Singapore thrash Sri Lanka to secure third spot in Asian Hockey Federation Cup

Story and photos by REDintern Rachel Lim

Delta Sports Complex, Sunday, June 22, 2008 – Singapore beat Sri Lanka 4-0 last Sunday to capture 3rd place in the 2008 Asian Hockey Federation Men’s Cup.

The Singapore team began their cup campaign on June 14 with a 3-0 thrashing of Chinese Taipei. With the home crowd on their side, they were in high spirits when they came up against Uzbekistan in their next match. It was a tough game which ended 0-0. Facing favourites Bangladesh next was yet another tough challenge but they managed to hold the hockey powerhouse 1-1. The team then thrashed Brunei Darussalam 8-0 in the next match to secure their semi-final spot. In the semi-final game against Oman, it was hard-going as there was a huge difference in physical size between the two and Singapore unfortunately lost.

Despite the failure to qualify for the final, the atmosphere for the 3rd/4th placing game was intense with high expectations for securing third place. Singapore started the game well and less than a minute into the game, secured a free shot corner. Both teams played passionately and kept the entire stadium of supporters glued to the action on the pitch.

The Sri Lankans came close to scoring at one point but the Singapore goalkeeper, Zulkarnain (#18), saved beautifully with a dive. Repeated shouts of, "Get the ball!” from the players rang out every now and then as the game wore on. In the 13th minute, Zulkarnain (Singapore, #18) yet again made a crucial save, this time with his legs, to deny the Sri Lankans.

Perhaps suffering from nervousness, many players misplaced their hits, resulting in many "outs". There was even one that flew right from one end to the other by Harjeet Singh (Singapore, #4). But Singapore soon found the target in the 15th minute when they won a penalty. Ajit Singh made no mistake, his shot finding the bottom left corner of the goal despite a valiant dive by the Sri Lankan keeper.

The Singapore team spirit was awesome, with Captain Harjeet Singh (Singapore, #4), Kelvin Lim (#2), Md Farhan (#3) and Saifulnizam (#13) all making notable contributions in defence. In the 31st minute, Singapore struck yet again with Ismail (Singapore, #14) scoring Singapore’s second goal. Singapore almost scored a third just before the end of the first half but the umpire’s whistle denied them. Sri Lanka took a shot corner but it was Mansor Herman (Singapore, #7) who came away with the ball, dashing across the pitch in full flight with only the Sri Lankan keeper to beat. But just as a third possible goal was in the making, the whistle went off for half-time.

In the second half, a well-executed tackle by Tan Yi Ru (Singapore, #12) received loud applause. Singapore then notched her third goal with Ismail (Singapore, #14) scoring his second. With ten minutes to go, both teams still played with intensity with no sign of complacency on the part of Singapore.

With three minutes to go, it was yet again a sharp and well-planned shot corner that gave Singapore another goal. Chen Shun Ting (Singapore, #20) hit an accurate shot to seal the fate of the Sri Lankans and finish a creditable third in the Asian Hockey Federation Cup.

Singapore team list:

Kelvin Lim (#2)
Md Farhan bin Kamsani (#3)
Harjeet Singh (#4, captain)
Ibrahim Hazmi (#5)
Enrico Marican (#6)
Herman Mansor (#7)
Prashan Anbalagan (#10)
Sivakaanthan Ambedkal (#11)
Tan Yiru (#12)
Saifulnizam bin Md Seftu (#13)
Md Ishak Ismail (#14)
Md Nurrizat bin Mohd Taib
Muhd Sabri bin Yuhari
Zulkarnain bin Salim (#18, GK)
Eiman Haikal Supaat (#19)
Chen Shun Ting (#20)

Coach: Mohd Ali