Ortega Cup 2025
1 September 2025
SJI's U14 boys beat RI 6-5 on penalties after a 2-2 draw, while SJI Old Boys lost 3-5 in the U35 category and SJI Staff won 1-0.
Three Josephian teams participated in the annual Ortega Cup Tournament, an annual competition dating back to the 1970s, pitting SJI against RI.
Our U14 boys triumphed against RI's U14 boys 6-5 on penalties after the match ended 2-2 after regulation time. Raoul Lee-Harsha (LE103) and Wesley Ho (LE101) were the scorers for SJI over 60 minutes and after penalties were needed to decide the winner, Matthew Hoeden (LE101) scored the winning penalty to ensure SJI finished as the U14 winners.
In the U35 category, our SJI Old Boys lost 3-5 to the RI Old Boys in an entertaining, high scoring game. Joshua Varghese (Class of 2019), Chan Luke Isaac (IB Class of 2024) and Christopher Ong (IB Class of 2020) scored the goals for the SJI U35. Our Old Boys fought hard but fell short against RI's Old Boys, who clinched the U35 category.
In the Staff category, our SJI Staff Team won 1-0 against the RI Staff Team courtesy of a pinpoint finish by SJI Old Boy (Class of 2002) and current teacher of SJI Junior, Mr Syah Fidzuan. His solitary goal was enough to ensure the SJI Staff Team clinched the Staff category.
All in all, it was a memorable afternoon and evening for the SJI Football fraternity, rekindling friendship ties with RI and ensuring this annual tradition continues to forge connection and camaraderie between the two traditional football spirited rivals.