Story by Siti Rohaniza Muhammad/Red Sports. Photos by Lee Jian Wei/Red Sports
Singapore celebrates in joy after goalkeeper Mohamed Fariza (#99) saves the last penalty shot. Singapore beat Thailand 2–1 in the penalty shoot out. (Photo 1 © Lee Jian Wei/Red Sports)
ITE College Central, Sunday, June 14, 2015 — Singapore’s women’s floorball team added another gold medal to the host’s medal tally after defeating Thailand 3–3 (2-1 after a penalty shootout) in the final of the 28th Southeast Asian Games (SEA) Games floorball competition.
The teams had earlier met in the preliminary round. That time, Singapore held off the Thais to win 2-1 in a closely contested match. Those who had witnessed that encounter would know that this was definitely a match worth watching, with both teams equally hungry for the win.
The first few minutes of the first period saw both teams going hard to win every ball, but both keepers made outstanding saves to deny either team from taking an early lead. However, a missed pass by the Singapore defence allowed Theongkhunthod Sunaree (THA #8) to give Thailand the lead in the 12th minute. The one goal-lead for the Thais was the first time the Singapore women had fallen behind in the competition. However, this was not to be for long. A shot from Xuan Yeo (SIN #3) deflected off the keeper’s hand and into the net to give Singapore their equaliser. With their nerves settled, Singapore had more shots at goal, but were unable to break the dead lock by the end of the first period.
Early in the second period, a perfectly executed hit by Laura Tan (SIN #37) allowed Ong Hui Hui (SIN #51) to score her fourth goal of the tournament to give Singapore a slim one-goal lead over Thailand. Both teams each had a player incur a two-minute penalty, but neither side were able to convert the advantage.
Subsequently, a lapse in the Singapore defence allowed an unmarked Tongkham Thanaporn (THA #7) to tap in Thailand’s equaliser. Debbie Poh (SIN #39) replied for Singapore soon after with a tap in from an accurate pass from Ong Hui Hui (SIN #51) to regain their lead. The home team continued to create many good chances, but were unable to extend their lone goal lead. The second period ended with the hosts leading 3–2.
At the start of the final period, Jill Quek (SIN #9) almost found herself at a goalscoring position after an amazing run, but she was hit by Thailand’s Doungsuda Onuma (THA #14) incorrectly, and subsequently awarded a penalty shot. Ong Hui Hui (SIN #51) was unable to convert the penalty. Minutes later, it was Thailand who found the back of the net through Duangporn Thararat (THA #18).
With the goal, the two teams found themselves at a deadlock for the third time in the final. Singapore received a one-man advantage when Thailand’s Thoengkhunthod Sunaree received her second two-minute penalty of the night. Yet, they failed to convert the advantage again. With minutes left on the clock, the Thais started playing more aggressively, and Duangporn Thanarat (THA #18) was lucky to get away with two consecutive aggressive acts. At the end of normal regulation time, the score was 3–3, as the teams headed into 10 minutes of extra time.
In extra time, Singapore’s Ou Mei Wen (SIN #20) received a two-minute penalty for pushing. Singapore survived the one-man disadvantage, only to pick up another two-minute penalty within seconds of her return. Jowie Tan (SIN #16) was also given a two-minute penalty for pushing at the back of the Thailand goal. The last minute of extra time saw Thailand’s Doungsuda Onuma (THA #14) and Suksin Khwanchanok (THA #9) given a two-minute penalty each, and Singapore found themselves with a two-man advantage. They were unable to make the advantage count, so the match headed into a penalty shootout.
The penalty shootout was nerve-wrecking, especially for the home audience. The first players from both countries, Jill Quek (SIN #9) and Theongkhunthod Sunaree (THA #8) scored the penalty. Singapore’s Ou Mei Wen (SIN #20) and Debbie Poh (SIN #39) then missed the next two shots, but Singapore’s custodian Fariza Begun (SIN #99) pulled off two amazing saves to deny the Thais from finding the back of the net. Eventually, it was Natalie Wee’s (SIN #19) goal that gave Singapore the 2-1 win through penalties.
Singapore vs Thailand
Scoring by Period
1st Period: 1–1
2nd Period: 3–2 (2–1)
3rd Period: 3–3 (0–1)
After Extra Time: 3–3
Penalty Shootout: 2–1
Scorers
Singapore
Yeo Xuan (SIN #3) – 1 goal
Ong Hui Hui (SIN #51) – 1 goal
Debbie Poh (SIN #39) – 1 goal
Thailand
Theongkhunthod Sunaree (THA #8) – 1 goal
Tongkham Thanaporn (THA #7) – 1 goal
Duangporn Thanarat (THA #18) – 1 goal
Singapore Roster
Yeo Xuan (#3), Evangeline Poon (#5), Jill Quek (#9), Lim Jia Mei Vanessa (#12), Kee Josecelin Tingyi (#13), Lim Felicia Pei Ting (#15), Tan Jowie Hui Ying (#16), Wynne Tang (#17), Wee Natalia Clare Yuning (#19), Ou Mei Wen (#20), Khoo Min Zhi Denise (#21), Amanda Yeap (#22), Suhaidah Mohd Yusof (#31), Tan Jean Lynn Laura (#37), Poh Debbie (#39), Ong Hui Hui (#51), Sharifah Syed Abdullah (#57), Lai Soak Kuan (#77), Gracia Sengutuvan (#93), Fariza Begum Mohamed Zabir (#99)
Thailand Roster
Thiptha Supasuta (#1), Chanted Nattida (#2), Utta Sunisa (#3), Yoolai Pichavee (#4), Maneepura Mutmee (#5), Hinmalai Aunchleeporn (#6), Tongkham Thanaporn (#7), Theongkhunthod Sunaree (#8), Suksin Khwanchanok (#9), Ounmuangthong Nattawan (#10), Suppa Nina (#11), Watcharoen Ornpanee (#12), Toemsombatbowon Pornsuree (#13), Doungsuda Onuma (#14), Jornburom Vilaiporn (#15), Jutawijittam Nasha (#16), Phetpraphai Wibunsiri (#17), Duangporn Thararat (#18), Suttiprapa Somlak (#19), Bungnasaeng Sornsawan (#20)
SEA Games Floorball Fixtures (Women)
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