Story by REDintern Christy.

floorball-stock-2.jpg

Republic Polytechnic Sports Complex, Thursday, July 10, 2008 – Victoria Junior College (VJC) emerged victorious in a close match with Nanyang Junior College (NYJC), winning their A Division Floorball Championship match 6-4. It was supposed to be a fairly easy match for the boys of VJC, having won their past two matches convincingly. NYJC, on the other hand, just started floorball this year. Nevertheless, despite their strong opponents, NYJC did not go down without a fight.

It started out an even match with both teams deadlocked for the first nine minutes. It was only at the 9:22 mark that the VJC Joe (#11) manage to get a goal to start the ball rolling. Less than four minutes later, at 13:15, VJC scored their second goal. The VJC Dennis (#19) deftly caught a rebound and sent the ball straight into the back of the net for a 2-0 VJC lead.

Undaunted, NYJC, continued searching relentlessly for a chance at goal and the opportunity presented itself when, with just eight seconds left in the first period, the NYJC #18 received a ball from a corner and promptly whacked the ball straight into goal to reduce the deficit to 1-2.

The second period was much more aggressive then the first, with players from both NYJC and VJC penalized two minutes for fouling. Unfortunately, both teams failed to capitalize on their power play opportunity. Despite the rough play, the only goal of this period was in the 12:52 when the VJC Cher Han (#22) managed to score with a hard and fast shot that flew into the goal to make it 3-1. Kudos to the VJC goalkeeper Eric who aided his team by barking orders to keep the team shape.

Unfazed, NYJC came back with a vengeance in the third period, scoring just 22 seconds into the game with a brilliant, unstoppable shot by their #8 to make it 2-3. Just seconds later, NYJC scored once more with their #33 tapping the ball in during a goal melee. This time around, however, confusion ensued both on and off the court as to whether a goal was scored. Only when the scoreboard changed to 3-3 did NYJC start celebrating. Alas, their happiness would not last, as the response from VJC was fast and swift. At 1:30, VJC Dennis (#19) swung in a fast and hard shot from mid-court from Edward (#4) to jump back into the lead at 4-3.

The next goal by VJC at 1:55 was perhaps the most exciting goal of the day. It was a direct confrontation between the fierce VJC Anil (#5) player and the NYJC goalkeeper. Just as the NYJC goalkeeper was about to pick up the ball, the VJC Anil (#5) was a step faster, picking up the ball with his stick and knocking the ball immediately into goal, catching the goalkeeper unaware. 5-3 to VJC.

A minute later, a nice pass by the VJC Fauzan (#17) allowed his teammate Suren (#2) to slot into the goal neatly to make it 6-3, giving themselves a comfortable lead over NYJC.

With NYJC trailing by 3 goals, a rare penalty was awarded to NYJC. The entire court was hushed as the NYJC’s player went up to take his shot. Regrettably for NYJC, the shot deflected off the VJC goalkeeper Amos’s body to safety. Still not giving up, NYJC ploughed on to get the goals they needed, but sadly, apart from a beautiful goal from the NYJC captain #23 at 4:15, they could not muster more goals and fell to VJC 4-6.

Writer’s Note: I would like to apologize for the lack of “live” photos. This was due to unforeseen circumstances on the photographer’s part. Still, I hope you readers will enjoy this match report, albeit only in words. Readers are welcomed to send in photos to spice up this article.

Editors note: Names of the players mentioned in the article will be very much appreciated. Thanks!

a-division-floorball-table

League standings for the A Division Floorball Boys Championship as of Thursday, July 10, 2008. (League Table © Christy/REDintern)