Story and pictures contributed by reader Marvin Lowe
Delta Sports Complex, Thursday, May 22, 2008 – Raffles Junior College edged out St. Andrew’s Junior College 1-0 to capture the the A Division Boys’ Hockey Championship title.
SAJC surprised all odds to make it to the final this year against favourites RJC. In an earlier group game, RJC had whipped SAJC 4-0 and they were looking for yet another easy game in the final. However, SAJC fought hard and gave RJC a run for their money.
RJC started the game confidently, playing a fluid passing game coupled with pace. They spread their play wide, often sending the ball across flanks with much ease. The RJC players demonstrated pin-point accuracy passing across the field and equally good ball control. They took a direct approach in their attack, cutting in from the flanks at times to hit the ball across the goalmouth, hoping that a team mate would put the ball in. The first chance of the game fell to RJC in this exact manner. However, the player on the receiving end went for the ball at full stretch but failed to make contact.
SAJC were able to effectively disrupt the rhythm of RJC’s game, intercepting some of the their long passes. These interceptions even led to counter-attacks for SAJC. For a period in the first half, RJC were on the back foot, defending instead of attacking. In one of their marauding runs into the RJC goal area, SAJC managed to earn a penalty corner and a RJC defender was shown a green card. However, they did not make full use of the opportunity and it came to naught.
Both teams entered the break goalless and SAJC were more than content with the scoreline. If the game remained scoreless, penalty flicks would be used to settle the outcome of the game. SAJC had previously triumphed over Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) in penalty flicks to make it into this final. This would be one aspect of the game where they would have had extra practice and confidence in.
In the second half, RJC began to restore order and slowly regained control of the game. They launched wave after wave of attacks on the SAJC goal but it remained impenetrable. RJC came close not long after the start of the second half. From a penalty corner, a well worked move saw the ball played across the goal and had the goalkeeper beaten. With only a defender on the line to beat, the RJC forward inexplicably missed the goal and puts the ball wide. This was not to be their last chance and they continued their siege on the SAJC goal.
They finally managed to put the ball past goalkeeper in the last 10 minutes of the game. SAJC had fought valiantly for the most parts of the game, trying to hold off the RJC attack but they just couldn’t stop this goal. With the clock running down, SAJC managed one last attack which was foiled by the RJC keeper. RJC emerged as champions but only after managing a narrow win against a opponent they thought they could beat with ease.
RJC’s captain, Jeremy, was definitely happy and relieved to retain the title but he was just as disappointed not to have scored more goals. When asked about his team’s performance, he gave an honest assessment. “We played an attacking game and I know that my team is a talented team. I believed that they tried their best but I don’t think they played to their potential today. Kudos to SAJC for fighting hard and giving us a challenge as well.”
Like the VJC girls, this is RJC’s sixth title in a row and they look set to be the team to beat again next year.
not as if sajc doesn’t have sa boys from the secondary section…
I watched the game. Rj was really terrible, completely out of sorts on that day.. Was hoping that SA could pip them and break their dominance. After all the only reason why RJ is good is cos they have RI. LOL.