Story by Carissa Tan/Red Sports. Photos by Lee Jian Wei/Red Sports

A Division Girl's Soccer

Chloe Tan (#3) of Temasek Junior College fights for possession of the ball against Zaiheeda (#2) of Meridian Junior College. (Photo 1 © Lee Jian Wei/Red Sports)

Temasek Junior College, Wednesday, April 9, 2015 — Skilful play by Meridian Junior College (MJC) gave them a comfortable 11–0 win over Temasek Junior College (TJC) in the National A Division Girls’ Football Championship.

MJC displayed fluid teamwork throughout the entire match, stringing passes easily across the field. This allowed them to launch numerous attacks right from the start.

Brilliant saves from TJC goalkeeper, Tran Nguyen Lam Giang (#1), foiled many of MJC’s attacks. However, TJC players were forced to crowd in their own penalty box to block off shots from MJC. As a result, most of the play was in TJC’s half.

After a scoreless 15 minutes, MJC eventually broke through TJC’s defence with a well-placed through pass. MJC striker, Liyana Juraimi (#14), scored the opening goal. Her teammate, Zaiheeda Zaini (#2), followed her lead with the second goal off the right post and a third shortly after. Subsequently, Nurul Fatin (#12) scored the fourth and Lim En Pei (#23) sent in the fifth one after TJC failed to clear.

While TJC players fought for every ball, MJC were able to navigate through the midfield very easily with passes to space and tactical running. They controlled the game even in their own half as TJC attackers were unable to go forward as a cohesive unit.

Just before the end of the first half, Lim En Pei (#23) added her second goal. MJC kept up the relentless attack and played with even more confidence in the second half.

TJC goalkeeper, Tran Nguyen Lam Giang (#1), continued to single-handedly block off MJC attempts even at point-blank. However, despite good goalkeeping from her, MJC proved to be unstoppable.

Just five minutes into the second half, Zaiheeda Zaini (MJC #2) added another to MJC’s long list of goals. Her teammate, Faith Oh (#7), launched a high ball from just outside the six-yard box for the eighth goal. MJC continued with their rampage as TJC players tired out.

Despite TJC’s best efforts, they were unable to keep up with MJC’s fast play. Multiple MJC players were skilful enough to dribble through two or more defenders.

Zaiheeda Zaini (#2), Nurul Fatin (#12) and Nurfatin Azni (#6) scored the ninth, 10th and 11th goal to seal MJC’s win.

MJC captain, Raelene Leong (#16), said, “I think it was a good game. Everybody gave their best. We communicated and it’s a fruit of our efforts. It was a good game.”

She added, “I think they (TJC) really tried very hard. Despite (us) scoring, they gave their all. They kept playing the ball and I really want to applaud them for that.”

MJC finished third last year and will be facing Tampines Junior College (TPJC) next. TJC will go against last year’s runner up, Raffles Institution (RI). Both matches will be played at MJC on April 15, 3pm and 4.30pm respectively.

Scoring by half
MJC vs TJC
1st half: 6–0
2nd half: 5–0 (11–0)

Scorers
MJC
Zaiheeda Bte Zaini (#2) – 4 goals
Nurul Fatin Bte Mh Shukran (#12) – 2 goals
Lim En Pei (#23) – 2 goals
Liyana Bte Juraimi (#14) – 1 goal
Faith Oh (#7) – 1 goal
Nurfatin Bte Azni (#6) – 1 goal

MJC Roster
Zaiheeda Bte Zaini (#2), Ong Li Ying (#3), Ong Hui Fang Michelle (#5), Nurfatin Bte Azni (#6), Faith Oh Ke Jing (#7), Au Yeong Hui Wen (#9), Siti Nur Hamida Bte Yusri (#10), Tan Yan Hui Shaina (#11), Nurul Fatin Bte Mh Shukran (#12), Liyana Bte Juraimi (#14), Valerie Kan En Ping (#15), Leong Sue Hui, Raelene (#16), Sharifah Khadijah Binte Abdullah (#17), Neo Rui Yi (#19), Nur Fadhlina Bte Mohamed Faisal (#21), Lim En Pei (#23), Siti Nur Azmina Bte Abdul Razak (#25), Siti Mariam Bte Mohd Yusoff Mengin (#26), Elvina Chun Jing Wah (#28)

TJC Roster
Tran Nguyen Lam Giang (#1), Lerdthuwanon Chutimon (#2), Tan Yee Jing, Chloe (#3), Tan Kit Yung (#4), Amrit Kaur (#5), Yan Junqiao (#6), Louisa LIm Si Xian (#7), Hew Qian Yu (#8), Shai-ann Koh Seow Yen (#9), Shruti Natarajan (#11), Iffa Daniesha Bte Mohamad R H (#12), Kaisah Amalia Bte Sulami (#14), Denise Lim Yu Qun (#15), Melissa Boey Jia Hui (#16), Peh Jie Ee Tricia (#17), Kelly Lai Xin Yi (#19), Anjitha Ramesan (#20), Ravipha Nilju (#22), Natasha Wong Yun Theng (#23), Ong Hui Min (#25)

More photos next page