Story by Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports. Photos by Lee Jian Wei and Clara Yuan/Red Sports
Michael Paul Hendrick (#7) of Meridian Junior College scored the tiebreaker during extra time to seal Meridian Junior College’s 3–2 victory over Nanyang Junior College. (Photo 1 © Lee Jian Wei/Red Sports)
Singapore University of Technology and Design, Tuesday, May 26, 2015 — Defending champions Meridian Junior College (MJC) survived a second-half comeback from first-time finalists Nanyang Junior College (NYJC) to win 3–2 in extra time. MJC retained their crown and earned their seventh National A Division Football Championship title.
NYJC could have won the game in regulation time but Gareth Lee (#7) saw his injury-time penalty saved by MJC goalkeeper Dagan Lim (#25) , much to the relief of Khairul Ilyas (MJC #2) who gave it away after a handball.
That gave Michael Paul Hendrick (#7) the chance to be the hero for MJC, as he scored the tiebreaking free kick in extra time to secure their victory.
“We did practise our free kicks, but I never expected to score one during the final, so I’m still in shock now and words cannot describe how happy I am,” said Hendrick (#7), who credits the win to MJC coach, Fabio De Silva, and teammate Dagan Lim (#25).
He added, “I’ve known him (coach Fabio) since I was five and all I am today is because of him. And Dagan, he’s fantastic. He’s the man. He saved us. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to take the free kick.”
Hendrick (#7) was also awarded man of the match honours, while teammate Faizal Raffi (#10) was the top scorer of the tournament with 24 goals.
“We were blessed that Dagan saved the penalty and gave us the opportunity to head into extra time for the game winner by Michael,” said MJC coach Fabio Da Silva.
“The team did well in the first half, and put us up two goals, but in the second half, we made some mistakes and credits to Nanyang for scoring the two goals.”
The native Brazilian added, “At the end of the day, I just want to congratulate the boys for a very good season, and also to the Nanyang boys for playing such a good final game.”
Both teams had previously met in the second round, where MJC emerged 1–0 victors. This is NYJC’s first appearance in the final since the school’s inception in 1978.
Both teams were well-balanced and went back-and-forth before a defensive blunder by NYJC allowed Faizal Raffi (#10) to drive in for the goal. His attempt was deflected by NYJC custodian Ilyasa Ismail (#13), but Muhammad Imran (#17) followed up on the rebound gave MJC the opener for the lead in the 13th minute.
MJC rode on their momentum and increased the offensive pressure on NYJC, but goalie Ilyasa Ismail (#13) stood his ground, making six straight saves in the frame. MJC goalie Dagan Lim (#25) had an easier time, as NYJC only managed to enter their penalty box four times in the half.
Assisted by Royston Tan (#9), MJC’s efforts paid off in the 34th minute when Faizal Raffi (#10) set up Justin Hui (#4) who fired home their second goal from the top of the penalty box.
On the ensuing possession, Tan (#9) almost gave MJC their third off a contested lob over NYJC custodian Ilyasa Ismail (#13), but Gareth Lee (#1) managed to clear the ball off the line with a header.
NYJC regrouped after the break and just three minutes into the half, Chiang Ken Ji (#17) capitalized on a defensive lapse to give NYJC their first goal through a grounder from the right flank.
NYJC continued to threaten the MJC defence. Christian Hugh Rodrigues (#6) almost scored the equalizer, but his attempt went off the crossbar.
Just seven minutes later, NYJC’s prayers were answered as a fumble by MJC custodian Dagan Lim (#25) allowed Nguyen Hoang Dong (#7) to bundle in the equalizer from point-blank.
Royston Tan (MJC #9) and Nguyen Hoang Dong (NYJC #7), both had several chances to break the deadlock, but neither were able to capitalize.
Then came the penalty in the dying minutes of the game. Gareth Lee (NYJC #1) stepped up to take the penalty after a handball by MJC’s Khairul Ilyas (#2) but MJC goalie Dagan Lim (#25) guessed right and dived to his right to make the save and send the game into extra time.
NYJC were still full of running and passing but found no final thrust in the MJC penalty box.
Late in the second half of extra time, MJC won a free kick after a foul on Royston Tan (#9) just outside NYJC’s penalty box. Michael Paul Hendrick (#7) was the hero for MJC, as his direct free kick with the outside of his right foot thundered past NYJC custodian Ilyasa Ismail (#13) into the left corner of the net, sealing the victory for the defending champions.
“We did well in the first half and that led us to two fantastic goals, but we got a little bit complacent in the second half and that cost us the two goals,” said MJC custodian Dagan Lim (#25).
“Eventually, we managed to pull through in extra time, and thanks to the magical free kick from Michael, we managed to defend the title.”
The MJC captain added, “Nanyang were wonderful opponents and displayed a final-worthy performance, so kudos to them.”
Despite the loss, NYJC teacher-in-charge Geoffrey Swee was proud of his charges.
“There is no disappointment at all because the boys have played a fantastic game today and they have played well through the whole season as well,” said Swee.
“They have made the school and their schoolmates proud and excited, not only for them, but for sports in general, because there are many firsts for us this year.”
“I told the boys that they are definitely not the underdogs, because they are good enough to be here. Others can call them underdogs, but I just want them to believe in themselves, and today, they have proven that they are worthy finalists.”
He added, “Credits to MJC as well, for playing such a great and exciting game together with the boys (NYJC).”
Score by Half
MJC vs NYJC
1st half: 2–0
2nd half: 0–2
Extra time: 1–0 (3–2)
Scorers
MJC
Muhammad B Imran (#17) – 1 goal (13th min)
Justin Hui Yong Kang (#4) – 1 goal (34th min)
Michael Paul Hendrick (#7) – 1 goal (97th min)
NYJC
Chiang Ken Ji (#17) – 1 goal (43rd min)
Nguyen Hoang Dong (#7) – 1 goal (50th min)
MJC Roster
Ragene Ng (#1), Khairul Ilyas B Ishak (#2), Haziq Syamil B Ramli (#3), Justin Hui Yong Kang (#4), Ang Zhi Xian, Joel (#5), Syahidul Matin B Mohd Puad (#6), Michael Paul Hendrick (#7), Kavin Manish Mavani (#8), Royston Tan Jia Jie (#9), Mohamed Faizal B Mohamed Raffi (#10), Jazzmen Teo Jie Wen (#11), Muhammad Hud B Ayub (#12), Nathaniel Lim Ming En (#13), Soon Wei Jun (#15), Muhammad Bin Imran (#17), Loke Jian Hao, Calvin (#18), Chen He Hsi (#20), Akmal B Fazili (#21), Bhavin A Assandas (#22), Lim Sze Howe, Dagan (#25)
NYJC Roster
Gareth Keigan Lee Zong De (#1), Ferdinand Lim Jun Long (#2), Darryl Ong Wei Xiang (#3), Tang Guan Yuan (#4), Muhammad Danish B Sallehuddin (#5), Christian Hugh Rodrigues (#6), Nguyen Hoang Dong (#7), Kiefer Tay Si Yi (#8), Thong Giggs (#9), Lim Ngee Liang Jonathan (#10), Muhammad Hakim Bin Idris (#11), Loh Wei Zhi (#12), Mohammad Ilyasa Bin Ismail (#13), Aavan Lee Kuan Ing (#14), Muhammad Danish B Arifin (#15), Lee Jun Jie (#16), Chiang Ken Ji (#17), Raime Khuzamie Bin Ibrahim (#18), Jalvin Nai Guang Jun (#19), Larry Lee Ken Ann (#20)
National A Division Boys Football Championship – fixtures and results
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