Youth Olympic Handball: Singapore overpower Cook Islands 59-38 on aggregate to finish fifth

Story by Kenneth Tan/Red Sports. Photos by Les Tan/Red Sports

International Convention Centre, Tuesday, August 24, 2010 — The Singapore boys’ handball team beat Cook Islands 32-18 in the second leg of the fifth and sixth place playoff to earn the fifth spot with an aggregate score of 59-38 in the Youth Olympic Games.

The first leg had finished 27-20 in Singapore’s favour. With the result, Cook Islands finished sixth and last in the handball competition.

It was a better performance from the Singapore boys as their shooting accuracy improved from yesterday. Having shot 47% (27 goals out of 57 shots) yesterday, they improved to 52% (32 of 62) in today’s second leg.

Pivot Koh Jing Li (#15) was the biggest hero with his excellent shooting accuracy of 80% (eight goals out of 10 shots). Wilmer Tay (#7) and Tow Wen Wei (#8) also played their parts with six goals each. Yesterday’s top scorer Arun Vinoth Perumal Pillay (#7) contributed five goals in this game.

Goalkeeper Izzat Hashim Siraj (#1) also had a fine game by saving 63% of the shots (24 saves out of 38 shots).

Despite carrying a seven-goal advantage into this game, the Singapore boys did not sit back and continued to search for more goals to extend their buffer.

Cook Islands wasted the opportunity to make a good start when they missed a penalty in the first minute when Tapi Mataora’s (#10) cheeky lob went off the bar.

Instead, it was Singapore who took the initiative through two goals from Koh Jing Li and Arun Vinoth.

Although Cook Islands equalised with goals from Peter Kermode (#11) and Gerald Piho (#13), Singapore went on a superb 6-0 scoring run in the next nine minutes to extend the lead to 8-2.

Singapore’s smooth passing and fast breaks made it hard for Cook Islands’ defence to handle. Jing Li ended the half with five goals and Arun Vinoth with four to put Singapore 17-8 ahead at half time.

Coach Wang Mingxing decided to switch things after the break by bringing in fringe players, substitute goalie Alvin Low (#14), Clement Choong (#2) and Oscar Ooi (#3), into the game.

The changes unsettled the team a little as Cook Islands scored three goals within the opening five minutes of the half to reduce the deficit to 18-11.

Vinoth and Jing Li were re-introduced into the fray after 10 minutes and their presence helped Singapore stabilize the team again.

Right-back Jason Tan burst into life in the second half as he grabbed three goals in four minutes to put Singapore 22-13 ahead.

Cook Islands’ ill-discipline cost them as pivot Cruz Robati (#2), Reed Akapi Cowan (#8) and captain Gerald Piho all had to serve two-minute penalties.

Seven goals without reply in the final 10 minutes was a fantastic end to the match for Singapore with Jing Li adding another three to his tally.

Goalkeeper Izzat Hashim Siraj (#1) was kept busy towards the end of the match with four successive saves to frustrate Cook Islands’ Gerald Piho (#13) and Volunteer Tokorangi (#4) while left winger Wilmer Tay rounded off Singapore’s scoring with a shot that crept past Cook Islands goalkeeper Munokoa Elikana’s legs.

Singapore coach Wang Mingxing was a picture of satisfaction after the match.

“This was a hard match. Both team played well and our opponents improved with each game and so did we. Fast breaks was our key to victory today. However, our technical ability and strategy are areas that still can be improved,” said the former China handball player.

“Both the fans and the team are really happy with this victory. The fans’ support is really heartwarming today. This experience not only helped to improve the level of handball in Singapore, but also in terms of raising the players’ confidence and fighting spirit.”

When asked what her plans for the future are, she seemed uncertain.

“I’m still not sure whether I’ll continue (as coach). I plan to go back to China to rest after YOG while the players will still train with their respective schools.”

Meanwhile the Singapore players were beaming with delight after the result having less than one-and-a-half years to train for the competition.

“I’m happy about it because we managed to make the score difference even wider,” said Wilmer. “We have less missed passes and all our set plays came together nicely throughout. Most importantly I can feel whole team coming together today.”

When asked about his overall experience in playing in the Youth Olympics Games (YOG), he looked a happy man.

“This is something overwhelming. Two years back, I didn’t expect myself in this situation where I can engage with athletes around the world. By chance, I was found and selected to join the national team. It’s a good experience to play at international level and also with my great athletes. I really hope handball in Singapore can flourish!”

Top scorer Koh Jing Li also weighed in: “I’m very happy right now. Without my teammates’ passes, I don’t think I can score. I’m proud of them and I hope Singapore is proud of this.”

When asked about his future, he said, “I’ll definitely continue to develop (my skills) handball as I love to play. I’ll also teach my friends and family members how to play.”

He also revealed he had to sacrifice studies and family time to train for this. When asked what he will do after this, Jing Li said: ”I will go out and have fun!”