Story by Yogaraj Panditurai/Red Sports. Photos by Cheah Wenqi/Red Sports.
Nathanael Chin (#9) of MJC celebrating with his teammates after scoring the third goal for MJC. (Photo 2 © Cheah Wenqi/Red Sports)
St. Andrew’s Junior College, Friday, May 5, 2017 — In a repeat of last year’s National A Division Football Championship final, defending champions Meridian Junior College (MJC) once again got the better of Victoria Junior College (VJC) – albeit in the second round this time – when the former came away with a 3-1 victory.
Yapp Nicanor’s (MJC #8) first half header from a corner gave his side the lead before Norhaqim Azalee (VJC #17) made it 1-1 going into the break. Another corner led to another header from Yapp (MJC #8), restoring MJC’s advantage before match captain Nathanael Chin’s sublime free kick late into the game ensured Meridian secured all three points.
The result sees MJC finish first in Group Y on nine points while VJC will have to settle for the second spot with six points.
On the win, MJC coach Nelson Portillo said: “A victory over VJC is the same as a victory against any other team because it’s a good feeling to win. We fielded mostly reserves and we had key players out injured but what’s important is that they had fun.
“We were just here to enjoy the game because we weren’t expecting a difficult game since both teams have already qualified for the semi-finals. It was a good experience for the boys. I told them to go out there, do what you’re supposed to do and also have fun.”
Indeed, both schools were already through to the semi-finals before heading into the match. Besides determining who will top Group Y, the game was also a matter of pride for the teams as high levels of intensity and passion were on display in the first half.
MJC showed an early glimpse of what was to come with only four minutes in when they threatened through a corner. However, Noorhakim (#19) could only put his header over the bar. It was evident MJC were going to rely on set pieces throughout the match to throw off the Victorian defence and that paid off in the 30th minute.
Nathanael’s (MJC #9) inswinging corner found Yapp (MJC #8), who rose high above to thump a header into the far post. VJC were no slouches in attack either. The trio of Norhaqim (VJC #17), Glenn Kweh (VJC #11) and Ye Yint Paing Oo (VJC #9) did well to run circles around MJC’s defenders, and linked up well in attack.
Many times, through balls were laid off to diminutive lone striker Norhaqim (VJC #17) but he mostly found himself outmuscled by the larger Meridian centrebacks. However, the forward was able to find space in the penalty box to connect with Glenn’s (VJC #11) low cross from the right and tapped in from close range two minutes before halftime.
That proved no detriment to MJC’s plan though, as they continued to pressure VJC through various set-piece attempts. Both sides had well-organised defences and relied on quick-fire counter-attacks to break ahead. The ball was mostly won and lost in midfield, with each school largely owing their regaining of possession to lynchpins Javan Koh (MJC #20) and Shaythuram Elangkovan (VJC #15).
Despite VJC’s best efforts to take the lead, it was Meridian who went 2-1 up in the 63rd. Once again, Nathanael (MJC #9) notched his second assist via a corner after Yapp (MJC #8) headed his cross against the underside of the bar to hand MJC the advantage.
Faltered spirits and fatigued legs after going behind again, VJC were unable to offer much in attack to find an equaliser. Their best chance to draw level came six minutes from time when Nicholas Teo (VJC #14) latched on to Ye’s (VJC #9) lateral pass and had space to shoot.
Unfortunately for his side, Nicholas (VJC #14) could only put his tame shot wide and Nathanael (MJC #9) ended any hopes for a comeback three minutes later through a sweetly struck free kick to add a goal to his two assists.
After the match, Nathanael (MJC #9) said: “VJC gave it their 100% and we also did the same. Today’s victory was a team effort, everyone on the pitch was involved and they all wanted to play their hearts out. What motivated us today was the mentality to always win, whatever the circumstances.”
The 18-year-old forward also commented on MJC’s reliance on set-pieces in the match, saying: “We do work a lot on set-pieces during training but today, we did well during open play to not give away any chances to our opponents and we worked really hard to create attacking opportunities also.”
Meanwhile on the loss, VJC’s assistant coach Lim Wei Quan said: “We played against a strong team, champions from last year, and they made their set-pieces count. We didn’t defend well in those situations and we deserved the defeat.”
Score
MJC vs VJC
Halftime: 1-1
Fulltime: 3-1
Scorers
MJC
Yapp Nicanor (#8) — 2 goals
Nathanael Chin (#9) — 1 goal
VJC
Norhaqim Azalee (#17) — 1 goal
MJC Roster
Justin Hui (#4), Royston Tan (#10), Javan Koh (#20), Ivan Hoo (#1), Jalaluddin (#14), Hong Seung Jun (#6), Bhavin Assandas (#7), Muhammad Syafiq (#5), Pho Jia Yuan (#25), Bradley Leong (#2), Fikri Amin (#17), Jonathan Chong (#18), Jordan Ng (#11), Noorhakim (#19), Victor Lim (#21), Yapp Nicanor (#8), Lucas Ng (#13), Defido (#22), Muhammad Syafiq Siregar (#23), Nathanael Chin (#9)
VJC Roster
Kevin Wong (#20), Desmond Chia (#18), Malcom Tan (#5), Wayne Ng (#4), Glenn Kweh (#11), Shaythuram Elangkovan (#15), Dashmesh Singh Bajaj (#7), Norhaqim Azalee (#17), Marcus Kok (#3), Jonathan Tan (#13), Tan E-An (#12), Leong Yu Young (#8), Marcus Tang (#6), Jeremiah Lim (#1), Michael Collins (#2), Nicholas Teo (#14), Nicholas Chan (#16), Ye Yint Paing Oo (#9), Ashwin Kalaichelvan (#19), Muhammad Syakir (#10)
More photos next page
Leave A Comment