Story by REDintern Darren Ho. Photos by Les Tan/Red Sports

national a div football hci vs mjc

Royston Tan (MJC #10) heads over a stranded Xavier Koo (HCI #1) to score. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Meridian Junior College, Tuesday, April 12, 2016 — Justin Hui (#4) and Royston Tan (#10) scored twice each before half-time as Meridian Junior College (MJC) tore Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) apart 5-0 in the National A Division Football Championship.

The win secured MJC top place in their Round 1 group and they were undefeated in their five games, scoring 34 goals while conceding none.

Coming into this game, HCI had conceded five goals in their previous three games, and this was their second loss in the group. They were not in the running for Round 2.

MJC now find themselves in a tough Round 2 group that includes Victoria Junior College, Millennia Institute, and St. Andrew’s Junior College.

Defending champions MJC got going as early as the 4th minute when Justin Hui (#4) launched a sizzling free-kick from just outside the penalty box which flew over the wall of HCI defenders and beat the dive of goalkeeper Xavier Koo (HCI #1).

Justin (#4) doubled his goal tally in the 20th minute – again from long range – after his shot took a deflection off an HCI defender before finding the net for a 2-0 MJC lead.

MJC added more misery for HCI four minutes later. Royston Tan (#10) timed his run superbly to head home a Jazzmen Teo (#11) cross over a stranded Xavier Koo (HCI #1).

Royston (#10) soon headed his second and MJC’s fourth goal from a free kick before Nathanael Chin (#9) wrapped up the goal blitz with a glancing header after connecting with Jazzmen’s (#11) free-kick from the left flank before half-time.

HCI did respond better in the second half with their ultra-defensive style of play, and were able to contain the MJC goal threats. They were more confident in moving the ball at the back but could not manage to push forward and test MJC goalkeeper Ivan Hoo (#1).

HCI resorted to long-ball tactics on the counter attack to find strikers Calvin Ong (#9) and Chua Cheng Leong (#18) but MJC defenders were quick to dispossess the HCI strikers.

MJC continued to attack with intent but the goals dried up for them in the second half.

Score by Half
MJC vs HCI
1st Half: 5-0
2nd Half: 0-0
Full-time: 5-0

Scorers
MJC
Justin Hui (#4) – 2 goals (4th min and 20th min)
Royston Tan (#10) – 2 goals (24th min and 34th min)