VJC surge past RI in girls’ A Division football semi-final

By REDintern Cai Yinhong

Jalan Besar Stadium, Thursday, May 14, 2009- Victoria Junior College (VJC) surged past Raffles Institution 10-1 in a spectacular semi-final match, despite an early scare that saw RJC take the lead minutes into the game. VJC responded well with determined attacking football, that saw them 6-1 up by half-time.

The top four schools that emerged from this year's A Division Girls’ Football Championships were the same as in the 2008 edition. Despite the departure of last year's crop of players, the schools have been able to grow an entirely new batch of players to yield teams that continue to match, and even surpass, the standard of football set by its predecessors.

This thrilling goal-fest left spectators hanging on the edge of their seats with action from both sides of the field. Victoria controlled the game with her relentless attacks, and had more chances to widen the score line, if not for the efforts of Raffles goalkeeper (#1). RI, refusing to give in, also threatened with goal-scoring chances, but were unable to convert these attempts.

Victoria got off to a jittery start when a misjudged clearance by a VJC defender gave Raffles a 1-0 lead minutes from kick-off. The VJC defence had been impenetrable throughout the season, and conceding its first goal jolted the team into action. Swiftly, the team rallied to fight back and Bethany Koh (#4) scored to level the game 1-1.

In the 10th minute it was her strike-partner's turn to score, as Rachel Wong (#6) made it 2-1. By then, Victoria had got the game under control.Their comeback was given another boost when a miscued kick by an RJC defender sailed into her own net to hand VJC a 3-1 lead.

A counter-attack by VJC in the 20th minute ended in goal. As a corner-kick by Raffles was cleared, the VJC midfield made a pass to Amelia Tang (#9), who was pulling free on the right wing. Her cross found the feet of Rachel Wong (#6), who scored again. Barely a minute later, VJC were 5-1 up, as an uneasy clearance in the Raffles penalty area led to a goalmouth scramble and Zhang Qian (#18) seized a loose ball to convert.

Showing intent to extend their lead, VJC's waves of relentless attacks brought goal number six in the 34th minute when a stray shot by Rachel Wong (#6) found its way to the back of the net to complete her hat-trick.

After the interval, VJC did not relinquish her dominance and opened the scoring accounts in the second half in the 42nd minute, when RJC's weak goal-kick was pounced upon, and Tan Xinyi (#11) slotted the ball into goal. Seven minutes later VJC scored again in similar fashion, as Bethany Koh (#4) collected the goal-kick and hit a shot that flew beyond the keeper's reach.

Despite the unflattering score line, the Rafflesians continued to cheer their team with roars of "Raffles". The coach made several substitutions in an attempt to impede VJC, but their impact was contained by a disciplined VJC side.

VJC took her tally to 9 goals in the 54th minute. A corner-kick by Amelia Tang (#9) sailed over the leaping defence, and was nudged into goal by centre-back Sukhanya Suresh (#13).

The final goal in the last minutes of the game brought apt closure for this encounter. Beginning from the VJC midfield as they probed for goal, the ball passed to Tan Xinyi (#11), whose mazy run evaded several defenders.

Her shot was blocked, but her teammate, substitute Grace Ling (#15), latched on the clearance. This refusal to concede was characteristic of the resolve that marked VJC's football this afternoon, and unhesitatingly, she fired into goal from outside the 6-yard box, making it 10-1.