Victoria Junior College overcome Raffles JC to set up second Victorian-Saint final in 3 years

Story and pictures contributed by reader Jolyn Ang.

It was a scintillating battle between the two captains. Kuan Ren (right, VJC) momentarily gets the upper hand over her Rafflesian counterpart Germaine Yap, literally. (Photo 1 © Jolyn Ang)

St Wilfred’s Stadium, Wednesday, May 7, 2008 – The score read 3-0 after 80 minutes of play. Though Victoria Junior College had beaten Raffles Junior College in this National A Division Girls Championship football semi-final, both teams would go away with the knowledge that the score was not a fair reflection of a game that could have gone either way.

Raffles Junior College went into the game as the slight underdogs. However to everyone’s surprise, they were dominant upon the referee’s signal to start, whereas the Victorians took their time to settle in. The Rafflesian supporters did the Victorians no favours as their loud cheers gave their own team a morale lift, placing pressure on the players in yellow whose supporters had not arrived yet.

However, the Rafflesians failed to capitalize on their early possession. The Victorians managed to come close to grabbing the lead with a counter-attack, but attacker Wan Xin’s chip over the keeper crawled agonisingly past the goalpost.

The captains from both teams asserted their authority in midfield where play was confined for most of the first half. Both teams enjoyed sporadic possession but were unable to get good shots on target as defence was tight. It became increasingly important for both sides to grab the opener to clinch the psychological advantage over their opponents.

Fortunately for the Victorians, Ang Kuan Ren stepped up and banged in a goal from outside the penalty box late in the first half. 1-0 to VJC, but the Rafflesians would not give up. They pressured the Victorian defense early in the second half, coming very close to an equaliser with a shot after a messy Victorian clearance.

The Rafflesians were left to rue their missed chances when VJC demonstrated their superior finishing. Seah Pei Qi connected with a long ball despite RJC’s #14’s tight marking and she flicked the ball past the onrushing RJC keeper to bring the score to 2-0.

As the game dragged on, the intensity of the game was taking its toll on the players. Play was stopped a few times for marshals to attend to injured players. Perhaps having that late comeback against the Saints last Wednesday in the back of their minds, the Rafflesians poured forward in search of their first final in three years after a slew of substitutions.

The Victorian defence held up, with dreams of regaining the title that they last won in 2006. Wan Xin put the game beyond doubt late in the second half, powering past RJC’s #14 and #10 before slotting it to the right side of goal. RJC’s #5, who had been spectacular throughout the game, came close to stopping that shot but was just inches behind. She had displaying strength and composure in organising the Rafflesian back line, but this was just not enough to prevent VJC from increasing their lead again.

RJC captain Germaine Yap picked up the ball after the third goal and attempted to inspire her team for a near-impossible comeback. But time was just not on her side. When the final whistle blew, it was the
Victorians who celebrated.

VJC will now face SAJC who defeated Meridian JC 2-0 in the other semi-final played concurrently. The final will be held next Wednesday (May 14, 2008) at Jalan Besar Stadium in a replay of last year’s final. The Saints managed to win 1-0 the last time around. This is the second VJC-SAJC final in three years, and it promises to be one filled with historical significance.

Red Sports caught up with VJC’s coach, Azrulnizam Shah after the match for his views on his team’s chances against their traditional rival. “No matter what, the pressure is not on us, we have nothing to lose,” he said, promising that his team will give their all next Wednesday.

Players ready themselves for the big game. (Photo 2 © Jolyn Ang)

VJC’s players struggled to drown out the Rafflesian spirit in the opening minutes, failing to string together their passes and thus had to defend against waves of RJC attacks. (Photo 3 © Jolyn Ang)

The Victorians celebrate Kuan Ren’s opener from outside the penalty box. (Photo 4 © Jolyn Ang)

RJC’s Germaine Yap takes one of the many freekicks granted to the Rafflesians. (Photo 5 © Jolyn Ang)

VJC’s Pei Qi wheels to her left and sets herself up on a collision course with teammate Wan Xin after placing the shot over the keeper. Her goal gave VJC a two-goal advantage. (Photo 6 © Jolyn Ang)

RJC’s captain was a figure of frustration after VJC’s third goal. (Photo 7 © Jolyn Ang)

Natassia and Kuan Ren rejoice at the final whistle whilst teammate Sneha and RJC’s #44 look on. (Photo 8 © Jolyn Ang)

Ed’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, feel free to leave the names behind and we will update the captions accordingly. Thanks!