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Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Raffles Institution hockey boys reclaim A Div title amid penalty controversy
SINGAPORE – With the score finely poised at 2-2, both Raffles Institution (RI) and defending champions Victoria Junior College (VJC) knew only too well that there was little margin for error. The National School Games A Division boys' hockey title hung in the balance and any mistake in the May 22 final at Sengkang Hockey Stadium , no matter how small, would be punished. With 10 minutes remaining in the final quarter, the balance was tilted in favour of RI, who were awarded a penalty after a foul inside the shooting circle. Facing off against goalkeeper Jovan Teo in the VJC net, RI's Jaydon Poh stepped up and stroked the ball home to make it 3-2. It proved to be the winning goal, as RI reclaimed the title they lost to the same opponents in 2024. Speaking after the game, Jaydon said penalties were something he had been working on tirelessly. 'Usually during breaks (in training), I would just put the ball at the penalty spot and practise a few strokes against the 'keeper. I think such training paid off. (Today) I scored a crucial goal,' said the 17-year-old. RI's Jaydon Poh (right, in black) scored a crucial penalty that turned out to be the winning goal. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR He added: 'In the second half, VJC was on the ball more. They had more chances. So to score that goal really calmed the pressure down.' The penalty was given against the run of play, much to the frustration of those in the VJC dugout, who thought the decision was a controversial one. 'Our player got the ball first, very clearly,' said VJC coach Nordin Manaff . 'Then his momentum went into the defender and they clashed, but we have to respect the umpire's decision.' Despite the contentious circumstances, he was glad to be a part of a highly entertaining game after missing last year's final as he was overseas with the national women's indoor hockey team. 'I have not seen this kind of intensity in 10 years. Both teams played very well. I thought our players played better in the second half, just that we couldn't get the goal,' said the 58-year-old. Both RI and VJC played out an entertaining final. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR RI opened the scoring just four minutes into the game when Noor Adli Raimi stretched to stroke the ball into the goal and give his team an early lead. 'I thought it was a far effort, back stick. But then I suddenly heard everyone scream and that's when I realised I scored, and I was over the moon after that,' said Adli, 18. RI were pegged back when VJC's Pradeeban Krishnamoorthi latched onto a deflected through ball and smashed the ball beyond goalkeeper Sarthak Basak for the equaliser. But RI regained their lead before halftime, with Ajay Shanmugam lashing the ball into the net following a penalty corner in the 22nd minute. VJC restored parity with a goal from a penalty corner of their own. Their relentless second-half pressure was rewarded as Maheswar Chandramohan made it 2-2 before Jaydon's penalty nudged RI into the lead for the third and final time. 'I'm very proud of the team. Everyone gave their all. We fought for the past two years together, some of us for the past six, really,' said RI vice-captain Raynard Lim , 18. 'Most of the time they (VJC) end up being our toughest opponents and we face our toughest difficulties against (them). We always somehow inevitably meet, so winning this one really made us proud,' he added, acknowledging the fierce rivalry between the two schools in this competition. VJC captain Joven Woo n shared the same sentiments. 'It's always back and forth. They win one year, we win one year,' said the 18-year-old. VJC's Joven Woon (far left) fighting for the ball against RI's Ethan Wong. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR 'They were hungry to win following their defeat last year, and I think they were the better team today. (But) I'm proud of my team for pushing so hard to try and get a result that we wanted.' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Strikes from distance the key to 11th straight A Div girls' football title for VJC
SINGAPORE – Scoring a whopping 40 goals and conceding none across six preliminary-round matches, Victoria Junior College (VJC) had only one objective heading into the National School Games A Division girls' football final. Win, and make it 11 titles in a row . And they did exactly that, defeating their opponents Hwa Chong Institution 4-0 at the Jalan Besar Stadium on May 21. The commanding scoreline did not paint the full picture, however. While VJC unsurprisingly dominated possession early on, they found it difficult to create any clear-cut chances, such was the dogged nature of Hwa Chong's strategy, which was to 'soak up pressure and hit them on the counter-attack', according to coach and teacher-in-charge Patrick David. But it was swiftly undone in the 12th minute. After finding herself in space on the edge of the penalty area, VJC midfielder Ruby Tjipto curled the ball into the top corner of the Hwa Chong net to open the scoring. 'If the thing (defence) holds, then you can frustrate. But (the first goal) forced them to come out of their shape,' said David, 59. 'That's what happens sometimes. So I went for a more aggressive (approach), but we still could not break through.' Going into the break, both teams knew a lot more was required in the remaining 40 minutes, and it was VJC who stepped up, showing just why they are serial winners in this competition. Following some scrappy defending after a VJC corner, Thanya Kathiravan popped up outside the box to stroke the ball past Caryl Chong for their second goal just five minutes after the restart . Ecstatic, the 17-year-old ran in the direction of the VJC supporters. 'Like one of my teammates said, I'm not just playing for myself. I'm playing for my teammates, for everyone who's behind me and supporting me. So I think my goal was more for them than it was for me,' said Thanya after notching her eighth goal of the campaign. VJC's Thanya Kathiravan (right) tussling with HCI's Amy Tan (left) for the ball. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY When asked how she managed to get the shot off in a crowded area, she said: 'Coach always says, 'If you see an opportunity, just go for it'. I saw the space there, so that's what I did.' The third goal came shortly afterwards in the 53rd minute . A Hwa Chong clearance saw the ball roll into the path of VJC's Tia Foong , who let fly first time, arrowing her shot into the bottom corner. Tia, 17, who is also the team's vice-captain, was glad her goal marked an improved second-half performance, saying: 'It feels so exhilarating to be able to put my teammates' efforts into the goal. 'I think after the team talk, it gave us more motivation to continue fighting on. I wanted to give my everything for my final game and put my team firmly in the lead.' With seconds left, they made it 4-0 as VJC captain Charity Satchy dribbled half the length of the pitch before sending a cross for substitute Ayra Azman Ta n to tap into the net moments before the final whistle. VJC captain Charity Satchy (left) crossing the ball past HCI's Lee En Xian (left). ST PHOTO: GIN TAY 'When the last goal went in, we were all in the centre (of the pitch) already. So when the whistle blew, we just all fell on each other. A lot of them were quite emotional and sentimental also because it's their last game,' said Charity, 18. 'I never expected that I'll be able to lead this team. It feels like a fever dream. I'm so proud of them because they work really hard, like (training) four times a week. 'It's not easy, honestly, but I think everyone was very driven and played their best today.' VJC players celebrating after the final whistle was blown. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Despite the result, Hwa Chong captain Clarice Lim had no hard feelings. 'I think we came here for one goal, which was to enjoy and celebrate our successes and victories from the past year. I think this team of 23 did their best and we all fought till the very last minute,' she said. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
