Story by Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports. Photos by Lim Yong Teck and Clara Yuan/Red Sports
Kang Seong Soo (ACJC #9) heads the ball against VJC goalie Benedict Loh (#1). Seong Soo scored a goal in regulation to tie the game at 1–1. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Millenia Institute, Friday, May 23, 2014 — Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) held on in extra time to edge out defending champions Victoria Junior College (VHC) 2–1 to finish third in the National A Division Football Championship.
Both teams tied 1–1 in their previous match-up in the second round.
Kang Seong Soo (#9) and Jerrick Chan (#10) scored a goal each for ACJC, while Muhd Ammar (VJC #10) contributed the opening goal.
VJC were impressive on both ends, keeping the ball in the ACJC half for most of the first half. ACJC appeared a little out of sync as they found no way past VJC’s defence.
In the 28th minute, Muhd Ammar (VJC #10) found an opening in the ACJC defence and drove the ball past ACJC goalie Benjamin Chue (#12) into the right corner of the net, giving VJC the 1–0 lead.
In the second half, ACJC regrouped and were aggressive on the offensive end. Ngen Ge Liang (#6) had three attempts off three straight possessions, but he could not convert them.
In the 72nd minute, a right-legged volley by Kang Seong Soo (#9) from the left flank went past VJC goalie Benedict Loh (#1) into the top-right corner of the net, tying the game at one apiece.
A last-minute attempt by Teo Jian Kiat (VJC #9) from the top of the ACJC penalty box was safely deflected away by ACJC goalie Benjamin Chue (#12) and the game went into extra time of two 10-minute halves.
ACJC continued to threaten the VJC goal in the first half of extra time. In the 92nd minute, Jerrick Chan (#10) fired the ball past VJC goalie Benedict Loh (#1) off a Boris Wee (#7) throw-in from the right flank to give ACJC a 2–1 lead.
VJC went on several good runs in the remaining period of extra time, but they were unable to convert their attempts. ACJC banked on their strong defensive play to hold on and clinch third place.
In last year’s edition, ACJC managed a fourth-place finish after conceding the 3rd/4th playoff 0–1 to Meridian Junior College (MJC).
ACJC captain, Muhamad Farhan (#23), said, “I feel happy. We actually really wanted the first or second position, but luck wasn’t on our side and we lost to MJC. But I think for the team and I, winning third today is more memorable. I think in competitions and matches, what’s most important is the ongoing bonding we have with the rest of the team.”
VJC captain, Yeoh Lai Hsin (#13), said, “I think our team played fantastically in the first half as we managed to control the game. It’s just unfortunate that we didn’t take our chances, but all credits to ACJC. They didn’t give up.”
“We came in with the objective of playing well and enjoying our last game together as a team. I think we managed to achieve this objective and everyone played quite well. I just want to thank the team, as they put in a lot of effort this season. I think fourth place is undeserved for the team. I want to thank our teacher-in-charge, Mr Lim, and all those who supported us in one way or another, especially our school friends, who came all the way down,” Lai Hsin added.
Favourites MJC will take on underdogs St. Andrew’s Junior College in the final, which will be held on Monday, May 26, 2014, at Jalan Besar Stadium. Kick-off is at 3 p.m.
Scoring by Half
VJC vs ACJC
First half: 1–0
Second half: 0–1 (1–1)
Extra time: 0–1 (1–2)
Scorers
VJC
Muhd Ammar Bin Mohd Fazali (#10) – 1 goal
ACJC
Kang Seong Soo (#9) – 1 goal
Jerrick Chan Siang Hur (#10) – 1 goal
VJC Roster
Loh Ye-Yang Benedict (#1), Ong You Sheng Aaron (#2), Koh Jin Kai (#3), Ong Kai-En Benjamin (#4), Bradley Gan (#5), Joshua Tan Jyn-Kit (#6), Ryuju Osamura (#7), Chaichote Panasampon (#8), Teo Jian Kiat (#9), Muhd Ammar Bin Mohd Fazali (#10), Mohamed Hasif B Abdul Hakim (#11), Wong Jun Jie (#12), Yeoh Lai Hsin (#13), Muhammad Firdaus B Asri (#14), Ong Dao Nan (#15), Cai Jiachen (#16), Nicholas Yong Chung Wai (#17), Mohammed Ibrahim B Yasin (#18), Dominic Ho Wee Keong (#19), Quek Yong Lin Sherman (#20)
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)
National A Division Football Championship – fixtures and results
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