Soccer A Division 2005 (part 2)

Quarter finals: Our group consisted of NJC, SAJC and TPJC. All matches were played at SA.

First match: RJC 3-1 NJC
First match of the second round, so clearly we were excited. But we felt confident of our own ability. It was a difficult match because of the weather interruptions. A good 15 min spell in the first half saw us score all our 3 goals. First was a WeiFan clearance that went straight into NJ's penalty box. Chang Wen was first to react and he scored a wonderful placement to the far corner for his first goal. Then, a Geoffrey through pass down the middle was picked up by Chang Wen who flicked it to Pei Qian. He scored a simple nice goal into the empty net. Then the third was almost a carbon copy of the second. Another Geoffrey ball to the left was picked up by Damian who slid in time to guide the ball into the gaping net. 3-0, a comfortable position none of us imagined we could reach. Then suddenly NJ woke up and a slip up at our right flank saw a sharp cross that eluded everyone but the lurking striker at the far post who shot straight into the top corner. 3-1 and we won our first match in our group (a feat which we never achieved before). SA beat TPJC 3-0 in the other match. I never got to play this match.

Second match: RJC 1-2 SAJC
SA came into the game with a huge reputation for having been a finalist the year before and never conceding a goal in this yr's tournament. This was the first match I start (really unexpected). We found it hard to string passes together because our midfield had to sit deep as their attack was very penetrative. They scored a goal through a corner, when Kaixiang should have collected the ball instead of punching it. Peiqian couldn't mark the No.21 outside the box, who powered a header past the helpless Kaixiang. After halftime, we came back really strong. It was then that we scored. Chang Wen beat a few defenders down the left and passed to Peiqian who turned and shot low and hard. It was 1-1 and game on. However, we just had to give away a free kick in front of our box. No.11 was a real clinical finisher, he planted the ball exquisitely beyond Kaixiang. 2-1 and there was not much time left. NJ beat TPJC (can't remember the score) and so, we were third in the group.

Third match: RJC 6-2 TPJC
We knew destiny was in our hands, as long as we beat TP, we would qualify. We just pinpointed Alfie, TP's No.10, who's a national striker, and marked him as much as possible out of the game. This was I think one of our best matches together. Within 2 minutes, an Adzfar 'corner throw' found PeiQian, who turned and shot into the top corner. 1-0. Then we failed to clear a corner properly and No.10 scored. 1-1. But we were relaxed. Chang Wen scored and after that Damian also scored. 3-1. Peiqian's knee gave way and I came on for him. Within a few minutes, Geoffrey's through ball found Chang Wen who squared it for me. My first time shot was scuffed at the keeper's legs, but I shoulder charged him enough to get the ball back and fired home. 4-1.
Second half was when it became more open because TP just threw in the towel. A superb interplay of passing released Damian down the left and he crossed for Chang Wen to whack the ball home for his third goal of the season. It was not done yet. Another Adzfar 'corner throw' found myself decoying for Chang wen to flick to Geoffrey who volleyed home spectacurly. No.10 Alfie scored a wonderous consolation for TP. But we didn't really care, because for the first time we amassed 6 points in a group, and scored more goals than we could imagine. Then, in an ironic twist, NJC beat SAJC 3-1 to qualify at the expense of SA. And we qualified as group winners.

The semi finals line up are:
VJC vs NJC
RJC vs MJC