Netball Nations Cup: Singapore’s unbeaten run ends with 35-47 loss to Fiji

Story by Chan Hui Mui/Red Sports. Photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Thursday, December 8, 2011 — Singapore’s three-match unbeaten run at the Netball Nations Cup ended when they fell 35-47 to Fiji in a top of the table clash.

Despite a good second half performance, the deficit caused by a poor second quarter performance was too large for the hosts to overcome as they suffered their first loss of the competition.

Singapore went into the match looking to avenge their extra-time loss to Fiji at the World Netball Championship in July. Fiji, however, foiled Singapore’s plans with a space-defense strategy.

The Fijians quickly raced to a 9-3 lead before Singapore found their footing. Some patient play by the hosts helped them to narrow the deficit to three points, at 8-11, at the end of the first quarter.

The athletic Fijians then exploded in the second quarter with a 5-0 start while Singapore struggled to connect their passes. It took nearly five minutes before the girls in red scored their first goal for the quarter.

Singapore needed two injury timeouts and subsequently introduced Charmaine Soh and Chen Li Li on court. Despite the introduction of fresh legs, the hosts continued to struggle with their passing. Singapore managed eight attempts at goal during the quarter while their opponents had 17 — 14 of which were converted.

Further changes were made to the Singapore lineup in the third quarter and things finally got going. Singapore delivered accurate passes and 21-year-old Charmaine created several more opportunities in the goal circle to score 10 goals in the quarter.

Trailing 23-39 as they headed into the last quarter, Singapore introduced Nurul Baizura to fill the Wing Attack position, adding speed to centre-court. Building upon the momentum from the third quarter, Singapore increased their intensity of play.

Shooters Chen Huifen and Charmaine Soh were shooting well (75% accuracy), and with added interceptions from Chen Li Li and Lin Qingyi, the team had the crowd rooting for them. Despite outscoring Fiji by four goals in the last quarter, Singapore could not overcome the deficit established in the first half and had to contend with watching Fiji take the game 47-35.

Fiji’s coach Unaisi Rokoura said: “We are not too happy about the win. We had a good start but we did not have a good finish. The girls are not happy with the finish. We should have been consistent for all four quarters. We did not play our game at last quarter and we allowed Singapore to play their game.”

Looking forward to the final on Sunday, she said: “(If we meet Singapore again), we will need to play our Fijian’s game.”

“The second quarter was definitely not good but we came alive during the fourth quarter,” said Singapore head coach Karen Carpenter. “We will need to look into what are the things that we have done well in the last quarters and what are the things that we were lacking of in the other quarters.”

Singapore co-captain Lin Qingyi added: “It was definitely hard to clear the bodies (during the game) as they have set up a good zone defense. Throughout the game, we were more patient at times to overcome their defense. Nonetheless, we will still need to be better at overcoming this.”

On Singapore’s final group match against neighbours Malaysia on Saturday, December 10, Lin said: “Malaysia had a good game with Papua New Guinea (which they won 53-51). It will definitely not be an easy game for us.”

Singapore stand a chance to play in the final if they beat Malaysia on Saturday.

For more photos, go to the next page.