Contributed by reader Shadiq Al-Hussain
ACS(I)’s Nicholas Han tries to avoid JJC’s Eugene Tiang. (Photo 1 © Shadiq Al-Hussain)
CCAB, Monday, April 27, 2009 – A fine attacking display by the Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) team handed them a 6-0 win over Jurong Junior College, making them favourites to progress from Group C along with Victoria JC in the A Division Boys Hockey Championship.
Both teams entered the match tied with three points, looking for a crucial three more to aid their attempt in qualifying for the second round. However, the match turned into a one-sided affair after just a few minutes, as ACS(I) managed to settle down and dictate play from the get go.
It was no surprise then that ACS(I) were awarded their first penalty corner of the match after a mere four minutes. They grabbed the lead when centre-midfielder Jaspreet Singh converted their second penalty corner after nine minutes.
Ten minutes later, ACS(I) centre-forward Esmond Loke pushed the ball past JJC goalkeeper Hong Yu from close range to double their lead. Neither team managed to put the ball in the net in the remainder of the first half, keeping the score at 2-0 at half-time.
The second half saw no reversal of fortunes as ACS(I) continued to retain possession of the ball for prolonged periods of time. In the 37th minute, Jaspreet doubled his personal tally for the day with a well-taken reverse-stick shot from the edge of the "D".
With barely enough time for JJC to reorganise after that goal, ACS(I) were given a penalty corner in the 41st minute, which Jaspreet duly converted to dispel any lingering doubts about the outcome of the match.
Not satisfied with their four-goal lead, ACS(I) coach Kevin Nunis threw centre-forward Sherwin Fernando into the match. Sherwin went on to tap the ball in from close range following a cross from the left flank after 55 minutes.
The enthralling display of attacking hockey was capped off in the 61st minute when Jaspreet notched his fourth goal of the match with a shot that bounced off the pitch surface cruelly to deceive Hong Yu.
Man-of-the-match Jaspreet Singh, whose virtuoso display helped his team to three important points chirped, "JJC tried really hard and credit to them. But an excellent team effort led us to victory. Special credit to (my teammates) Jason and Prasad for playing an impeccable game."
ACS(I)’s Esmond Loke, Nagarajan and Prasad so Palanisamy celebrate their team’s second goal. (Photo 2 © Shadiq Al-Hussain)
ACS(I)’s Jaspreet Singh beats JJC’s Andy Ong to penetrate the D. (Photo 3 © Shadiq Al-Hussain)
ACS(I)’s Esmond Loke sends in a penalty corner under the watchful eyes of the JJC defenders. (Photo 4 © Shadiq Al-Hussain)
oh my god, 2 acs players have already missed strokes. once against vjc and another yesterday against sajc. i dont understand why #9 (prasad?)had to take the stroke, he isnt that good ive seen him play before, not even one of the best centre mids in a div’oh well, i still think the vj-acs game will be a good tough fight though i think we will be mentally affected after losing 3-1 in their first game.. go acs!!
SA beat IJ 2-0 i think.
hey sawillwin/sahockey!!!/shadiq. yesterday sajc vs ijc what is the score? and shadiq, can u cover the other group for 2nd round also? it’ll be way appreciated.
hey uh.. shadiq? can u write for the sajc vs acsi match too??? please please. and sa hockey rocks!
sawillwin> acsi beat tpjc 7-0 so they’re through. and thanks for the update on group a. so 2nd round grouping is CJC, VJC and RJC in the 1st group and IJC, ACS(I) and SAJC in the 2nd. good stuff.
so who won in the last match today? who qualify?
sajc (1st) and cjc (2nd) qualified from group b. cjc and pjc very close same points but cjc score 2 more goals.
hi rijchocker, acsi is not through yet. they have 6 points after 3 matches. njc and jjc both have 3 points after 3 matches. acsi will be through with at least a draw against tpjc on 4/5/09. if they dont get a point from that match, and either njc or jjc win their match against each other, also on 4/5/09, it will go down to goal difference. thanks for the update from your group. do u know who qualified from group b?
not bad not bad. so acsi is through already? who else is through? our group rjc and ijc through, acjc got knocked out. this acsi seem stronger than last year is that true?
what a big deal acsi trash jjc 6-0….