By Lorna Campbell
Jocelyn Ng of Singapore takes aim against Namibia. Singapore eventually went down 45–56 in a close game. (Photo courtesy of Lorna Campbell)
Glasgow, Scotland, Wednesday, August 28, 2013 – Singapore’s 21 and Under team began their play-off campaign at the World Youth Netball Championship against Namibia in an end-to-end match that had the supporters on the edge of their seats. With a move into the 9th-12th playoff positions at stake, it was the Namibians who eventually triumphed 56–45.
Namibia is a country that the Singapore Opens team have played before in the Nations Cup but this was the first meeting of the two youth sides.
The Namibian goal shooter, Jaumbuaije Zauana, posed a problem with her height advantage over Nicolette Gan and Aquliah Afiqah in Singapore’s defence, while at the other end, the now-familiar shooting combination of Melissa Teo and Jocelyn Ng worked well around the familiar goal defence of Delila Keja who played in the 2012 edition of Singapore’s Netball Super League as part of the international player programme.
The first quarter was all-square at 13 goals each but the second half went in Namibia’s favour as they established a five-goal advantage.
The Africans played a dynamic, athletic game that Singapore have become familiar with from both Namibia and Tanzania at the Nations Cup, and Zauana converted several high looping passes over the shorter stature of the Singaporeans who continued to play their short, sharp passing game as much as possible.
The second half proved to be a tougher fight for Singapore as too many unforced errors crept in and Namibia stayed calm and composed to go ahead by 13 points (43–30) by the end of the third quarter which proved to be decisive.
Singapore didn’t give up though and played as strongly in the final 15 minutes as they had in the opening phase. They won the quarter 15–13 to reduce the goal difference but eventually went down 45–56.
Keja admitted her time playing in Singapore was a big advantage in today’s match. She said: “I knew how Singapore play and their coach was my coach during NSL so I knew what to expect and told my team how to play against them. It definitely helped us in a tough match.”
The Youngest member of the team, goal defence Aqilah Afiqah, explained why she thought they lost out to Namibia.
“I think we lost of a bit of focus in the third quarter but I am really pleased with how we played overall and how many goals we were able to score against them. It was really tough playing against such a tall goal shooter so we had to work really hard in the middle third of the court to try and stop them getting the ball to her,” said Aqilah.
Singapore’s defeat means they move into the 13-16th playoffs where they face group opponents Papua New Guinea.
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