Story by Siti Rohaniza Muhammad/Red Sports. Photos by Matthew Lau/Red Sports
Lim Jian Hong (SIN #70) controls the ball. (Photo 1 © Matthew Lau/Red Sports)
ITE College Central, Friday, June 12, 2015 — Singapore beat Thailand 4–2 in a top-of-the-table clash in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games men’s floorball tournament.
Before the game, Singapore and Thailand were separated by goal difference only, as Singapore’s 17–2 win over the Philippines put them 15 goals up against the Thais, who had earlier upset Malaysia 6–2.
While Singapore showed good technical and tactical prowess on court, the Thai team had power and speed. The first few minutes of the match saw both keepers making outstanding saves. With both teams going hard to win every ball, the fast-paced game proved to be one worth watching.
Both sides had numerous opportunities to take the lead, but it was Singapore who managed to find the back of the net first through Glendon Phua (SIN #20) during a counterattack.
Keeper Jay Pal Singh (SIN #19) also made several amazing saves, which had the audience on the edge of the seats.
Singapore, clearly unsatisfied with their lone goal lead, went on to pressure Thailand with a full court press. Eventually their efforts came to fruition, as Siraaj Ramadhan (SIN #3) found Singapore’s second goal in the last minute of the first period.
At the start of the second period, Thailand’s Onsuk Watcharapon (THA #10) was given a two-minute penalty for incorrect pushing, but Singapore failed to capitalise on the numerical advantage. And despite the hosts dominating possession during the second period, it was Thailand’s Phuttharakkit Pornphon (THA #3) who found the back of the net to reduce his team’s deficit to a single goal.
Not long after, Abdul Hafiz (SIN #29) was given a two-minute penalty for roughing. However, they managed to extend their lead to two goals through excellent teamwork between Akmal Shaharudin (SIN #2) and Lim Jian Hong (SIN #70).
A few minutes later, Mazran Sutiman (SIN #12) calmly converted a well-delivered pass by Lim Jian Hong (SIN #70) to give Singapore their fourth goal of the match.
The end of the second period saw both teams receiving a two-minute penalty each – Singapore’s Glendon Phua for an incorrect hit and Thailand’s Kruarod Chonnakan (THA #18) for incorrect substitution – with Singapore still holding on to a 4–1 lead.
Despite the three-goal deficit, Thailand continued to give their best in the final period. In their desperate attempt to narrow their team’s deficit, Thailand incurred two two-minute penalties and a five-minute penalty, all within a duration of seven minutes. Singapore failed to use this to their advantage, even as they continued to dominate possession.
Thailand, however, managed to sneak in another goal through Onsuk Watcharapon (THA #10) but Singapore eventually won the match 4–2.
After two days of competition, Singapore have scored a total of 21 goals, which is the most by any team thus far. With this result, Singapore have almost secured their place in the final on June 14, and should add to Team Singapore’s gold medal haul.
Regarding his team’s performance, Captain Syazni Ramlee felt that his team gave their best and that fatigue may have also been the reason for their lack of performance. “Yesterday’s game ended quite late and we did not have enough time to do recovery. Unfortunately, we did not take enough chances in front of goal and there were a lot of turnovers but we have definitely given their best.”
Singapore will face Malaysia in their final preliminary match tomorrow, June 13, at ITE College Central at 7pm. The top two teams of the table will meet in the final on June 14 at 6pm.
Singapore vs Thailand
Scoring by Period
1st Period: 2–0
2nd Period: 4–1 (2–1)
3rd Period: 4–2 (0–1)
Scorers
Singapore
Glendon Phua (SIN #20) – 1 goal
Siraaj Ramadhan (SIN #3) – 1 goal
Lim Jian Hong (SIN #70) – 1 goal
Mazran Sutiman (SIN #12) – 1 goal
Thailand
Phuttharakkit Pornphon (THA #3) – 1 goal
Onsuk Watcharapon (THA #10) – 1 goal
Singapore Roster
Muhammad Akmal Shaharudin (#2), Siraaj Ramadhan (#3), Muhammad Hamka Irfan Mohd Shah (#4), Wong Zi Quan Gary (#5), Amshar Amin (#9), Jenmark Sorreda (#10), Muhammad Mazran Sutiman (#12), Tan Alvin (#14), Mohamad Rashid Jalaluddin (#16), Jay Pal Singh Sidhu (#19), Phua Zhi Ming Glendon (#20), R Suria (#23), Muhammad Syazni Ramlee (#25), Lim Mckenrick (#26), Yeo Kaixiang (#28), Abdul Hafiz Zubir (#29), Kumaresa Pasupathy (#33), Vignesa Pasupathy (#34), Lim Jian Hong (#70), Cheong Zhi Xian Brandon (#99)
Thailand Roster
Sohtree Auttachai (#1), Ratanaprathum Apichet (#2), Phuttharakkit Pornphon (#3), Pimpa Veerasak (#4), Pongchawee Teerawat (#5), Samanmit Pisit (#6), Kannala Pitsanu (#7), Srikaew Gorawee (#8), Phoosinoi Sattaya (#9), Onsuk Watcharapon (#10), Rinefalk Alexander (#11), Intani Norrawich (#12), Songnam Narawidch (#13), Sangmongkhol Surapong (#14), Promyart Trasama (#15), Juntakian Tanakit (#16), Boon-Art Thanakirt (#17), Kruarod Chonnakan (#18), Yosiri Wiros (#19), Prakotchue Monthon (#20)
SEA Games Floorball – fixtures and results
More photos on they next page
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