FLOORBALL

National ‘A’ Division Boys’ Floorball Championships 2007
Innova Junior College vs Yishun Junior College
Wednesday, 11 July 2007 at Tampines Sports Hall

Story and pictures by Red Sports volunteer, Lai Jun Wei. Thanks! 

Yishun Junior College (YJC) edged out Innova Junior College (IJC) 6-4 in a National ‘A’ Division Floorball game yesterday at Tampines Sports Hall.


IJC’s Caleb (in red) tries to stop a YJC offense.   © Lai Jun Wei

Tension was high at the match. The action-packed game at Tampines Sports Hall was filled with screams and cheers from supporters as well as the celebratory calls from both teams after a goal. Brandishing their menacing floorball sticks, there was pushing and shoving, not forgetting flying sticks and players as the boys sprinted around the court at full-speed trying to out-manoeuvre their opponents.

Lim Ding Jun of YJC drew first blood in the first few minutes of the game with the opening goal. His teammate Yang Kai Heng then extended YJC’s lead by scoring another goal shortly after. Ifan Adiwena then scored the first IJC goal with a free hit, his precisely aimed ball flying through the YJC block and past the goalkeeper. This was followed by another IJC goal when Amin scored minutes before the end of the 1st period to bring both teams level at 2-2.

IJ’s Wee Yong (in red) trying to get pass Kong Chyi of YJC.   © Lai Jun Wei  

YJC’s Ding Jun started the 2nd period with another goal from almost near the halfway line to regain the lead for YJ and make it 3-2. However, IJC’s Rochester equalised when his captain Caleb Leow fed him a back pass, giving him the chance to pump the ball straight into the YJC goal. IJC’s Caleb then put his team in front for the first time in the game at 4-3 with a goal. Then thank goodness for helmets when a miss-hit from YJC’s Marc Sng had his stick smashing into the helmet of IJC goalie Shawn Tien. Marc was let off with a warning by the referee. Things seemed to be going in IJC’s favour until YJC’s Ong Kong Chyi equalised just before the end of the 2nd period to make it 4-4.

YJC’s Gary Ding clearing the ball.   © Lai Jun Wei 

IJC managed to hold YJC for much of the 3rd period but a lucky break allowed the YJC captain Ben Ow to score a goal to bring his team 5-4 up. The IJC players desperately tried to equalise but their fate was sealed when Ruben Money of YJC fired in another goal in the last minutes of the 3rd period to give YJC an ultimate 6-4 victory.

 Ifan of IJC pumping in the first goal for IJC.   © Lai Jun Wei

Red Sports caught up with IJC captain Caleb Leow after the game to ask him about his feelings. Said the second year student, “Everyone played very hard during the game. I did my best, and I’m sure everyone else did too. Yishun (JC) is a much more experienced team than us and they deserved to win.” Asked further about his hopes for the next few games, Caleb added, “We win some, we lose some. What’s most important is that we tried our best.” Innova is considered the underdogs in the division and they will face National Junior College this Friday. In an earlier game, IJC drew with powerhouse Millenia Institute 4-4. What’s interesting is that the IJC team does not have an official coach, and most of their training is conducted on an indoor futsal court, far smaller than the game court. This championship is a six-match series and the team with the best-of-six record wins. We wish the IJC and YJC boys good luck in their upcoming matches!      

Muhammad Faizal (IJ #31) preparing for an attack.   © Lai Jun Wei


Ifan of IJC (in red) squaring it off with a YJ opponent.   © Lai Jun Wei


A YJC defender tries to clear the ball away from the goal.   © Lai Jun Wei


Ang Kok Liang of IJC (in red) screens the YJC goalie while David Goh of  YJC player waits for the shot. © Lai Jun Wei


IJC’s Syahir (in red) contests the ball with a YJC player.   © Lai Jun Wei


Kok Liang of IJC (in red) trying to beat his YJC opponent to the ball.   © Lai Jun Wei