ACJC upset defending champions Meridian JC in A Division football

By Les Tan/Red Sports

Meridian Junior College Field, Thursday, April 30, 2009 – Anglo-Chinese Junior College beat Meridian Junior College 2-1 to breath life back into their A Division Football Championship campaign.

After going down 0-1 to Raffles Institution in their first quarter-final group game on Monday, ACJC had their backs to the wall. Meridian, on the other hand, were coming off a 2-1 win over Tampines Junior College.

ACJC showed early intent when Yong Geng (#17) hit a shot that flew just wide. A cross-field pass by Devesh (MJC, #9) found teammate Attah Joseph (#21) but his volley was high and wide.

A neat back flick by Trevor (ACJC, #8) set teammate Adam Yuu Douglas (#26) through. Adam’s charge into the penalty box was ended by a strong MJ challenge. Appeals for a penalty were denied.

The ACJC defense was suspect in the air and struggled with high balls, and it almost cost them when they couldn’t clear properly. The ball fell nicely for Devesh but his shot was well saved by the ACJC keeper Pierson Ang (#16).

Then came the first ACJC goal. A free-kick by Wycliffe Tan (#13) led to a goalmouth scramble. Yong Geng got to it and lashed home the opening goal to stun the defending champions.

MJC captain Fazli (#7) then had an excellent opportunity to equalise when ACJC gave up a free-kick at the edge of the penalty box. With the ACJC wall lined up on the edge of the 6-yard box, Fazli wasted the opportunity when his blast hit the wall and bounced to safety.

MJC would regret that miss as ACJC came back to score the second through captain Adam (#26) after an excellent cross from the impressive Wycliffe Tan (#13). A long kick upfield by the ACJC keeper was misjudged by the MJC defence. Wycliffe chased down the bouncing ball and whipped high across to the far side and Adam outjumped the MJC defence to put it past the keeper.

Then came another excellent chance for MJC to score when Devesh (#9) was fed with a pass and found himself all alone in the penalty box. However, it took him an age to get the ball under control and a grateful AC defender got back in time to snuff out the attack before Devesh could get a shot off.

Two early headers by defender Jonathan Yap (ACJC, #5) threatened to increase the 2-0 lead for ACJC but the MJ keeper was up to the task for one while the other was just over.

Then Attah Joseph (MJC, #21) had a clear chance in the box but his miss left him, his teammates and supporters holding their heads and groaning.

Adam (ACJC, #26) then barged his way through into the MJC penalty box but his stiff shot hit the post and the rebound was gathered by a grateful MJC keeper.

An ACJC injury left their central defence in disarray and Devesh (MJC, #9) was put clear through on a one-on-one but he missed.

With the MJC onslaught starting, Adam was switched back into a central defensive role to help the struggling defence. All semblance of any ACJC attacking play disappeared as they went into a siege mentality.

The MJC pressure paid off when Devesh (#9) volleyed home their first goal inside the box after a scramble but try as they might, they could not find a second goal.

“We worked as a team. That’s our forte,” said ACJC captain Adam Yuu Douglas after the game. “The Raffles game (where they lost 0-1) was a disappointment but it was good wake-up call.”

The win gives ACJC their first points in the group and puts them in third place on goal difference. If they beat Tampines Junior College in their final game on Monday, they will qualify for the semi-finals.

Meridian Junior College also have destiny in their hands. A win against Raffles Institution in their final game on Monday, May 4th, will also secure their passage to the semi-finals.

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N.B. If you recognise the players, let us know the names in the comments section. We’ll update the captions. Thanks.

For more game pics, please go to the gallery.