Meridian pip VJC to reach A Division semis
Coach da Silva credits his players for their tactical discipline
MERIDIAN JC 1
(Nathanael Chin 30)
VICTORIA JC 0
No one was surprised that the match between Meridian Junior College (MJC) and Victoria Junior College (VJC) yesterday at Millennia Institute was a tense affair, with a place in the semi-finals of the National Schools' A Division championship at stake.
In the end, MJC edged out their long-time rivals 1-0 and booked a semi-final spot against Raffles Institution (RI).
Former S.League player and current MJC head coach Fabio da Silva was effusive in his praise for both teams and admitted that it was a "50-50" game that could have easily swung in favour of VJC.
The Brazilian said: "VJC have always been very tough opponents for us. They have very good players, who are directed well by their coach, they work very hard and are a highly motivated team.
"It was a very open game and they created some chances as well.
"I give them credit for the way they played and they made it very difficult for us today."
The match was played at a high intensity from start to finish with both sets of players giving it their all for the 90 minutes.
Da Silva credited his boys for sticking to the game-plan.
"We made use of our strength which is playing long balls to our forwards who run in between the channels of the defence.
"This is something that we have been working on and it worked today, as we managed to score a goal from this tactic," he said.
CHANCES
VJC could have opened the scoring in the 25th minute after Michael Sheng-En Collins did well to cut inside from the right flank onto his left foot, but his resulting effort went over the crossbar.
In the 30th minute, MJC's Justin Hui floated in an inch-perfect cross from the left flank for striker Nathanael Chin to head past VJC goalkeeper Jonas Andersen.
VJC could have restored parity just before half-time after a routine clearance was botched by the MJC defence, but striker Karuppiah Arasu was prevetend from pulling the trigger by some last-ditch defending.
The second-half picked up from where the first half had left off with both teams pushing forward.
MJC were able to craft out more clear-cut scoring opportunities, with Royston Tan prominent.
He went on a mazy dribble in the 50th minute, skipping past several challenges, but was unable to get his shot off in time.
Royston came close again in the 65th minute, but his shot from distance was saved comfortably by the goalkeeper.
Despite the loss, VJC also made it to the last four after the game between Millennia Institute and St.Andrew's Junior College ended 1-1.
"It was clear that there was no touch (from the ACJC defender). I just lost balance because he slid in and I was a bit put off. So it was an easy decision for me."
- Raffles Institution’s Jonathan Chua on turning down a penalty that was awarded to his team
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