Story by Siti Rohaniza Muhammad/Red Sports. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports

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Ong Hui Hui (#51) hugs Debbie Poh (#39) after Debbie assists Hui Hui to score a goal. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)

ITE College Central, Thursday, June 11 , 2015 — Singapore put five past Malaysia to begin their quest for their first SEA Games gold in floorball.

This is the first time floorball will feature competitively at the biennial Games. The sport had made its debut in the previous edition of the Games as a demonstration sport with no official medals given out. Singapore are favourites to sweep both gold medals.

Singapore quickly drew first blood within the first minute of the match through Lai Soak Kuan (SIN #77). Off from a save by Singapore keeper Fariza Begum (SIN #99), the Singapore forward dribbled past defenders and placed the ball at the bottom left of the net. Shots continued to be fired by both teams, but were stopped by the outstanding performances from both keepers. Singapore also rued numerous missed opportunities from wide shots and missed passes, with nerves playing a part. The first period ended with Singapore holding a slim one-goal lead over Malaysia.

In the second period, Singapore had numerous scoring chances, but still failed to convert them. Eventually, an assist by Debbie Poh (SIN #39) allowed Ong Hui Hui (SIN #51) to give Singapore a two-goal lead ahead of their causeway rivals.

With Singapore finally settling down, and the Malaysian team feeling the fatigue, the home team dominated the court in the final period. In the sixth minute, Hui Hui and Debbie replicated their earlier goal to extend Singapore’s lead to three goals. Singapore’s Jill Quek (SIN #9) then added her name to the scorers’ list after taking a shot at the Malaysian keeper’s blindside. Debbie Poh continued her impressive performance, with another assist to Laura Tan (SIN #37). The match ended with Singapore winning 5-0.

Singapore Captain Wynne Tang commented that the support from the home crowd helped them settled their nerves. Suhaidah Mohd Yusof (SIN #31) added, “Previously, most of our competitions were overseas, so we were pretty excited to play in front of our family and friends.”

Singapore will face Thailand on Friday, 12th June at 7pm, ITE College Central.

Singapore vs Malaysia
Scoring by Period
1st Period: 1–0
2nd Period: 2–0 (1–0)
3rd Period: 5–0 (3–0)

Scorers
Singapore
Ong Hui Hui (SIN #51) – 2 goals
Lai Soak Kuan (SIN #77) – 1 goal
Jill Quek (SIN #9) – 1 goal
Laura Tan (SIN #39) – 1 goal

Singapore Roster
Yeo Xuan (#3), Kee Joscelin Tingyi (#13), Wee Natalia Clare Yuning (#19), Khoo Min Zhi Denise (#21), Lai Soak Kuan (#77), Fariza Begum Mohamed Zabir (#99), Evangeline Poon (#5), Jill Quek (#9), Lim Jia Mei Vanessa (#12), Lim Felicia Pei Ting (#15), Tan Jowie Hui Ying (#16), Wynne Tang (#17), Ou Mei Wen (#20), Amanda Yeap (#22), Suhaidah Mohd Yusof (#31), Tan Jean Lynn Laura (#37), Poh Debbie (#39), Ong Hui Hui (#51), Sharifah Syed Abdullah (#57), Gracia Sengutuvan (#93)

Malaysia Roster
Khoo Michaela Lee Ann (#1), Tan Eeleen (#6), Beriak Ivana Sonia Anak (#12), Goh Yen Yen (#15), Cheah Pei Yi (#18), Siti Alina Suhaimi (#39), Giam Giam Hui Ni (#5), Lee Shan Ling (#7), Wong Wendy Kwan Lai (#8), Ang Ling Ling (#11), Fathih Hasni Che Husain (#13), Naomi Mair Selvanayagam (#16), Nurhasheda Md Noh (#17), Norhafizah Razali (#23), Nur Aainaa Puteh Hussin (#26), Kong Qiu Ginj (#27), Nor Eeza Zainal Abidin (#32), Cheong Jadeera Phaik Geok (#33)

SEA Games Floorball Fixtures (Women)

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