By REDintern Khairulnizam
Bhasinder of MI connects with the cross and puts the ball into the back of the net to break the deadlock and take the lead. (Photo 1 © Joseph Lee/Red Sports)
Millennia Institute, Thursday, April 4, 2013 — Millennia Institute (MI) scored a goal in the dying minutes of the game to secure a 3–2 win over group favourites Raffles Institution (RI) in the first round of the National A Division Football Championship.
The first half burst into life immediately with both sides within touching distance of scoring. A miscommunication among the MI defenders resulted in a free header for RI but the MI keeper pushed the ball to safety.
Minutes later, #15 of RI broke through MI’s line of defence, resulting in a one-on-one with the MI keeper who charged up to meet the challenge. Noticing the keeper, RI’s #15 took a shot which rolled painfully slowly towards the goal. The ball hit the post and rolled out of play harmlessly.
Meanwhile, MI also managed to create a scoring opportunity. A through ball to Bhasinder (#9) of MI allowed him to beat the keeper, but the shot taken was quickly cleared away by an RI defender who was guarding nearby. Soon after, MI were given a free kick from the outside the box. It was a well driven shot that the RI keeper fumbled but MI were unable to capitalise on the opportunity as the keeper saved it eventually.
MI drew first blood moments later. With a rapid one-two passing-play between Bhasinder (#9) and Roy Ng (#10) of MI, Roy managed to make space for himself down the wing to deliver a perfect cross for Bhasinder (#9) to volley into the back of the net.
In response, RI let out a string of attacks to try and equalise but were unable to hit the target at all. RI’s attacks managed to land them threateningly in MI’s penalty box but the shots lacked accuracy and finesse.
Towards the end of the first half, MI made it 2–0. Bhasinder (#9) of MI delivered an early cross to teammate Nur Agus Sufi (#11) who was left unmarked at the edge of the box. Agus (#11) then slotted the ball past the keeper with practiced ease to give MI a 2–0 lead. Soon after, Bhasinder (#9) managed to beat the offside trap and attempted a shot, but RI’s keeper kept it out with a full stretch. The first half ended 2–0 in favour of MI.
A heavy drizzle greeted the players as they returned to the pitch for the second half. RI began the second half well by attacking more whereas MI tried to slow the game down. RI made them pay when the MI defenders failed to clear the ball well after a cross. An RI player picked up the loose ball in the penalty box and drove home the shot, making it 2–1.
This marked the beginning of RI’s comeback. RI picked up their pace significantly and were able to switch from defence to attack within seconds. Meanwhile, Roy Ng (#10) of MI displayed outstanding performance as he weaved in and out of the RI’s defence while setting up opportunities for his teammates to attack.
#9 of RI soon grabbed a goal to level the score as poor defending off a corner from the MI side allowed the ball to reach him at the edge of the penalty box, and he slotted home the equalising goal to make it 2–2.
The MI home crowd continued to roar on, supporting their team in red and white. In the dying minutes of the game, MI proved their determination to win. The RI defense fumbled with a deep goal kick by the MI keeper allowing Agus (#11) to pick up the loose ball. The latter wasted no time in taking a well-measured shot as the RI keeper could only watch the ball shoot past under his arm for the winning goal.
Roy Ng (#10) skipper of the MI squad said: “It was a good effort from my team. RI were the group favorites especially due to their high physical fitness, but we played our hearts out. We took on a more defensive play in the second half, which cost us, but we didn’t give up until the end. The winning goal was definitely the highlight of the game.”
“Our target now is to push on to at least the second round and even further, because that’s where we were knocked out last year. In order to do that we have to better our defensive discipline,” said Roy.
Nur Agus Sufi, the hero of the day, said: “I feel over the moon! It’s an indescribable feeling to score the winner, especially against a strong side like RI. What adds icing to the cake is that this is the first match that I’ve scored in and I managed to net two goals.”
“I want to take this moment to focus on my other teammates as well, for without them I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this,” added Agus.
Final Score
MI 3 RI 2
1st Half: 2–0
2nd Half: 1–2 (3–2)
Scorers
Millennia
Bhasinder (#9) – 1 goal
Nur Agus Sufi (#11) – 2 goals
RI
(#9) –
MI Roster
Fariz (#1, GK), Syarif (#2), Kumar (#3), Hazim (#4), Shaan (#5), Nabil (#6), Afariss (#7), Hafiz (#8), Bhasinder (#9), Roy Ng (#10), Agus (#11), Kenneth (#12), Haikal (#13), Afiq (#14), Faizal (#15), Shiv (#16), Nithu (#17), Kumaran (#18), Adib (#19), Hakim (#20)
RI Roster
We asked for but did not receive RI’s name list. If you have the names, do let us know in the comments section.
2013 National A Division Football Championship – fixtures and results
More photos next page
Leave A Comment