Story by REDintern Siti Rohaniza Muhammad. Photos by Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports
Nicholas Ng (NSS #10) controls the ball against Bukit Merah. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Bedok Sports Hall, Wednesday, April 23, 2014 — Northland Secondary (NSS) beat Bukit Merah Secondary (BMS) 10–5 to defend their title in the final of the National B Division Floorball Championship.
Rupert Tan (BMS #10) led all scorers with three goals.
From the start of the first period, it was evident that Northland were physically bigger, with them pressuring Bukit Merah’s defence. Within the first five minutes, Northland managed to find the opening goal through Mark Yap (NSS #8). Nicholas Ng (NSS #10) and Muhamad Nor Shafiq (NSS #20) joined him in the scorers’ sheet, which extended their lead over Bukit Merah. Bukit Merah were unable to respond to the more aggressive Northland side and the first period ended with a 3–0 Northland lead.
The second period started with Northland scoring through Kendy (NSS #12). Despite Northland’s possession and domination, Tristan See (#8) quickly responded with Bukit Merah’s first goal of the match.
However, the physical size of the Northland players proved to be an advantage during one-on-one challenges and this advantage allowed them to extend their lead further with goals from both Mark Yap (NSS #8) and Muhammad Faris Danial (NSS #23).
On the other side of the court, Northland keeper, Muhammad Daanish (#86), made numerous crucial saves, which ensured that his team held their lead despite Bukit Merah’s attempts at goal. Northland widened their margin with two goals from Muhammad Haikel (#17). Bukit Merah’s captain, Rupert Tan (BMS #10) managed to find his school’s second goal of the match, narrowing the deficit. The second period ended with Northland holding on to a comfortable 8–2 lead.
Within the first minute of the last period, Tristan See (BMS #8) scored his second and his school’s third goal of the match. He tapped in a rebound and placed the shot in the top right of the goal post. Tristan’s goal seemed to boost the morale on the Bukit Merah bench and players began to take more shots on Northland’s goal. Northland responded less than two minutes later, after a lapse in Bukit Merah’s defence, through Keiji Watanabe (NSS #9), giving his school a 9–3 lead over Bukit Merah.
That did not stop Bukit Merah’s Rupert Tan (#10) from taking shots and finding his school’s fourth goal of the match. With a regained sense of urgency, Bukit Merah continued to take shots at goal but their shots were either wide or saved by the Northland keeper. Instead, Northland got their tenth goal of the match through Muhammad Faris Danial (NSS #23).
Despite the six-goal deficit, Rupert Tan (BMS #10) eventually found an opening and scored his third goal of the match with a minute left on the clock, narrowing the deficit to five goals.
Despite Keiji Watanabe (NSS #9) being issued a two-minute penalty, there were only seconds left on the clock and it was inevitable that Northland were going to defend their title against Bukit Merah. With the final whistle, the Northland supporters erupted in cheers upon the official victory against Bukit Merah.
Northland captain, Muhamed Syahmi (NSS #6) felt that his team had played well and had control of the game. “It definitely feels good to be the defending champions. To my teammates, thank you for the great experience and winning the championship is a bonus. Thanks to our teachers and coach for all their support. We will definitely try to defend the title again next year,” commented Muhamed Syahmi.
Bukit Merah have improved from a third-place finish in last year’s championship to a second-place-finish in this year’s edition.
Scoring by Period
Northland vs Bukit Merah
1st Period: 3–0
2nd Period: 5–2 (8–2)
3rd Period: 2–3 (10–5)
Top Scorers
Northland
Mark Jhomel Victoriano Yap (#8) – 2 goals
Kendy (#12) – 2 goals
Muhammad Haikel B Hafiz (#17) – 2 goals
Muhammad Faris Danial (#23) – 2 goals
Bukit Merah
Rupert John Tan Rui Meng (#10)– 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)
Bukit Merah Roster
Yue Wan Jun, Nelson (#7), Tristan See Jun An (#8), Iryan Shah B Khairul Anuar (#9), Rupert John Tan Rui Meng (#10), Daniel Chew Dai Yi (#11), Muhammad Ridhwan B Rossli (#12), Muhammad Akmal B Aszeman (#14), Tan Bin Ruei, Darren (#17), Shawn Tan Jun Rong (#18), Putera Danial Izack Suzaini (#19), Bryan Chan Shun Hao (#20), Muhammad Harith Fareez B Z (#21), Safiuddin B Salleh (#24), Soh Zheng Kang (#25), Siew Kang Jie, Nicolas (#31), Mohammad Aidil B Ahmad (#36)
National B Division Boys Floorball Championship — Fixtures and Results
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