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Day 2 - Singapore A vs Korea |
International - International Friendly | |
Period 1 The Singaporean team started off very strong in their atttack. Making several attempts at goal, but the Korean goalie has proved himself time and again as in the previous match against the Japanese by saving all the goals - be it flying balls or grounded one, he managed to keep the ball out of the Korean net. Even before 3 minutes passed, the Korean team incurred a penalty for high stick, leaving his team mates to defend their country's goal. But the Koreans kept up a strong defence, determined not to let in any goal even when Singaporean player Muhd Shahmeer, #3, wanted to trick the goalie into thinking he was passing to the right when he actually made an attempt at propelling the ball into the net! The Singaporean team's power play gave them countless chances to aim a shot at the Korean goal but the shots all veered off course and flew out of the rink instead of into the net.
With the Singaporeans possessing greater speed and skill, the Koreans could only employ one strategy - keep their centre clear of the ball and danger! It is evident when they start to dump the ball upwards whenever they snatch it back from the Singaporeans in their half, regardless of the direction the balls heads - and they have done well indeed as they managed to break through the Singaporean defence and scored a goal at 12:01 min! #2, Sang Ki Kim, sprinted down mid-centre of the court and did a drag shot that sent the ball tearing through the defence and into the back of the Singapore net! Anxious to convert their shots, the Singaporeans upped their pace but they also seem to be more impatient in their passes. However, they did not prevent them from scoring in the 13:39 min, as #21, Joshua Leroy of Singapore, gunned in the ball to the top corner of the net. Subsequently, #7, Mohd Hafeez, did an airhook at the side of the Korean goal that wowed the crowd considerably. Unfortunately for team Singapore, that amazing feat did not receive an honourable end, but was saved by the extremely quick reflexes of the Korean goalkeeper!
At 16:44 min, #12, Oswind Suriya of Singapore completed a forceful back hand that projected the ball into the back of the Korean net, giving the Singapore team a lead of 1 goal difference. Period 1 finished with a dramatic end as the Koreans came crashing through the Singaporean's side and one of their players flew into the Singaporean goalie, Abdul Khalique, #31, and sent the goalie flying backwards and the goalpost toppling over onto the ground just as the whistle was blown to signal the start of the 10 min interval. Despite that crash, score was fixed at 2-1 to Singapore A. Period 2
Only 20 seconds into the 2nd period and #21 of Singapore, Joshua Leroy did an excellent drag shot that unfortunately for him, landed up in the Korean goalie's ready hands. But the Koreans were not intimidated by the Singaporean attacks as they continued theirs as well and almost saw a goal coming about a minute later! Subsequently in a counter-attack, a swift pass by #90, Ahmad Afzal at 22:25 min to #7, Mohd Hafeez, who was situated diagonally to the Korean goal, almost resulted in a goal if not for the save by the Korean goalie - again. The shot hit his chest as he dived leftwards for the save. The game was not one-sided though because the Koreans took many shots as well that always flew over the the goal post, a more precise aim would be needed if they are to win this game! And as if by magic, as the above words were typed, #24 of the Korean team, Kwang Hwan Yeon gunned in a fantastic shot at 25:54 min. The reach of the Singaporean goalie was insufficient to save that shot. Or perhaps he wasn't as agile as the Korean goalie who seem to be able to predict the trajectory of the ball coming at the goal! Minutes elapsed but neither team is giving way. The Singaporeans' signature drag shot does not seem to work that well against the Koreans who manage to block off every single one of them, even if they don't the goalie is sure to catch it as it flies through the air to him! The attacks by the Singapore team intensified as #7, Mohd Hafeez kept targetting the goal and yet unable to slip it past the quick movements of the Korean goalie, however at time 33:43, he flicked the ball into the top right corner of the net, just a few centimeters shy of the Korean goalie's reach to bring home a goal for his team and pulling the scoreline up to 3-2 to the Singapore team. Period 3 At 47:24 min, Singapore team was awarded a penalty for the Koreans stepping in their goalie's box, #21 Joshua Leroy took the penalty shot and with much grace and ease, he put it past the Korean goalie as the crowd erupted with joy. The Singapore team's joy was to be extended as 17 seconds later, after the whistle was blown for the face-off, #69 of Singapore, Hazmi Hasan and 2 of his team mates advanced swiftly downwards into the Korean's side in a triangle. From the right flank, then to the left and to Hazmi who was situated just beside the Korean goalie's left. He tapped in the ball and shot through the air with jubilation. However the extension of their happiness was a one-time situation only for at 49:39 min, #27 of Korea, Sung Pill Kim, banged home a goal amidst a tangle of legs and sticks. Pure euphoria erupted at the Korean base. But subsequently at 49:57 min, #77, Jamie Chong of Singapore, brought the ball from the back through the centre and slammed it into the left side of the goalie who left it uncovered as Jamie progressed from the right flanks.
Perhaps this is a period of intense emotions as team spirit soars and everyone wants to do their country proud, therefore at 51:19 min, Korea secured another goal and they were again full of joy - a form of happinesss that is indescribeable for Singapore A team is supposedly one of the strongest team in this tournament and yet the Korean team seems to be somewhat on par with their opponents. It's probably a great feeling to keep the stronger opponent panicking for they have nothing to lose in this match but lots of experience to gain instead! Only 1 and half minutes left to the end of the match, the Koreans were awarded a free hit at the Singapore's side of the court, however, not only was the free hit not converted into a goal, #9, Eddie Tan and # 7, Mohd Hafeez of the Singapore team went on a counter-attack into the Korean's zone and did a 1-2 such that the Korean goalie had no possible chance of saving it however superhuman he is except by luck - loads and loads of luck! And thus the match ended with a scoreline of 7-4 to the Singapore team, an extremely hard fought win by the Singaporeans for the Koreans really gave them a run for their money by giving them occasional shocks and surprises throughout the entire match. The Singapore coach expressed the opinion that the Singapore team is probably not conditioned to play matches over consecutive days and hence the lack lusture performance today. Also she said that the Korean team as compared to the Australians last night were able to score more goals against them because they were more skillful in terms of their (wrist) shots, and hence were able to secure a higher percentage of conversion of their attempts at goal scoring. "They only had one strategy, and that was to wait out for the Singaporeans till they made a mistake on their own and then go in swiftly for the kill". There was only one thing that the Singapore coach wanted to tell her team, and that this tournament is not over yet and they should be aiming for a win for all their matches. Looks like the pressure is on the Singapore team to at least enter the finals of APAC 2007 |
싱가폴 국대와의 예선전...
실력차이를 인정할 수 밖에 없었던 경기...
싱가폴선수들의 장점은... 어려서 부터 해서 패스 슛팅과 같은 기본기가 좋고 자유로운 환경에서 성장하여 개인기가 뛰어나다는점....
졌지만 많은 걸 경험하고 배울 수 있었던 좋은 경기 였습니다.