Contributed by reader Yinhong

Jalan Besar Stadium, Thursday, May 6, 2010 – Raffles Institution (RI), the dark horses of the A Division Girls Football Championship this season, gave their title-chasing credentials another boost with a 1-0 victory over Meridian Junior College (MJC) in a close semi-final game.

In the group stage, both teams had shown spirited progress from last year’s performance, to head their respective groups. MJC topped Group B with 12 points, while RI led Group A with 13 points, scoring 31 goals in 5 matches.

The significance of the match lay in its coveted place to the finals, which had eluded both schools thus far, since the tournament’s inception in 2005. As such, it was a tightly-fought contest from both teams from start to finish.

In the 7th min, RI showed neat attacking play. With her back to the goal, RI striker #14 laid the ball to #22 in centre midfield, who sliced a through pass to the left wing, for #17 to shoot.

The link-up between the centre and the left occurred again in the 17th min, as a simple one-two between #22 and #17 finished in a shot, which was again collected by Connie Ho (#1), MJC’s goalkeeper.

It was a glimpse to the teamwork that would characterize RI’s attack through the course of the game.

Meanwhile, MJC kept a tight reign on the match with a sturdy, decisive backline that did not give RI time on the ball. Captain Anne Marie (#8) was industrious at the centre, and several attacks were made as Abigail Tan (#7) worked down the right wing.

MJC won a free-kick in the 22nd min, which was cleared. RI was quick to counter-attack, and a run by #17 brought the ball all the way to the by-line. Her acute pass into the box was eventually finished poorly, as the RI attack was thwarted once again by a persistent MJC defence.

The first half ended in a goalless draw, on a buoyant note hardly reflected in the 0-0 shoreline.

Shortly after half-time, the long-anticipated goal was clinched by RI. The captain, #22, dribbled past several players through the centre and was brought down, winning a free-kick. Her subsequent shot curled enticingly onto the far post, but was cleared. The loose ball was pounced upon by Fu Liye (#16), whose shot beat the keeper, rippling the net.

The goal was a blow to Meridian hearts, who despite this lapse, had been performing admirably. Refusing to relent, they continued fighting with the backing of the 13th (wo)man, their boisterous fans.

Their scoring chance came soon when Annemarie Chua (#8) collected the ball on the right, and held off her marker to cross into the box. The attacker, Fairuz (#3), connected cleanly with the ball, but the RI keeper #1 was quick to save.

Thereafter, RI won several free-kicks, which caused danger in the MJC penalty area, but missed the chance to convert them into goals again.

With 10 mins left on the clock, MJC had another chance to equalise. A corner-kick by #8 fell to #3, waiting unmarked outside the box. Her shot looked goal-bound as it sailed over the sea of players, but #1 reached the end of it and palmed it away to safety.

The win for RI means they will face Victoria Junior College in the finals at Jalan Besar next Wednesday (12 May 2010), 4pm. The third/fourth place will be fought between MJC and St Andrew’s Junior College, at 2.30pm.