By REDintern Kenneth Tan

Republic Polytechnic Sports Complex Competition Hall, Wednesday, November 4, 2009 - Temasek Polytechnic (TP) finally got their first win in the men's Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) Floorball Championship with a 6-4 win over Singapore Polytechnic (SP).

This was a bottom-of-the-table clash, with both TP and SP winless in their first four matches. TP drew two and lost two while SP lost all four matches so far. SP bizarrely played with patched up handwritten numbers on their jerseys, which made their numbers hardly visible.

The first goal of the game arrived after less than three minutes with TP’s Ameer Barakat Ali (#16) scoring from a free hit from quarter court past SP's goalie Haekal Bin Mohd Rosli (#24), making it 1-0 to TP.

SP's Mohamed Afiq (#10) tried to reply three minutes later with a shot from the left after a pass from captain Muhammad Ammar (#22) but the shot went just wide.

TP appeared the stronger in the first period as they launched attacks after attacks. Muhammad Hazim’s (#18) shot after a weaving run through the middle by Ameer was parried and Muhammad Firdaus’s (#22) drag shot from quarter court going wide.

Their efforts finally paid off when Lin Hejun’s (#13) drag shot from the right flank went into the top left corner, and increased the lead to 2-0 for TP.

The second period with TP on the attack. Muhammad Faris’ (#89) drag shot from quarter court further increased the lead to 3-0 after just one minute played.

Just as the game looked over for SP, they suddenly exploded into life within two minutes.

On 18.22, R. Suria (#99) dribbled past TP's custodian Hilman Bin Hariadi (#1) and slotted into the empty goal. 12 seconds later, Mikael Seet (#9) lashed home from a cutback from the right flank and SP now trailed by only one goal at 2-3.

The TP team started to look nervy as their supporters began to rally some support from the sidelines. SP then nearly completed their incredible fightback one minute later when Muhamad Isa’s (#11) fierce shot was parried by Hilman.

TP tried to sustain the pressure as Hazim's shot from quarter court was saved by Heakal, and a Muhmmad Azri (#7) shot after a good run from Calvin Lim (#71) down the left was denied again by Heakal.

SP also had a chance as Muhd Alif (#90)'s shot from the right was also saved by Hilman's legs.

Towards the end of the second period, TP regained their three-goal advantage with goals coming in the last five minutes.

First, Lee Rayner (#17) smashed home a loose ball on 25.05 after a defensive mistake in the penalty area by SP, then Muhammad Azni's shot from the right flank 3 minutes later also went in to give TP a 5-2 lead.

The third period was restarted with SP piling on the pressure, as Muhammad Isa's run and shot from the left flank was saved, and Muhd Alif's shot flicked off the post and went out.

Their pressure was finally rewarded with Daniel Teo's (#15) shot from half court going straight into the goal on 36.55, reducing arrears to 5-3.

As the match became more of a contest, there were a few physical clashes between the two sets of players with SP's Benjamin Tan (#2) knocking TP's Muhammad Masri (#20) out of boundaries and TP's Lin Hejun brought down by a strong shoulder charge from SP's Muhammad Ammar.

TP soon put the game to bed with five minutes to go as Muhammad Ashrat (#5) swept the ball into the top right corner past Haekal, making the score 6-3.

As the clock winded down, the TP supporters counted down the final 10 seconds in the face of an imminent victory for their team.

However there was still time for a final piece of action as SP's Suria's desperate shot rattled the goal and went into the top left corner just as the buzzer sounded for full time. After some discussion between the officials, the goal was awarded, granting SP a consolation goal.

The game ended 6-4 to SP.

This was the last match of the POL-ITE championship for both teams, with TP finishing 5th ahead of SP in the table with one win, two draws and two losses, while SP finished bottom with five losses from five matches.

Score Breakdown
1st Period: 2-0
2nd Period: 5-2
3rd Period: 6-4

Scorers
2.38 Ameer Barakat Ali (TP #16)
11.45 Lin Hejun (TP #13)
16.00 Muhammad Faris (TP #89)
18.20 R. Suria (SP #99)
18.32 Mikail Seet (SP #8)
25.05 Lee Rayner (TP #17)
28.35 Muhammad Azni (TP #7)
36.55 Daniel Teo (SP #15)
40.00 Muhammad Ashrat (TP #5)
44.59 R. Suria (SP #99)

To view 2009 POL-ITE Floorball Championship Standings:

http://redsports.sg/2009/11/05/pol-ite-floorball/