Story by REDintern Carissa Tan. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports
A TPJC player trips over an AJC player. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)
Nanyang Junior College, Monday, March 30, 2015 — Anderson Junior College (AJC) persisted for a 3–1 victory over Tampines Junior College (TPJC) in the opening match of the National A Division Football Championship.
In the first 10 minutes, AJC struggled to break through TPJC’s defence as TPJC defenders were quick to clear the ball. This rendered many of AJC’s forward lobs ineffective.
Moreover, AJC fumbled with their clearances in the midfield. Loh Guan Yuan (TPJC #15) capitalised on this for the opening goal.
However, AJC were quick to recover from their performance in the first few minutes. Skilful dribbling from Nallasamy Kavinkumar (AJC #17) created numerous opportunities for AJC.
However, swift clearances from TPJC’s backline were a major hindrance for AJC. Through-balls to AJC strikers were easily intercepted.
Melvin Nee (AJC #7) eventually Got the equaliser with a header off a well-placed corner kick.
With the tying goal, AJC became more confident with their passing, employing more short passes despite having TPJC players at close range.
AJC captain, Andi Agus (#21), sent a curving corner kick in towards goal but it was a close call for TPJC as the shot deflected off the far post.
However, barely two minutes later, an effective through-ball gave Nallasamy Kavinkumar (AJC #17) and Faheem Zuhairi (AJC #10) an easy shot at goal. While TPJC goalkeeper, Goh Kai Lun (#1), deflected Nallasamy’s shot, he left the goal wide open for Faheem (AJC #10) who tapped in to give AJC a 2–1 lead at half-time.
TPJC showed their tenacious spirit in the second half with better chances at goal. A corner kick from Mikhail Maneck Shah (TPJC #8) caused a series of panicky clearances in the box. However, Andi Agus (AJC #21) remained level-headed and cleared it off the line.
AJC were punished for their relatively lacklustre performance in the half when they were threatened by another TPJC corner kick, resulting in a header bouncing off the crossbar.
Despite TPJC’s valiant efforts, Faheem Zuhairi (AJC #10) sealed AJC’s victory with a third goal in the final 10 minutes.
AJC captain, Andi Agus, said, “They (TPJC) were good. They were dedicated, determined and very solid at the back. I think it was very good team (play). They were just unlucky.”
AJC will be facing Yishun Junior College (YJC) next, while TPJC will go up against Victoria Junior College (VJC).
Score by half
AJC vs TPJC
1st half: 2–1
2nd half: 1–0 (3–1)
Scorers
AJC
Faheem B Zuhairi (AJC #10) – 2 goals
Melvin Nee (AJC #7) – 1 goal
TPJC
Muhammad Afiq Bin Hajis (#15) – 1 goal
AJC Roster
Darius Low Zhe Wei (#2), Lim Jun Jie (#3), Ng Jie Wu (#4), Soh Ming Jun (#5), Yap Junxiang (#6), Melvin Nee Jun Shun (#7), Leong Xiu Yi (#8), Chew Ding Xun (#9), Faheem B Zuhairi (#10), Marcus Pang Wei Hao (#11), Noor Ashik Ali Bin Nawan Ahmat (#12), Muhammed Akmal Addin B Supandi (#14), Loh Guan Yuan (#15), Nallasamy Kavinkumar (#17), Saran Raj S/O Karunanithy (#18), Kyaw Htet Naign (#19), Andi Agus Salam Kahar (#21), Tan Xian Liang (#23), Jeconiah Ali Setiawan (#24), Tan Zong Yuan (#25)
TPJC Roster
Goh Kai Lun (#1), Ito Makito (#2), Nah Qing Yang (#3), Nicholas Shia Shi Chai (#4), Shaik Azad B Adful Jabbar (#5), Roy Wang Jun Jie (#6), R Ramana (#7), Mikhail Maneck Shah (#8),Chua Wei Yang (#9), Russell Frederick David (#10), Jarl Chua Hong’En (#11), Jed Soo (#12), Png Ray (#13), Joshua Cheng (#14), Muhammad Afiq Bin Hajis (#15), Kim Jing Zhe (#16), Fariz B Mohamed Yousuf (#17), Rishi Raghesh (#18), Muhammad Azzamuddin Haziq (#19), Gowrath Nelson S/O Anthony (#20)
More photos next page
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