Story by REDintern Maryam Nasihah

The RP team. (Photo © Wensen)

ITE Simei, Thursday, January 15, 2009 – Republic Polytechnic (RP) shocked everyone with a thrilling 2-1 win over Combined ITE in an Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Football Championship Group B game last night.

RP scored a shock first-minute goal through target man Zuladly after teammate Amos caught the ITE defence off guard with a through pass. Zuladly latched onto it and finished it off with a far post shot for a 1-0 lead.

That goal woke up last year's runners-up and they started using the strong winds to their advantage with long balls towards into the RP penalty box.

The ITE attack looked threatening every time they got the ball into the RP penalty box and the long throws of Eddie Chang also gave headaches to the RP defenders.

ITE had numerous chances but RP somehow survived. Austin Lee of RP just managed to clear a goal-bound shot off the line while RP captain Fariduddin deflected a point-blank shot by ITE’s Fadhil Noh onto the bar.

It seemed a matter of time before ITE would score and their persistence finally paid off when they got their deserved equaliser in the 41st minute through Raihan after RP failed to clear their lines after a corner.

In the second half, both teams had their fair share of shots and were stroking the ball around confidently in search of the winning goal as a draw would not do either any good.

The visitors were putting in more effort against a much more talented ITE team consisting of quality players, namely goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, Irwan Shah, Fadhil Noh and Eddie Chang.

The winning goal finally came just 10 minutes before the final whistle when RP's Zuladly volleyed his way to glory from a corner kick by Muhd Faizal after a near post flick by Zulhelmi.

It was an emotional moment for RP as a win over ITE would mean a top-two finish in the group stages for the first time since the polytechnic was formed four years ago.

After that goal, RP worked hard and defended against the onslaught of ITE attacks. The best opportunity for ITE came from a free kick just outside the penalty box but it was fired straight into the RP wall.

As the time wound down to the final whistle, ITE gave all they had but just couldn't find the goal they were so desperate for.

When the final whistle went, RP finally earned themselves the three points to qualify for the semi-finals of the IVP Football Championship (SR Nathan Cup).

RP's Captain Fariduddin, who celebrated his 21st birthday, was very proud of his side's hard-earned victory in front of travelling schoolmates and hoped the fairy tale would continue.

"The feeling can't even be put in into words. The best present and the only present that money cannot buy. It was great!! I will remember how my 21st birthday was like with the RP soccer team. They are the best."