Singapore go down to New Zealand to finish pointless in men’s Hockey Junior World Cup

By Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by Marvin Lowe.

Sengkang Sports and Recreation Centre, Thursday, June 11, 2009 - Co-hosts Singapore finished last in Pool D after a 3-1 defeat by New Zealand in the men’s Hockey Junior World Cup.

Singapore ended the group stage pointless and will now go on to play in a loser’s pool.

Singapore started their campaign earlier in the week with a 0-8 thrashing by the Netherlands on Sunday. The co-host only had two shots on targets while their opponents had a host of goals and chances.

It took the Dutch side just 10 minutes for the floodgates to be opened with Robbert Kemperman opening the scoring. From there, there was no stopping Netherlands as Mink van der Weerden claimed the next two goals (17th and 20th min) through penalty corners while Bob de Voogd bagged a hat-trick.

Things didn't get better for Singapore in their following match as they were dealt a crushing 0-10 blow by 2001 champions India.

Captain Diwakar led the scoring with four goals to his name while his teammate Danish Mujtabav added a hat-tick of goals. Dharamvir Singh, Mandeep Antil and Vivek (India, #5) contributed one each to seal the win for India.

Singapore had only one significant attack in the entire game when they earned a penalty corner but their attempted shot at goal was deflected over the bar.

Wednesday's match against Poland was Singapore's best chance of getting their first points of the World Cup. Poland had lost their two previous matches against New Zealand and Netherlands.

However, it was a heart-breaking defeat instead as the Singapore boys went down 1-2, with Poland scoring a penalty flick in the last second.

Poland threatened first when they missed a penalty corner in the 16th minute and then both teams lost a player each before half-time.

Nur Ashriq Ferdaus of Singapore was sent to the "sin bin" after a stick check, and the playing field was levelled after Poland's Piotr Kolowski was similarly awarded a yellow card, but the match remained goalless till half-time.

Singapore goalkeeper Brian Foo did well to keep out another penalty corner in the second half but he was powerless to prevent Piotr Kozlowski from opening the scoring at the 57th minute mark.

The lead didn't last long, however, as Singapore fought back and equalised within five minutes through Tan Yi Ru who scored their only penalty corner of the match.

Both teams tussled for control till the final play of the game when Poland were awarded a penalty stroke due to an illegal obstruction of an attempted shot at goal.

Krystian Makowski then had a chance to play hero as he rose to the occasion with a winning flick that sent Foo to the wrong side of goal.

"It could have ended any other way. We could have scored a goal and they could have scored a goal. Fortunately for them they scored and it was very unfortunate for us and very disappointing,” Said Singapore coach Lim Chiow Chuan after the Poland game.

“But I thought the team played very well today, especially the effort to get something from this game. But it was unfortunate to lose the game this way in the very last second of the match.”

“Having said that, I am proud of the team as they were very disciplined, very structured and followed team instructions. We still have to regroup and keep out heads up and we still have five matches to play and that is a lot. We have to refocus on the task ahead.”

In Singapore's final match of Pool D, Singapore put up a strong defensive performance against New Zealand, considered one of the tournament's favourites, but they still fell 1-3.

After the heart-breaking loss the previous night, the Singapore players were determined to redeem themselves. But they were unable to prevent New Zealand from scoring within the first 10 minutes with Captain Simon Child claiming it.

Despite being a goal down, Singapore continued to push for an equaliser and almost found it when a penalty corner fizzled past the goal mouth.

Both teams traded blows at the start of the second half but Child extended the lead by converting a penalty flick in the 43rd minute after a Singapore defender was adjudged to have used his leg to stop the ball on the line.

The Kiwis swiftly followed up with a penalty corner in the 49th minute, and Ricky Clark fired a well taken shot from the top of the circle into the corner of the goal to put them three goals ahead.

Unfazed by the score-line, Singapore stormed down the flanks and were rewarded with a goal in the 57th minute by Prashan Anbalagan, who swept in a loose ball that rebounded off the post.

Uplifted by the crowd of more than 4,500 spectators, Singapore pushed for another goal but could not add to their tally before the final hooter.

Singapore will now play classification matches in Pool I.