By REDintern Fiona Lee
Cheryl Lim (#16) attempts a shot in the penalty box. (Photo 1 © REDintern Marcus Quek)
Temasek Junior College, Wednesday, April 24, 2013 — Victoria Junior College (VJC) defeated Meridian Junior College (MJC) 4–1 in round one of the National A Division Girls’ Football Championship.
Less than five minutes into the game, VJC’s Lim Li Xian (#10) and Vikki Lim Li (#19) began testing the MJC keeper Chua Feng Jing as they blasted the ball over and shot on target respectively. Their attempts were denied by the keeper who made the saves without hesitation.
Not long later, VJC’s captain, Genevieve Lee (#13), was able to capitalise on a free kick given right outside the penalty box. She went directly for goal and placed it just out of the keeper’s reach, making the score 1–0 to VJC.
The game continued with both teams matching each other with speed. While MJC fought for their chances to score, their every attempt was swiftly cleared by VJC’s strong back line.
Yet, MJC’s determination was not unrewarded. A corner kick from captain Fatin Aqillah (#9) sent the ball right to the middle of the penalty box where Nur Fitri (#11) fired the ball into the top left-hand corner of the goal, tying it 1–1.
Genevieve (#13) of VJC stood out as she capably dribbled past her opponents and distributed the ball in the midfield. She was instrumental in VJC’s second goal when she crossed the ball over to teammate Li Xian (#10) who kicked a solid grounder to make it 2–1.
While VJC continually tested MJC’s defence, the latter were unwilling to let history repeat and upped their game. They forced VJC to play outside of the penalty box by closing them down.
However, luck was just not on MJC’s side as one of their players committed a handball foul just outside the penalty box. VJC’s Li Xian (#10) stepped up to take the free kick, scoring her second goal as the ball landed in the back of the net to give VJC a 3–1 half-time lead.
The second half saw numerous missed opportunities and wasted attempts as MJC tightened their defence considerably against a skillful VJC. Another free kick by Genevieve (#13) of VJC just outside the penalty box saw MJC keeper Chua Feng Jing save it.
MJC’s strikers Nur Fitri (#11) and Syahirain Bte Muhamed Ramlan (#29) worked in tandem as they tried creating opportunities for goals. However, it was to no avail as they were lacking in their finish. In the final minutes of the game, Li Xian (#10) of VJC managed to complete her hat-trick with yet another powerful grounder to give her team a 4–1 victory at the final whistle.
Captain of VJC, Genevieve Lee (#13), felt that it was a hard-fought game. She said that the goal which her team conceded made them strive towards playing better.
“It actually served as a wake up call and made us want to do better,” said Genevieve.
“Go hard or go home,” she added, after expressing that her team’s goal was to be the champions this season.
MJC’s captain, Fatin Aqillah (#9), had similar sentiments as she too shared that her team’s goal is to win the A Division Championship.
Fatin said: “We have played better today as compared to our previous two matches against Temasek (TJC) and St. Andrew’s Junior College (SAJC). VJC is a strong team and to hold them till the final whistle is an achievement for us.”
“It’s not about the outcome but more of the way we played. We’ve done our best and we’re leaving the field with no regrets,” added the MJC captain.
VJC is now at the top of the group as they have beaten MJC, TJC, SAJC and Hwa Chong Institution (HCI). MJC would be the most likely candidate to qualify for the next round. MJC have won all their matches except against VJC, and will play their last match of round one against HCI on Friday, May 3, 2013 at Meridian Junior College.
Score
VJC vs MJC
1st half: 3–1
2nd half: 1–0
Scorers
VJC
Lim Li Xian (#10) — 3 goals
Genevieve Lee Min (#13) — 1
MJC
Nur Fitri Chang Hui Mei (#11) — 1 goal
VJC Roster
Anisha Chaudhari (#6), Ashley Chew Yue Ling (#14), Cheryl Lim (#16), Genevieve Lee Min (#13), Grace Yeo Huan Jing (#4), Ho Yii Hwei (#15), Jasmine Apryl Tan Szu Yin (#18), Jennifer Zoontjens (#17), Jolene Pea Zuo Lin (#12), Lim Li Xian (#10), Ong Sue Cern (#2), Sara Merican (#5), Seet Xi Ning (#20), Shannen Lee (#11), Sim Si Hui (#3), Siti Nabilah Bte Rahman (#8), Tan Myen Hilary (#7), Tho Bei Yi Joey (#9), Vikki Lim Li (#19)
MJC Roster
Chua Feng Jing (#1), Zhan Nan Xin (#2), Leong Sue Hui Raelene (#4), Amanina Bte Affan (#5), Deborah Lee Yong-Xin (#8), Fatin Aqillah Bte Mohamed R (#9), Nur Fitri Chang Hui Mei (#11), Agnes Yong Kai Yun (#12), Tan Hui Ling Isabel (#13), Ola Elsaid Ahmed Abdalla (#14), Dini Fitriyani Bte Harun (#15), Wong Qi Feng (#17), Tham Kai Rong (#19), Nur Atiqah Bte Ridzwan (#23), Pan Hui Khuan (#24), Nur Shahfiqah Bte Muhamad S (#25), Nurul Huda Bte Elias (#28), Syahirain Bte Muhamed Ramlan (#29), Toh Khai Wen (#31), Lim En Pei (#32)
2013 National A Division Girls’ Football Championship – fixtures and results
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