Meridian Junior College beat Saint Andrew’s Junior
College 2-0 to win their third consecutive National A Division Boys Football
title. (Photo: SSC)
Joy; heartbreak; disappointment, and finally a sense
of relieve.
It was an emotional rollercoaster of an evening at
the Jalan Besar Stadium, both for the supporters and the players, in the
National A Division Football (Boys) Grand Finals.
It was much more than another football match. More
than just another victory to fight for, the school’s pride and history were at
stake.
With the expectation of the entire school, who
filled up the stadium’s grandstand to its’ rafters, and the proud history, the
players of defending champion Meridian Junior College (MJC) have everything to
play for.
“We are all here as we are very supportive of the
school. All of us are expecting the boys to bring back the trophy again for the
third year running,” said a second year MJC student.
It was MJC eighth appearance in the final, having
won the last two in a row.
The weight of expectation could clearly be seen in
the players as they were held to a goalless draw at the end of the first half
by Saint Andrew’s Junior College (SAJC).
The second half proved different with the appearance
of substitute Mohamed Amsyar B Omar Abdullah, who gave MJC more options at the
front.
With the deafening support of the crowd, MJC surged
forward with wave after wave of attack, looking for that opening goal.
Saint Andrew’s Junior College simply could not
contain Meridian Junior College Mohamed Amsyar, who was awarded the
Man-of-the-Match. (Photo: SSC)
They were rewarded shortly afterwards when Mohamed
Amsyar, despite playing through injury, made contact with a long throw,
directing the ball past a helpless SAJC keeper.
Amsyar scored his second minutes later when he was
put through on goal. He held his nerves and calmly side footed the ball past
the keeper, sending MJC supporters into euphoria.
The excitement soon died down as MJC supporters
anxiously count down the minutes to the final whistle.
The nervy buzz around the stadium soon turned into
loud raptures of screams when the final whistle was blown, cementing this MJC
team into the school’s history, as they lift their third straight title,
comprehensively beating SAJC 2-0.
SAJC teacher-in-charge Roland Lee was proud of his boys’
effort despite the defeat. “We fought well and was resilient till the end.
Meridian deserved to win, but I am really proud of the boys, there’s nothing to
be ashamed of.”
MJC vice-principal Mr Tan Kuo Cheang said: “I’m
beyond words. I feel happy winning it three times in a row. MJC football is a
niche sport, and is proving to be our best sport.”
Anglo-Chinese Junior College was undone by the sheer
determination of Victoria Junior College, who came back from 2-1 down to win
3-2 after extra time. (Photo: SSC)
The earlier matchup in the grand finals saw Victoria
Junior College (VJC) edge-out Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) 3-2(after
extra time) in an exciting 3rd/4th placing encounter.
ACJC was seemingly heading to a victory before an
injury-time equalizer by VJC forced the match into extra time. VJC needed a
slice of fortune as ACJC keeper fumbled a free kick into the bottom corner of
his goal, handing the victory to VJC.
Muhammad Aqil Bin Mat Noor, an ACJC crowd favourite,
reflected on the defeat after the match.
He said, “In terms of the result, it was
disappointing, but in terms of performance, I don’t think so. We displayed
perseverance despite being down one goal for most of the match.”
However, don’t count Aqil and his school out, for
ACJS and the other schools will be back stronger next year, to try and dislodge
MJC from the top.
For photos of both matches in the grand finals,
visit our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssc-sportsphotography/sets/72157629864656370/