Story by Carissa Tan/Red Sports. Photos by Jerald Ang/Red Sports
Singapore celebrates after Captain Chua Xinni (#9) scores the winning goal in Singapore’s 1-0 victory over Indonesia. Singapore clinched the bronze medal. (Photo 1 © Jerald Ang/Red Sports)
Sengkang Hockey Stadium, Friday, June 12, 2015 — Singapore triumphed 1–0 over Indonesia for the second time in the tournament to clinch a hard-earned bronze medal in the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games women’s hockey tournament.
They had narrowly triumphed 1-0 over Indonesia in an earlier game on Sunday, June 7. That game was packed with penalty corners, and this game was no different. This time, a total of 10 penalty corners were awarded to Singapore.
With a bronze medal on the line, the hosts were eager to attack right from the start. However, in their haste, they suffered several defensive lapses. This gave the Indonesians two goal opportunities six minutes into the game. Fortunately, Singapore defenders raced back in time to block the shots.
Singapore were gifted with their first credible chance at goal 14 minutes into the game, but Banuh Nursabrina (#5) failed to tip the ball into goal as the pass narrowly veered out of her reach. The hosts continued to struggle, as they fumbled passes and poor ball control prevented them from building up their attack. Defensively, Eunice Teng (#17) played a key role at the back in preventing Indonesia forward Nurasiah (#9) from receiving through balls.
With eight minutes remaining in the half, Singapore fired an accurate shot on goal, but it was deflected by the Indonesian goalkeeper. Singapore were unable to make a breakthrough, even as they effectively contained Indonesia in their own half, so the teams went into the break 0–0.
Five minutes into the second half, Singapore nearly scored off a penalty corner. A cross from Laura Tan (#16) gave Eunice Teng (#17) the opportunity to tip the ball into goal, but it was off-target. They finally broke the deadlock 13 minutes in when Chua Xinni (#9) scored the opening goal off the team’s sixth penalty corner.
Rejuvenated, Singapore continued attacking relentlessly. Captain Chua Xinni (#9) led her team in attacks, with the hosts enjoying six credible goal opportunities in the second half. However, they struggled with the finishing drive at the goalmouth.
On her goal, Singapore Captain Chua Xinni, commented, “(I feel) really, really happy. I just wanted to get the goal in the net.”
About the match, she said, “There were some ups and downs. I think for the first half of the game, we were having the ball but we are just not taking our chances. But, in the second half, I think we did better in terms of getting the ball into the D and we tried to get as many penalty corners as we can and we converted it.”
The win saw the hosts end their SEA Games campaign with two wins and two losses. They were fourth in the 2013 edition of the SEA Games. The team will be participating in the upcoming Junior tournament and the Asian Challenge in December.
Scoring by half
Singapore vs Indonesia
1st half: 0–0
2nd half: 1–0 (1–0)
Singapore Roster
Lam Xin Ni (#1), Luo YingYing (#2), Tam Wan Ting (#3), Chen Yixin (#4), Banuh Nursabrina (#5), Ong Tiffany (#6), Chan Emily (#7), Chan Ivy (#8), Chua Xinni (#9), Wong Rhys (#10), Ho Puay Ling (#11), Lim Joan (#12), Sanip Syasya Rifqah (#13), Toh Limin (#14), Jefri Nur Syaheeza (#15), Tan Laura (#16), Teng Eunice (#17), Lai Felissa (#18)
Indonesia Roster
Selly A Florentina (#1), Irianti Ratnaningsih (#2), Septina Bisay (#3), Ken Ayuditha (#4), Tiffani S Makharti (#5), Yuliana Mansoben (#6), Sri Norma Yunita (#7), Deliana Fatmawati (#8), Nurasiah (#9), Sahida (#10), Sismya Winarsih (#11), Kristina Rumbiak (#12), Eka M Bundari (#13), Ester H Ampnir (#14), Feriana (#15), Ani Nopiani (#16), Desi Handayani (#17), Suci Ramadani (#18)
2015 SEA Games Hockey – fixtures and results
More photos on the next page
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