Written by: Izzat Rashad B Rosazizi Edited by: Leung Lok Heng & Choa Zhao Xiang Photos by: EusoffWorks
The NUS science field was brimming with activity on Sunday for the annual IHG football girls’ carnival. Despite earning a well-rested break from the trials and tribulations of preparing for our extremely successful dance production, our footballing queens had little time to let their hair down. They were instead well-rested and focused on the goal at hand, knowing that their fate for this IHG campaign would be determined by the end of the day. After all, they had already put in the hard yards over the December break, and confidence was high as they looked to improve on their fourth place finish from last year.
Game 1: 1-1 v KE
Our Eusoffian girls commenced their 2020 IHG football campaign with a game against KEVII Hall. The first half began rather slowly for both teams, although Eusoff seemed to be the more dominant team in possession. Captain Rena and multi-sport talent Stacia came close to opening our goal-scoring account, but unfortunately the KE goalkeeper read through both shots like a children’s book and saved them well. First half concluded with the mundane scoreline of 0-0.
The second half was undoubtedly the more exciting of the two halves, as both teams threw caution to the wind in search of that opening goal. Unfortunately first dibs went to KE, as the attacker made the most of some suspect and chaotic Eusoff lapse in defending to tap it in past our goalkeeper. Despite suffering this setback, our girls never backed down and continued to ask questions of the KE defenders; which bore fruit almost immediately. Centre-forward Shiyun, a constant thorn in the KE side, scored a sweet right-footed volley to draw Eusoff level in the dying minutes of the game.
Shi Yun (Shy) had one hell of a game as she equalized with a screamer.
Bolstered by this goal and with momentum firmly on their side, Eusoff continued to hustle the KE defence, looking for that winning goal. Unfortunately, our girls ran out of time as the referee blew for full-time.
Game 2: 3-0 v RH
Despite starting the day with a drab draw, our girls had little time to ponder over what could have been as they were scheduled to face Raffles Hall soon after. Our girls did not take long to find the back of the net, with captain fantastic Rena Ang scoring past the stunned RH keeper to make it 1-0. This lead was doubled almost immediately; Jamin’s attempted cross was so good that the ball decided to be cheeky and fly past the unsighted RH goalie into the back of the net.
At no point in the game did our girls look like they weren’t in control; Rena’s pinpoint passing in midfield; Audrey’s scintillating runs down the flank and even Pearl’s sagacious work in defense all contributed to RH looking down and out before the final whistle. Eusoff’s tireless pressing game was rewarded in the latter period of the second half. IVP-accredited Pearl proved she was a precious gemstone both in defense and attack, as she sent in a menacing cross that popped out of the RH keeper’s gloves. Super striker Li Ann could not believe her eyes as she tapped in one of the more easier goals of her career. Full time, with the yellow girls running out convincing 3-0 winners.
Li Ann pounced onto a gift from RH, a chance she could not pass up on.
Game 3: 1-1 v TH
It was crunch time after lunch time as Eusoff looked to continue their winning ways against a highly-skilled TH team. A treat was in store for the onlooking fans from the get-go, as a crazy three-minute period saw our girls conceding first from a sublime TH strike. Enter captain Rena-ldinho, who struck a free kick for the ages to draw Eusoff level almost immediately after, to the wild cheers of our endearing fans. Inspirational leadership from our SMC queen!
The remainder of the game could be characterized as blockbuster end-to-end stuff, as both teams notched it up a gear; seeking that elusive winning goal that would indubitably increase their chances of clinching the overall title. Tired faces were aplenty as both teams ran from coast to coast, pressing and pushing each other to the limit.
However, it seemed that as the game drew closer to its conclusion, Eusoff seemed to have the upper hand over our noisy neighbours, who had to resort to aimless clearances and intentional ball-handling in an attempt to thwart our increasing momentum. The referee however had other ideas, as he blew for the end of the match with the score tied at 1-1. A fair result, given the high quality of football played by both teams.
The rivalry between TH and EH was evident in this intense game. Both sides played a wonderful game of football; a treat for the supporters.
Game 4: 3-1 v KR
The fourth game of the day saw our girls take on the wildcard team of KR. After racking up two draws, there were doubts circling around as to whether our football girls still had it in them to win their remaining games. These doubts were fortunately put to rest by jersey number 1 Li Ann, who slotted the ball home after a marauding run past KR’s defenders. Our 1-0 lead became 2-0 not long after, as confusion reigned over the KR defenders who stopped in their tracks under the assumption that the ball had run out of play. When the referee said otherwise, a careless clearance allowed Georgia to take full advantage, curling a beautiful shot past the chagrined KR goalie.
The girls celebrate Georgia’s goal. With the score now doubled, they had to concentrate to protect it.
For a moment, it looked like the KR comeback was on, as a clean break by KR’s striker was successfully converted against our goalie, DP superstar mum Avina. With the score now at 2-1 and KR’s motivation through the roof, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that KR would eventually equalise and condemn Eusoff to another draw.
This situation was fortunately averted, with Eusoff electing to continue pushing forward towards goal instead of merely sitting back to prevent KR from equalising. This relentless style of play eventually reaped dividends; a weighted cross fumbled by the KR keeper allowed Stacia to tap in the goal from close range. The full-time whistle was blown, with Eusoff emerging 3-1 victors against KR. All eyes were now on the crucial final game against Sheares.
Game 5: 1-1 v SH
With first place now slightly out of reach, the focus was now on attaining first-runners up; a marked improvement over last year’s showing. The math was simple; Sheares could afford a draw, while anything less than a win for Eusoff would simply not suffice if they were to desire the 2nd placed finish. Needless to say, Eusoff translated this must-win attitude into their gameplay from start to finish.
Expectedly, the first move in this game of footballing chess came from Sheares; a dead-ball long shot from their talismanic captain right on kick-off. While she successfully scored via her cheat code method on multiple occasions against other halls, it was nothing that our goalkeeper Joey hadn’t seen before, as she asserted her dominance over both long shots. After a period of smart gameplay by our girls, Eusoff’s resident speedster Audrey ran a litmus test on the Shearite defences; a stinging shot which almost caught the Sheares goalie by surprise. A foreshadowing of things to come? Undoubtedly. Eusoff drew first blood deep into the first half via a Rena (who else?) deflected long range shot, aided generously by a Sheares head which caused the ball to dip just beyond the opposing keeper’s reach. 1-0 to Eusoff.
Rena was the difference maker in all the matches. A masterclass from her.
With Eusoff firmly in the driver’s seat at the conclusion of the first half, more of the same was expected in the second. However, Sheares (who were now chasing the draw) managed to turn it up a notch in bombarding the Eusoffian defence. Their efforts were duly rewarded early in the second half, with Sheares’ captain volleying a loose ball past an outstretched Joey. 1-1.
The atmosphere of the game changed immediately after that goal. Sheares were content with seeing out the game as-is, for a draw would guarantee them of second placing. Eusoff on the other hand, had to win the game and it was evident in the sense of urgency and exasperation demonstrated by our girls. Unfortunately it was too little too late, as Sheares successfully held on to the 1-1 draw which would place them above Eusoff in the day’s rankings.
Eusoff girls’ football concluded their season in third place, a step above last year’s showing of fourth. Despite not clinching the title of overall champions, many positives can still be taken from the day’s proceedings. Aside from remaining undefeated throughout the competition, much credit must be given to the freshmen players taking part in their inaugural IHG, who managed to hold their own alongside and against more experienced seniors in the competition; boding well for the future of Eusoff Football.
Good job girls, we go again next year.
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