Story by Ryan Lim/Red Sports. Photos by Chua Kai Yun/Red Sports.
Raymond Zhang (TJC #20) celebrates after scoring to make it 2-0. (Photo 1 © Chua Kai Yun/Red Sports)
Temasek Junior College, Tuesday, April 12, 2016 — Temasek Junior College (TJC) secured a 2-0 victory over River Valley High School (RVHS) with a goal in each half to secure second round qualification in the National A Division Football Championship.
The last time TJC qualified for the second round was in 2013.
This defeat is RVHS’s fourth in a row, leaving them without points and with one game left to play.
TJC dominated the first 10 minutes, trapping RVHS in their own half. Early in the game, Marcus Goh (TJC #3) fired an open opportunity over the bar with a wild shot.
Shortly after, the RVHS goalkeeper spilled the ball and almost gifted TJC an easy goal. To his credit, he responded quickly enough to pounce on the ball before the TJC forward could react.
After pressing RVHS with relentless attacks, TJC finally opened the scoring. Poor defending allowed a TJC pass to roll behind the backline. After missing his earlier chance, Marcus Goh (TJC #3) did not let this one slip him by. He controlled the ball and smashed it into the back of the net, making it 1-0.
TJC continued to deliver waves of attacks, giving the RVHS defence immense pressure.
Chan Yong Hoe (RVHS #7) made a darting run down the right flank before getting tackled by a TJC defender. The ball went out for a corner to give RVHS their first real chance of the game. The set-piece was cleared away from danger by the TJC defenders with ease.
Towards the end of the half, RVHS improved their gameplay and managed to break into the opposition’s half, but still struggled to make it into the attacking third.
The second half began with TJC pushing hard for their second goal. A golden opportunity arose when the referee awarded TJC with a penalty kick after a RVHS foul in the penalty box. However, Benjamin Tey (TJC #8) failed to convert the penalty after the goalkeeper dived the correct way to palm the ball to safety.
RVHS went on to experience a good spell in the game, as TJC’s dominance began to fade. They had significantly more possession as compared to the first half, and managed more attempts at goal. Ng Tze Sheng (RVHS #9) hit a clean shot above the target as RVHS almost equalized.
The RVHS captain Lek Kai Jie (RVHS #4) was a commanding force in the heart of the defence, constantly giving his team guidance and instructions.
RVHS’ stamina could not keep up with their desire as fatigue started to show. Soon after, Raymond Zhang (TJC #20) capitalized on a backpass that went past the goalkeeper, to guide the ball into the open goal. The 2-0 lead lifted TJC to a more comfortable position.
RVHS gave one last push for a goal with centre-back Lek Kai Jie (RVHS #4) operating as a forward in the final few minutes. Aung Naing Tun (RVHS #11) attempted a long range free kick that was tipped away by the TJC goalkeeper, who had enough time to read the flight of the ball.
TJC captain Chan Shao Jing (TJC #10) commented after the game, “The game was very tough. River Valley gave us a really tough fight. But for our performance I think we deserved the win. Now that we are in the top eight, we will be aiming for the top four. But of course, we will take it game by game, and look short term first.”
RVHS captain Lek Kai Jie (RVHS #4) said, “I think what is more important is not the result, but how much we fight for each other. We just have to play and enjoy ourselves.”
RVHS vice-captain Matteus Poon (RVHS #8) added, “I think TJC deserved the win and I am happy for them but I think we played well too. I think spirit is more important than results because in the future we will remember how much we put in for the team and for the school.”
RVHS take on Hwa Chong Institution in their final game.
Score by Half
TJC vs RVHS
1st Half: 1-0
2nd Half: 1-0
Full-time: 2-0
Scorers
TJC
Goh Jin Hwa Marcus (#3) – 1 goal
Zhang Xiuping Raymond (#20) – 1 goal
TJC Roster
Li Qizing Esmond (#1), Goh Jin Hwa Marcus (#3), Tay Ying Jie Isaac (#4), Li Zhao Chen (#5), Willis Yang Xianzu (#6), Pho Jia Ren (#7), Benjamin Tey Qing Chun (#8), Vishnu Menon (#9), Chan Shao Jing (#10), Ryan Edward Tay Siang Ann (#11), Ong Xian Jet Isaac (#12), Kevin Bun (#13), Yasalapu Siva Sai Theja (#14), Hoon Yang Deng (#15), Zhong Shaojie (#16), Kee Kai Teng (#17), Wang Jiannan Victor (#19), Zhang Xiuping Raymond (#20), Wang Yaning (#22), Elroy Ang Wei Yong (#24)
RVHS Roster
Wang Ri Zhao (#1), Wu Jialiang (#2), Lim Lee Sheng (#3), Lek Kai Jie (#4), Chin Yu Xun (#5), Kow Ningzhe (#6), Chan Yong Hoe (#7), Poon Wei Ren, Matteus (#8), Ng Tze Sheng (#9), Eugene Lim (#10), Aung Naing Tun (#11), Chan Sze Ann, Eugene (#13), Lee Keng Wen (#14), Galen Tan Jun Hong (#16), Javier Ong Kai Herng (#17), Lau Kuan Hoe (#18), Glen Chow Yu Hung (#19), Wang Zhihuang (#20)
National A Division Football Championship – fixtures and results
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