Meridian JC dethrone Victoria JC in thrilling A Division boys’ floorball semi-final

By Koh Yizhe/Red Sports

Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall, Tuesday, May 11, 2010 – Last year’s runners-up Meridian Junior College (MJC) survived a late onslaught by Victoria Junior College (VJC) with just three players to edge the defending champions 4-3 in an exhilarating semi-final of the A Division Boys’ Floorball Championship.

MJC were leading 4-3 with less than two minutes remaining in the match when they had two players sent to the sin bin for an incorrect substitution and a slashing foul. Although VJC threw everything they had at MJC, they were unable to find the elusive equaliser.

It looked like VJC were going to cruise into the final when Marshall Tham (#15) sent the ball flying into the back of the MJC net with just 47 seconds on the clock. VJC won a free hit and with the MJC keeper’s vision blocked, Marshall gave the defending champions the lead.

Not to be outdone, MJC pushed for the equaliser with captain Jared Goh and Marcus Kong (#89) both taking shots at VJC’s goal. Ivan Sim (MJC #5) also had a couple of long-range efforts go wide as MJC held VJC in their own half.

MJC’s immense pressure eventually paid off seven minutes into the match when Abdul Wafiy sneaked in the equaliser.

VJC, however, were not done by a long shot and they replied three minutes later when a defensive slip-up gave them the lead. Captain Jared Goh’s failed clearance fell to Marshall Tham who needed no second invitation as he made no mistake for his and VJC’s second goal.

VJC took a 2-1 lead into the second period.

Coming out of the interval with renewed vigour, MJC immediately threatened VJC’s goal with Muhd Azhari smashing a shot against the post. They eventually drew level for the second time in the match when VJC failed to clear the ball and Muhd Firdaus (#8) was on hand to punish them.

At the other end, VJC almost responded immediately when Muhd Haziq turned his marker. His shot, however, was just wide of the post.

Both teams had scoring opportunities in the second period, but it was MJC who were looking more likely to score with wave after wave of attack crashing against VJC’s goal. They eventually managed to find the breakthrough with one minute and 28 seconds left in the second period.

Once again, VJC failed to clear their lines and this time, they were punished by Adarrel Ho (#18) who easily put it past VJC’s keeper for a 3-2 MJC lead at the second interval.

At the start of the final period, Muhd Azhari (MJC #23) had the ball in the back of the net, but play was pulled back for an MJC free hit. This sparked VJC into life and Marshall Tham and Muhd Afi Syafiq (#7) both took shots at goal, but it was Muhd Haziq that scored the equalising goal. The score was 3-3 with a little over six minutes remaining.

With time winding down, MJC had a brilliant chance to take the lead. Lim Kai Liang (VJC #10) was sent to the sin bin for pushing and MJC laid siege to VJC’s goal, taking full advantage of their numerical advantage.

MJC were given a free hit with one and a half minutes left in the match and following a timeout, the ball was threaded through to captain Jared Goh to fire home from the left into the far post.

There was more drama to follow, however, as MJC had two players sent to the sin bin for an incorrect substitution and a slashing foul. MJC were down to just two outfield players, but although VJC threw everything they had at MJC, raining shot after shot on their opponent’s goal, they were unable to find the equaliser.

“We would have loved to beat VJC in the final!” said MJC captain Jared Goh after the match. “But a win is a win and this result wasn’t predicted. We stayed confident and calm throughout the match and each of us knew what to do. The final goal was a team effort. We called for a timeout before and we executed the play to perfection.”

“When we were down to two players, I was totally nervous. If playing with three players is tiring, playing with two is hell! We just wanted to prevent a goal by any means necessary,” added Jared.

“Since we have beaten the defending champions, we are definitely gunning for the championship, but we have to guard ourselves against complacency.”

MJC will play Yishun Junior College, who easily swept RI aside 7-2, in the final on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at Republic Polytechnic.

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!