penalty, reducing MJC’s lead to two.

Soon after, Boris (ACJC #7) swung in a beautiful corner directly past MJC goalie Dagan Lim (#25) and into the left corner of the net. Despite the late heroics by Boris (ACJC #7), MJC held on for the eventual 3–2 victory, earning them a spot in the final.

In last year’s edition, MJC lost 1–2 to VJC in the semi-finals, causing them to miss out on a final appearance for the first time since 2004.

MJC vice-captain, Abdul Mateen (#4), said, “The game was back-and-forth. We did just enough to hold on. After the red card issued to Bryant (MJC #21), it was difficult to hold on with 10 men, because ACJC is a very good team. Despite that, we wanted to make it to Jalan Besar badly, so we kept going and did our best. I’m really happy the team did well today.”

“No matter who we face, we try to work hard and give our best. Of course, we’re very happy to be able to get back into the final. Last year, we let the school down by not making the final. Now, I hope the team and I have redeemed ourselves,” he added.

ACJC’s Boris (#7) said, “I think in the first half, we were a bit distracted. We couldn’t deal with the way MJC played. During half-time, our coach talked to us about being fearless, take this game with a positive attitude and to keep encouraging each other. The encouragement came from coach, the team, the supporters, the badge that I wear on my chest and most importantly for the name of the school. That really pushed us on to play to the best of our abilities.

“We stepped up a better performance and put in a lot of good shots. But unfortunately, we just came out a bit short and unlucky. We’re all very disappointed, but this will make us come back stronger for the 3rd/4th playoff,” he added.

In the other semi-final game, St. Andrew’s Junior College (SAJC) upset defending champions Victoria Junior College (VJC) 1–0. ACJC will play VJC in the 3rd/4th playoff while MJC will play SAJC in the final. Both games will be held on Monday, May 26, 2014, at Jalan Besar Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Scoring by Half
ACJC vs MJC
First half: 0–2
Second half: 2–3

Scorers
ACJC
Boris Ratu Wee (#7) – 2 goals

MJC
Mohamed Faizal B Mohamed Raffi (#10) – 2 goals
Syabil Anwar B Badrul Hisham (#7) – 1 goal

ACJC Roster
Hu Naiwen (#1), Amos Teo Yao Ming (#3), Muhammad Nur Arsyad (#4), Lionel Retnam (#5), Ngen Ge Liang (#6), Boris Ratu Wee (#7), Andre Wang En Jie (#8), Kang Seong Soo (#9), Jerrick Chan Siang Hur (#10), Lim Kai-Wen Avril (#11), Chue Han En Benjamin (#12), Muhammad Shafiq Bin Jalavddin (#13), Malcolm Shum Kai Song (#15), Tan Yang Hong (#16), Yap Chin Kai Duncan (#17), Sim Chai Hu Leon (#20), Leow Jian Wei (#21), Muhamad Farhan Bin Supian (#23), Aaron Quek Yue Jun (#24), Douglas Yeo Zhi Xiang (#25)

MJC Roster
Ng Ragene (#1), Khairul Ilyas B Ishak (#2), Haziq Syamil B Ramli (#3), Abdul Mateen B Mohamed Nagib B (#4), Muhammad Faiz B Mohd Basir (#5), Navin Farhan Mohan (#6), Syabil Anwar B Badrul Hisham (#7), Michael Paul Hendrick (#8), Alexander Mulia (#9), Mohamed Faizal B Mohamed Raffi (#10), Syahidul Matin B Mohd Puad (#12), Soon Wei Jun (#15), Muhammad Bin Imran (#16), Benoza Niguel Angelo Leyson (#17), Chan Yong Zhi Joel (#18), Phua Kok Ming Johnny (#19), Tan Keng Shui Bryant (#21), Jazzmen Teo Jie Wen (#23), Lee Siong Wei Lucas Isaac (#24), Lim Sze Howe Dagan (#25)

National A Division Football Championship – fixtures and results

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