Story by REDintern Noor Farhan

Republic Polytechnic Sports Complex, Monday, January 11, 2010 - Nanyang Technological University (NTU) were held to a 1-1 draw by the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) in the men’s Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Floorball Championship.

From the get-go, SIM tried to draw first blood with a closed-range effort from a tight angle by Zaim Nuriman (#27) in the second minute that was parried by the NTU keeper.

NTU responded with an attempted wraparound by their #13 in the seventh minute that was foiled by the well marshalled SIM defence.

For the first period, play was not smooth as there were frequent stop-starts due to the high number of fouls committed by both sides.

NTU showed plenty of attacking initiative, with a quick dragshot by #22 saved by the helmet of the SIM goalie Zhakaria (#21). A cagey first period by both sides cancelling each other out tactically saw it finish 0-0.

NTU eventually took a 1-0 lead in the second through #13 after a clever through pass by #10 carved open the SIM defence at 10:34.

A nervous Martin Low (SIM #4) lost possession in his own half after dallying for too long, enabling NTU's #17 to pounce on the loose ball and round the keeper who was left stranded. However, he could not apply the finishing touches at 12:50, with a weak effort going well wide, much to the chagrin of the vocal crowd in attendance.

NTU again turned up the heat with efforts by #9 and #27 going off target. With one minute to go, good passing by SIM's Jasawirda (#15) and Nuriman (#27) freed up Martin (#4) who simply could not apply the finish.

In the last period, SIM grabbed the equalizer through Yan Onn Mun (#12) with six minutes to go. A quick break down the left flank found him some space and he unleashed a drag shot from ¾ court that left the NTU goalie dazed.

This was followed by more aggressive challenges from both sides and the referee finally had enough, giving SIM's Taufiq (#17) a two-minute penalty after a team foul.

After a time out with three minutes to go, NTU's #15 looked very threatening going forward, taking several potshots at SIM's goal but to no avail.

His disappointment was clearly shown on his face as the final buzzer rang on a 1-1 draw.

"I would say it was a safe game being played by both sides, with more attention being given to defence," said NTU's team captain, Wong Jie Hong.

Of their battling display, SIM coach Najib had this to say: "For us, it's a good result because we would usually lose to sides like NTU. Their most dangerous player was Sim How Chong, playing from deep. However my team did well, kept their defensive shape and put in a good performance tonight."

NTU Lineup
Chong Guan, Yew Kiong, Ho Ming, Kai Yong, Scott Loh, Fazly, Jan Fazly, Santa Bahadur, Omar Basri, Zhu Junwei, Wong Jie Hong, Sim How Chong, Ting Yi, Hairezzal Hairon, Ho Jin Yong, Sufiyan, Iskandar, Kevin, Kenneth Leong, Andrew Lim

SIM Lineup
Hazwan #1, Johan Lim #2, Martin Low #4, Gurvinder Sidhu #5, Benjamin Ang #7, Tan Su Yee Brian #8, Eugene Lim #10, Yan Onn Mun #12, Saifulnizam #13, Md Ishak #14, Jasawirda #15, Md Taufiq #17, Md Zakharia #21, Loh Wai Leong #23, Neville Chew #24, Shanmugah #25, Zaim Nuriman #27, Kenneth Ho #28, Naseeruddin Shah #30, Md Iskandar #55, Gabriel Teo #57, Hong Zhen You #87, Md Haikal #88

N.B. If anyone knows the names of the players referred to by their numbers, please let us know and we’ll update the story. Thanks.

For more results, please go to: SCHOOLS FIXTURES & RESULTS