Singapore win their first and last match in men’s junior Hockey World Cup

Contributed by Elgen Kua. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports.

Sengkang Sports and Recreation Centre, Saturday, June 20, 2009 – Singapore claimed its first victory in front of 1,200 fans in a fiercely-fought contest for 19th place, beating the United States of American (USA) 3-1 in the Standard Chartered Bank men’s junior Hockey World Cup.

The hosts got off to a good start through a 28th minute penalty corner after Johnson Sivalingam was found unmarked in the ´D' and flicked the ball into the goal to put his side ahead. USA had a great chance to equalise two minutes later but goalkeeper Kevin Na was equal to the task and kept the score-line intact up till half-time.

Singapore, who had difficulties keeping its lead throughout the tournament, was determined to hold its one-goal advantage with the resumption of the second-half. After five minutes from the restart, Singapore's captain Muhammad Sabri Yuhari initiated a counter-attack on the break with a fine pass down the right flank into the path of Nagarajan Balukumaran, who crossed unselfishly for Enrico Elifh Marican to score Singapore’s second goal.

USA was rattled and Singapore increased its lead in the 56th minute through Sivalingam’s solo effort from the left wing. USA pulled a consolation goal back from the penalty spot through their captain Jonathan Ginolfi with ten minutes left, and Singapore held on for the rest of the match to record their first win of the tournament.

Said Singapore's coach Lim Chiow Chuan: "We're very happy to finally get a win and obviously at the tail end of the competition the players are extremely fatigued and tired, but they just wanted to play and get the win they longed for and we played well today.”

“These eight invaluable world-class matches have been wonderful and they've improved from match to match. The challenge is to keep these guys going, to continue playing the sport, to train and most importantly to continue being exposed to higher levels of competition."

Said USA's coach Nicholas Conway: "It is a difficult situation for both teams to be playing for the last place, there is no question in my mind that the best team won today. Singapore was close in several matches, and credit to them today, I think they fully deserve the victory.”

“We were really disappointed that we are not able to show better of ourselves and compete with them on a more even basis. But my point to the team is that I much rather have these players come with an experience like this than not being here, using this tournament as a development process and look back on the positives that come out of it."