Story by REDintern Carissa Tan. Photos by REDintern Lee Jian Wei

REDSPORTS_UNITEC_W_Soccer_SMU_NYP

Lynette Seow (SMU #9) celebrating after scoring a goal. (Photo 1 © REDintern Lee Jian Wei)

Nanyang Polytechnic, Friday, January 30, 2015 — Singapore Management University (SMU) displayed outstanding teamwork to claim a 3–0 opening win over Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) in the preliminary round of the Singapore Management University UNITEC Soccer Games (SMU-USG).

NYP started the match strongly but were almost instantly taken off the ball by harassing SMU midfielders.

SMU showed excellent chemistry on pitch, as midfielders Lynette Seow (#9) and Joey Cheng (#23) speedily distributed the ball to their left and right wingers. SMU even relied on their defenders to launch far balls. This allowed them to switch the play easily from left to right.

Despite the best efforts of NYP defenders to keep up, SMU attackers were able to break through their defence repeatedly. SMU’s Samantha Tan (#7) and Simran Rajiv (#24) worked together to set up many goal opportunities, employing skilful tactics such as wall passing to get past numerous NYP defenders.

In the 31st minute, a powerful corner kick taken by Lynette Seow (SMU #9) sent defenders scrambling in the penalty box in a bid to clear the ball. Amidst this confusion, an NYP defender unintentionally sent a header over her own goalkeeper, giving SMU their first goal.

This was succeeded by a goal from Lynette Seow (SMU #9) barely two minutes later. She dribbled skilfully past two defenders to score a stunning grounder.

The second half of the match saw a more eager SMU and similarly, a tenacious NYP seeking to narrow the gap. SMU’s goalkeeper, Valerie Goh (#1), remained relatively unchallenged although NYP eventually broke through SMU defenders a few times.

However, SMU were quick to counter-attack. Pauline Cheng (SMU #12) scored their final goal in the 57th minute by placing the ball neatly out of the goalkeeper‘s reach.

“It was a good game but there is always room for improvement,” said SMU’s Simran Rajiv (#24), whom her captain said was their best player for the match.

SMU’s captain, Lynette Seow (#9), said, “They were physical and didn’t give us much space.” She commended the NYP team for fighting till the very end, stating that their tenacious spirit was what made the match so tough.

With this win, SMU join NTU at the top of Group B. SIM currently tops Group A.

Score by half
SMU vs NYP
1st half: 2–0
2nd half: 1–0

SMU roster
Valerie Goh Shi Rui (#1), Yeong Siew Mei (#2), Samantha Tan Hui Min (#7), Lynette Seow Hui Xin (#9), Amanda Lau Shernin (#10), Mao Yezhen (#11), Pauline Cheng Ochura (#12), Poon Chor Yi (#16) , Samantha Koh Li Qin (#21), Joey Cheng Yu Ying (#23), Simran Rajiv Karamchandani (#24)

NYP roster
Rinn Binte Abdul Rahim (#5), Nor Azila Bte Abdul Aziz (#7), Natalie Vincent (#9), Ang Hui Min Kenzie (#13), Angeline Abiraame (#17), Amanda Anne D’silva (#18), Natasha Bte Mohd Thazah (#20), Syuhaidah Binte Mohd Noor (#21), Noor Sheereen Bte Khaja Rizwan Ali (#22), Felicia Lim Ai Lin (#24), Nur Lydia Binte Azhar (#25)

More photos next page