Story by REDintern Ryan Lim. Photos by Chua Kai Yun/Red Sports.

Saran Raj S/O Karunanithy (AJC #10) running to his coach after scoring a brace. (Photo © Chua Kai Yun/Red Sports)

Saran Raj S/O Karunanithy (AJC #10) running to his coach after scoring a brace. (Photo 1 © Chua Kai Yun/Red Sports)

Nanyang Junior College, Monday, March 28, 2016 — Anderson Junior College (AJC) were made to dig deep following an inspired performance from Tampines Junior College (TPJC). AJC finally sealed a 4-3 win after multiple comebacks from their opponents in Round 1the National A Division Football Championship.

AJC entered this match in poor form, having lost both their previous games. They had also failed to score a single goal. TPJC, on the other hand, were still unbeaten following two draws. However, the form table proved to be irrelevant in this game after AJC managed to score four goals to condemn TPJC to their first loss of the championship.

Saran Raj (AJC #10) was pivotal to his team’s victory after snatching a brace and earning a penalty. The game also saw several defenders getting on the scoresheet, with right-back Gowrath Nelson (TPJC #24) scoring a header and centre-back Muhammad Akmal (AJC #4) converting a penalty.

AJC dominated the first 15 minutes of the game. Nallasamy Kavinkumar (#21) showed great skill and pace to escape his markers and register a few shots on target, only to be denied by the TPJC goalkeeper. TPJC experienced a dismal start to the game with their best chance a penalty appeal that was dismissed by the referee.

AJC’s one-touch passing at the edge of the penalty box kept the TPJC players rooted to the ground, as the ball found its way to Saran Raj (AJC #10) who slotted home the opening goal with ease.

Just moments later, Saran Raj (AJC #10) was again at the heart of the action, receiving a long pass with an impressive first touch. This led to the onrushing goalkeeper misjudging the bounce of the ball and crashing into Saran, giving away a penalty.

The successful penalty kick had to be retaken after an AJC player crossed the penalty box line prematurely. Centre-back Muhammad Akmal (AJC #4) showed composure to score the penalty again despite the goalkeeper diving the right direction.

With AJC seemingly on their way to a comfortable victory, Gowrath Nelson (TPJC #24) popped up with a powerful header to thrust his team right back into contention.

Less than 10 seconds after the second-half restart, TPJC made their intentions clear with a well-executed equalizer to make it 2-2. A long ball penetrated the AJC defence, with Wang En Guang (#5) getting to the end of the cross unmarked. to side-foot the ball into the net.

With morale at a high, TPJC chased down every ball. However, AJC stuck to what they knew best, stretching the TPJC defence with their pacey wingers.

Nallasamy Kavinkumar (AJC #21) showed flair to ghost past his marker on the left flank and to deliver a clever ball across the face of goal for Saran Raj (AJC #10) to tap in at point blank range.

AJC continued to press TPJC, as they looked to extend their 3-2 lead. TPJC looked deflated as the comeback efforts took a toll on the players physically.

Before long, Nallasamy Kavinkumar (AJC #21) managed to break away from the TPJC defence to latch onto a through pass. He calmly put the ball, and the game, beyond the stranded TPJC goalkeeper and his team.

A stoppage time goal from Frederick Russell (TPJC #10) gave AJC a late scare, his venomous low shot beating the goalkeeper at his far post. The game finally ended at 4-3, with AJC claiming a hard fought victory. Despite suffering a defeat, the TPJC spirit and determination must not be discounted.

When quizzed on the topsy-turvy game, the AJC captain Soh Ming Jun (#6) commented, “Honestly I was not worried because I felt that we were the better team, so we could get back. But I was worried about their set pieces and had to tell my team to stay focused and keep going to get the win.”

AJC face Catholic Junior College in their next game, as they look to qualify for the second round.

Score by Half
TPJC vs AJC
1st Half: 1-2
2nd Half: 2-2
Full-time: 3-4

Scorers
TPJC
Gowrath Nelson s/o Anthony D (#24) – 1 goal
Wang En Guang (#5) – 1 goal
Russell Frederick David (#10) – 1 goal

AJC
Saran Raj S/O Karunanithy (#10) – 2 goals
Muhammad Akmal Addin B Supandi (#4) – 1 goal
Nallasamy Kavinkumar (#21) – 1 goal

TPJC Roster
Wong Jun Hui Brandon (#9), Muhammad Afiq Bin Hajis (#18), Nicholas Siah Shi Cai (#8), Kim Jing Zhe (#16), Chua Wei Yang (#6), Muhammad Azzamuddin Haziq B Z (#11), Muhammad Najwan B Muhammad Najib (#23), Ho Qi-Yeong (#14), Hong Haii (#15), Sapitan Angelico Oblen (#19), Russell Frederick David (#10), Fariz B Mohamed Yousuf (#17), Gowrath Nelson s/o Anthony D (#24), Chua Yi Hang (#4), Jaydon Chong Wei Ler (#1), Muhammad Khairul Akmal B Ali (#13), Muhammad Khairul Irfan B Salim (#21), Luke Wang En Guang (#5), Pathinettan Finny (#22), Amir Haziq Afandi B Ismail (#7)

AJC Roster
Loh Guan Yuan (#1), Yin E-Zac (#2), Rayner Hong Qi Xuan (#3), Muhammad Akmal Addin B Supandi (#4), Soh Ming Jun (#6), S Nasheylen Pillai (#7), Tan Jing Xuan, Caleb (#8), Tan Zong Yuan (#9), Saran Raj S/O Karunanithy (#10), Muhammad Nabil Bin Khalid (#11), Poh Jie An (#13), Oh Jun Ming (#14), Kwek Jian Xuan (#15), Rishi Ravikumar (#17), Yap Junxiang (#18), Lee Chia Rei (#20), Nallasamy Kavinkumar (#21), Goh Khiam Hee (#22), Chan Jin (#23), Benjamin Ong Chee Meng (#19)

National A Division Football Championship – fixtures and results

More photos next page