Republic Polytechnic, Friday, 9 January 2009 - Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) pulled off a 1-0 upset win over hosts Republic Polytechnic (RP) in the S R Nathan Challenge Trophy Group B match.
The only goal of the game came in the 78th minute through SIM forward Ram Shanker (jersey number 8) to ensure his side begin their 2009 campaign on a winning note.
It was the hosts who started the match the brighter of the teams as they took the game to their opponents with their quick attacking play.
Central of RP’s offensive plans were attacking midfielder and skipper Zuladly Zulkeplie and forward Gabriel Quak Jun Yi.
They combined on a crisp one-two in the 16th minute before Zuladly launched a deflected shot that forced SIM goalkeeper Neo Zhi Han into an acrobatic save.
Three minutes later the combination was repeated with Quak sending Zuladly clear, only for the latter to shoot wide with only Neo to beat.
Then in the 29th minute, the RP captain returned the favour when he put Quak through on a counter-attack only for SIM centre-back Teo Jia Han to deny a clear scoring opportunity with a last-ditch block.
For all the chances their dominance produced, RP found the SIM defence stubborn to break down and lacked the final touch to finish off their moves.
As the minutes ticked away, the hosts grew more frustrated at their inability to score and poured more men forward in search for the elusive goal.
Ram, who was incidentally the first batch of RP graduates, was giving the hosts problems with his pace and ball control.
He served notice of his ability to single-handedly transform the game upfront on his own in 31 minutes when he seized the ball following miscommunication between the RP defence and goalkeeper, only for him to scuff the attempt.
The RP backline were given another scare by him 21 minutes after the break when he latched on a long pass from SIM defender Melvin Koh but shot over.
He forced the home goalkeeper Sharil Satar into a fine save on 74 minutes when his free kick from deep on the right was swerving towards goal.
RP failed to heed the warnings and paid the price four minutes after that attempt. Chasing another long ball from the SIM half, Ram reacted quicker than the RP defenders to it, evaded challenges from Suhari Muslim Mustaffa and Sharil before slotting the ball into an empty net.
Stunned by the goal, RP tried to pressure SIM into cracking at the closing stages of the game, but the visitors withstood the gauntlet and held on for their first points of the season.
Ram downplayed his match-winning goal and paid tribute to his teammates for their determined performance.
“I was very happy as the defence did a very good job and the whole team played a part in the win."
“We were cautious during the match as RP had numerous opportunities to score.”
He believed the victory would boost his team’s chances against the other institutions in the group.
“(SIM coach) Marko Kraljevic told us that football is for very clever people and I believed we demonstrated that smartness and discipline to win the game tonight."
“I think we will do well in the tournament as long as we keep up our level of defence and attack, play disciplined football and show the same fire and aggression to win as we did tonight.”