By reader Ignatius Ang
Serangoon Junior College, Monday, April 3, 2011 — In a match where controversial refereeing was a hot talking point, Temasek Junior College (TJC) shocked everyone with a 2-1 win over favourites Millennia Institute in an exciting National A Division Football Championship match.
This was TJC’s first win after having lost their two previous Group D games against Raffles Institution (0-8) and Serangoon Junior College (0-3). Millennia have yet to win a game, their previous game being a 0-0 draw with Serangoon JC (SRJC).
TJC lie third in their group while MI are fourth with a game in hand. RI currently lead this group with SRJC lying second. Only the top two qualify for the next round.
Although many would point to the questionable penalty decision in both the first and second half against MI, TJC’s organized defending and match discipline were crucial in their slim and shocking win.
TJC kicked off the match only to find themselves defending against MI’s speedy wingers, Justin Sandosham (#11) and Andrew Yeo (#12).
The first goal of the game came when the MI winger Andrew Yeo (#12) took the corner and it was met by the head of Gopalan (#15) who converted it into a goal, to the cheers of the Millennia bench and supporters.
MI were pressuring TJC in search of a second goal and it almost came when Andrew Yeo (#12) burst through TJC’s defense, winning the physical challenge against the TJC centre back and slotting the ball into the back of the net. However, the referee had blown the whistle for a foul and it was not counted.
TJC were trying to find a goal but were thwarted by an excellent MI defense.
Justin Sandosham (MI #11) posed plenty of problems for the TJC defense with his quick feet but his team wasted many chances with the majority of their shots going over the TJC goal.
TJC finally found their equalizer when their striker Habib Ahmad (#10) converted a controversial penalty which was given when the MI #10 supposedly handballed inside the box.
In the second half, MI were awarded a penalty when a TJC defender tripped the MI striker in the box. However, MI wasted the chanced to take the lead when the spot kick was blasted just inches away from the goal.
MI blew further chances and a couple of one-on-ones with the TJC keeper and it looked like the game would end in a draw.
The match winning moment came for TJC in the dying minutes of the second half when they were awarded another penalty when one of their player fell inside the box, triggering discussion on whether or not the player dived.
Habib Ahmad (TJC #10) stepped up and converted the spot kick to give TJC the lead and eventual shock 2-1 win.
Despite controlling possession, Millennia failed to convert their chances into goals and this allowed TJC to steal the win from them.
TJC have one more game to go with River Valley High on Thursday, April 7th, while MI will play Raffles Institution on Monday, April 11th.
National A Division Boys’ Football Championship — Full fixtures and results
Hahahahahaah easier for srjc after this win? Mi is through to the next round. After beating rijc 2-0. And rvh 7-0. Awww.
Guys, everyone, I think it’s best if you don’t argue with one another. We have our own opinions. Don’t have to challenge another person’s opinion, esp if it involves jeering any party. Play the gentlemen’s game, Singaporeans.
MI indeed had more clear cut chances and had more possession in the midfield than TJ. No doubt TJ was lucky to have won this match. However about the penalties, I couldn’t see what happened for the first one – so many player’s body blocking the ball how to tell if its a handball? Only ref and players will know.
But for the second tackle is a CLEAR penalty and TJ indeed had a organized defence. MI just suay. Miss penalty and 1 to 2 one on ones.
Sitting at the grandstand, I barely could see the ball touching the player’s hand as all I saw was the ball moving towards that player and that’s it, his whole body covered it, it just seemed like the ball hit his face from the grandstand. May be you sat at the TJC substitute bench which in my opinion is an even worst place to catch the action. How is this article bias when the person stated the pros about TJC in the match? I have to argue about the part where you said TJC had equal share of possession because from what I saw, MI had the ball majority of the time compared to TJC. 3 on 1 situation against the TJC player? Since when did that occur once on the pitch? I didn’t see 3 players pressing the TJC player at once, such an overstatement. I have a feeling you’re someone on the pitch and not watching from the stands.
First of all, this article is bias. It does not make it a fair article just because they stated one line of what TJC did well.
Secondly, they did have equal share of possession. Though it might not have seemed so in the first half, it was a CLEAR and OBVIOUS fact in the second half.
Next, the scenario I was talking about in which TJ earned their 2nd penalty was when TJC counter-attacked MI, and the left winger Habib cut into the box leading to a 3 attackers and 1 MI defender situation. He laid it of to the striker who was through on goal and was clearly pushed from behind by the MI defense. It was similar to the case when Arshavin was pushed by Bramble in the Premier League a few weeks ago.
Lastly, I accept TJC was poor against RI. But we are still a good team. If MI was such a good team, you should have soundly beaten TJC. Yes this was a shock. No doubt. But it was fully deserved. By the way – I was sitting in the stands RIGHT NEXT TO THE SRJC STUDENTS!
#15 for MI is just gopal.
biased? TJC winning MI after getting thrashed left right centre by RJ and SR? Who will believe? Obviously it’s just a lucky win and don’t come here and say neutral POV leh, if really neutral then say this article biased for what? Fail. MI were just unlucky. All the best MI!
Then how would you explain TJ beating RVH 4-0? Fluke again?
it’s just RVH lol.
RVH lose to raffles 2-0 only
Baik habib!!!!!!!:););)
Im sorry to say but Im absolutely disgusted by the biasness that this article has for MI. TJC, unlike their first two games stood toe to toe with MI in the midfield, and had equal share of possession. The first penalty was a clear penalty, and sitting from the stands it was clear as daylight that the MI player had handled it. Though MI created more chances, TJC thoroughly deserved the win. Also to note. The 2nd penalty awarded to TJC was spot on. It was a 3 against one situation when Habib laid the ball of to Azmi who was clear on goal. The MI defender who was coming back to his position, pushed Azmi as he was about to strike the ball. If i was to complain about anything it would be the fact that the MI player who fouled TJ’s captain was still on the pitch for denying a goal scoring opportunity.
Pardon me for saying this, but I was a spectator and I think that this article is heavily biased. I think that tjc played well and the penalties were not controversial. To be honest, they were quite blatant fouls. Sry, but just a neutral point of view here.
I don’t feel that this article is biased at all. I was watching the first match all the way to this last match and the referee really had to be questioned about his decisions not only regarding the penalty, there was a blatant handball by an MI player in TJC’s half but the referee had full view of it and didn’t even blow the whistle. As an SR student, we were happy that TJC won as it would mean that it would be easier for us to get into the second round however I would have to disagree with you on your reply.
Tj 10 is Habib Ahmad 🙂