Raffles Institution and Meridian JC through to A Division boys’ floorball semi-finals

By Koh Yizhe/Red Sports

Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall, Thursday, May 6, 2010 – Raffles Institution (RI) and Meridian Junior College (MJC) both booked their places in the semi-finals of the A Division Boys’ Floorball Championship with victories in their final Group B matches.

MJC registered a comfortable 8-2 win over National JC (NJC) to finish second in the group behind RI, who maintained their undefeated streak with a nervy 4-2 victory over Anglo-Chinese JC (ACJC). RI finished with 13 points while MJC go through with 12.

MJC needed a win against NJC to secure a spot in the last four and they were quick to take the lead within the opening five minutes through captain Jared Goh (#10). They then added another before the end of the first period for a 2-0 lead.

The second period belonged to them as they hit five goals past NJC including two in the first minute. Jared Goh scored another two goals to complete his hat-trick while Abdul Wafiy (#7), Tan Chang Tat (#22) and Marcus Kong (#89) all got on the score sheet as well.

NJC came out fighting in the third and pulled two goals back, but MJC were clearly the better side and Jared scored another goal to make it 8-2.

With MJC sealing their place in the last four, Anglo-Chinese JC had to beat RI to make it through to the semi-finals. A draw would take MJC and RI through, with MJC finishing as group leaders.

ACJC took the game to RI and they were handed an advantage when RI had two players sent to the sin bin in the opening period. ACJC, however, failed to make their numerical advantage count and the score stayed level.

RI quickly recovered from this opening setback and Muhammad Haikal Rosman soon broke the deadlock with four minutes and 20 seconds left in the first period. The goal shocked ACJC into action and they pushed for the equaliser, but were unable to find it as the opening period ended 1-0 in favour of RI.

With the match being played at an intense pace, both teams had players sent to the sin bin in the second period, but it was RI that threatened to extend their lead. 6:35 into the second period, Sundaramoorthy Arulnithi (#11) had a shot saved by the ACJC goalkeeper before Theodore Tan (#7) had another effort kept out.

Two minutes later though, RI doubled their lead.

Theodore (RI #7) fired an unstoppable shot from the left into the far corner of the net to give RI a two-nil lead.

RI continued to dominate and they soon got a third. Off a free hit, the ball made its way to Kieran Ram Chandra (#15) who took a strike at goal from distance that eluded everyone including the NJC goalkeeper.

However, towards the end of the period, RI’s defense lost focus and they conceded two soft goals to give ACJC a lifeline. The second period ended 3-2 to RI.

ACJC came out the stronger side in the third period and they had a great chance to level the scores with a penalty after an ACJC player was fouled on a clear goal-scoring opportunity. However, Seo Kai Sam (ACJC #5) was unable to beat the RI goalkeeper, sending his shot against the RI custodian. Although they continued to pressure RI’s goal, ACJC were unable to find the breakthrough.

With less than two minutes left in the game, Theodore (RI #7) scored his second goal of the game to put the game beyond doubt for RI as they easily saw out the game.

“My team was focused today and we fought hard,” said RI’s coach Jill Quek. “Some of the umpires’ calls did affect us, but we took the game as it came. Today we stuck to our game plan and we were able to see the game through.”

“I haven’t thought about my next match yet, but I don’t have any expectations from the boys. I just want them to play each game as it comes and enjoy themselves,” added coach Quek.

N.B. If you recognise the players, let us know their names and we’ll update the captions. Thanks.

Go to the SCHOOLS FIXTURES & RESULTS page for more information

Want to nominate YOUR favourite A Division floorball player? Click here!