Thursday, May 15, 2008

SAJC vs MJC

Week 5.
24th day in Ngee Ann Poly.

Just got back my first test marks in NP.
Its so pleasant to for once pass a Maths test after
years of failure in sec school.

Engineering Mathematics.
22/28.
Standing ovation please.

Aight, enuff of dat.
Its a decent enuff score for me to be proud.
But clearly this is just the beginning
of more complicated things to come.

I rushed to Jalan Besar Stadium
straight after school today.
Took me 1 hour to get there so i missed the first half
of a very exciting A division soccer match between

SAJC and MJC.

MJC have had great sucess in recent years.
They ended runners up last season,
while SAJC have had tough luck in semi finals.
They crashed out of it last season.

And they did so again this year
MJC of course, secured another appearance
in the finals.

Atmosphere was great.
Half the stadium's grand stand side was filled
with JC students cheering for their teams.

Lots of hot school girls as soon as i stepped past the gates.
Notice i say school girls.

But more importantly i was treated to some entertaining
football for more than 45 mins.

When i arrived, SAJC was leading 1 - 0.
They further increased their lead with a well worked
team goal, making the score 2 - 0.
At this point, a finals appearance seemed certain.

SAJC dropped to a defensive stature.
Or rather, MJC were being very persistent in
pressing on their opponents.
They fought hard for possession,
and kept on attacking,
testing the SAJC goalie on more occasions than once.
They were of course backed by a very energetic crowd.

Their reward finally came by when they were awarded
a free kick from the left flank.
A well sent ball into the box,
saw the ball headed low into the bottom right corner
of the goalpost, with the keeper only
getting a slight touch on the ball.

They kept on attacking
and there was nothing much SAJC could do.
However, their triumph today was also
extremely controversial.

In probably the last 5 mins of the second half,
MJC was awarded a penalty.
In my point of view, there were no fouls.
There seemed to be no handball,

no pulling and no pushing.
Yet, the ref pointed to the spot.
The MJC penalty taker slotted home an inch perfect
penalty kick down to the bottom right corner.
The goalie once again only had a slight touch.

MJC morale was at an all time high.
This was to be a comeback of their dreams.
All 90 mins were played,
and after the score was still leveled after extra time,
it was all down to penalty shootouts.

SAJC denied
MJC denied

SAJC scores
MJC scores

SAJC denied
MJC denied

SAJC hits the post
MJC scores

the next penalty was crucial.
SAJC had to score it no matter wad.

Unfortunately, the MJC keeper saved the penalty.

I didnt wait long after that cuz the SAJC ppl
i were with got pissed and wanted to leave straightaway.
But i stayed long enough to notice the inevitable
tears of joy and despair shed by players
on the field of green.

On the bus ride home, i learnt something very important.
As a player you must be prepared for anything
and everything.
Especially penalties.
In a match where there is no room for errors,
your weakness might prove to be your team's downfall.
Therefore, train until you cant possibly disappoint,
though one must always bear in mind
that mistakes do happen.

Yea so dat was my Thursday

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