Story by REDintern Siti Rohaniza Muhammad. Photos by Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports
Inaki Colombo (SGS #8) attempts a shot against Northland. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Bedok Sports Hall, Monday, April 21, 2014 — Defending champions Northland Secondary (NSS) defeated St. Gabriel’s Secondary (SGS) 9–8 to advance to the final of the National B Division Floorball Championship. Nicholas Joshua Ng (#10) and Kendy (#12) led Northland with three goals each, while Dickson Lee (#5) and Inaki Colombo (#8) led St. Gabriel’s with three goals each as well.
This semi-final match was a repeat of last year’s final where Northland lifted the trophy after defeating St. Gabriel’s based on penalties. Once again, the defending champions managed to edge out their close rivals 9–8 to qualify for the final.
During the opening minutes of the match, the teams proved to be worthy semi-finalists with both doing their best to find the first goal of the match. Eventually, Northland’s Keiji Watanabe (NSS #9) scored the opening goal to give his team the lead. However, Inaki Colombo (SGS #8) found the equalizer with a backhand shot. Northland then took the lead through Nicholas Joshua Ng (NSS #10). The first period ended with Northland leading 2–1 after a late goal from St. Gabriel’s was disallowed.
The second period saw St. Gabriel’s fighting back. Inaki Colombo (SGS #8) once again found the equalizer for his school. Northland, the physically bigger team, took the 4–2 lead with goals from Kendy (NSS #12) and Nicholas Joshua Ng (NSS #10). Keiji Watanabe (NSS #9) was given a 2-minute penalty after a push to St. Gabriel’s Mohammad Shah Rizq (#10). Despite the numerical disadvantage, Northland managed to extend their lead through another goal by Nicholas Joshua Ng (NSS #10). With that goal, Nicholas had managed to score a hat trick.
Not giving up, St. Gabriel’s persisted and continued to take shots against Northland’s keeper and eventually, they succeeded and found their third goal of the game again through Inaki Colombo (SGS #8). With momentum building up, St. Gabriel’s continued to dominate in the remaining minutes of the second period. Soon, they not only found the equalizer, but also managed to take the lead for the first time during the match, thanks to goals from Marcus Yap (SGS #28) and Nufail Aiman (SGS #3). St. Gabriel’s then went into the third period with a one-goal lead against Northland.
The third period saw both teams putting on a good fight. A fumble from the Northland goalkeeper saw St. Gabriel’s extending their lead to 7–5. However, Northland’s Kendy (NSS #12) scored two goals to reduce the deficit and both teams drew entering the last few minutes of the third period.
Both teams soon scored their eighth goal but it was Northland’s Muhammad Fauzi (NSS #2) who gave his team the lead after an assist from Nicholas Joshua Ng (NSS #10). Northland tried to extend their lead but the St. Gabriel’s goalkeeper made three consecutive excellent saves to deny the defending champions.
With a minute left, St. Gabriel’s were hoping to achieve the same feat as last year’s final where they equalized with Northland with 40 seconds remaining. Despite their persistent effort, they failed to find the back of Northland’s net. Northland took the eventual 9–8 victory.
Northland captain, Muhamed Syahmi (#6), said, “St. Gabriel’s were very good opponents. We were mentally prepared for the tough match especially after meeting them in the finals last year. We know that Bukit Merah is going to give their 110% and we are going to do the same. We will be mentally prepared and give our all during the match.”
Northland will be defending their title against Bukit Merah Secondary on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, while St. Gabriel’s will be facing Victoria School in the 3rd/4th placing match on the same day. Both games will be played at Bedok Sports Hall.
Scoring by Period
Northland vs St. Gabriel’s
1st Period: 2–1
2nd Period: 3–5 (5–6)
3rd Period: 4–2 (9–8)
Top Scorers
Northland
Nicholas Joshua Ng Joa Chim (#10) – 3 goals
Kendy (#12) – 3 goals
St. Gabriel’s
Lee Dickson (#5) – 3 goals
Inaki Colombo Couste (#8) – 3 goals
Northland Roster
Rizqan Daimshah (#1), Muhammad Fauzi Bin Abdul Wahab (#2), Muhamed Syahmi B Mohamed Am (#6), Mark Jhomel Victoriano Yap (#8), Keiji Watanabe (#9), Nicholas Joshua Ng Joa Chim (#10), Muhd Ferrie Danial B (#11), Kendy (#12), Hariz Amsyar Bin Muhd Zain (#15), Muhammad Haikel B Hafiz (#17), Muhamad Nor Shafiq B Norrudin (#20), Gabriel Denas Chang (#22), Muhammad Faris Danial (#23), Muhammad Iskandar B Abdullah (#27), Mohammad Andy Sukarsi (#32), Muhammad Daanish (#86)
St. Gabriel’s Roster
Ng Herk Kai Bill (#1), Nufail Aiman (#3), Lee Dickson (#5), Divagaran Al Kesavan (#7), Inaki Colombo Couste (#8), Michael Andre Navis C (#9), Mohammad Shah Rizq (#10), Bryan Antoine Benjamin (#17), Jeremy Chia (#18), Biondi Chua (#19), Muhammad Izz Hirzan (#21), Shaquille B Sahel Mattar (#23), Elijah Noel Lopez (#25), Marcus Yap Wen Jie (#28), Muhammad Danial (#29), Chia Zheng Feng Shawn (#98)
B Division Boys Floorball Championship — Fixtures and Results
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