Forming a line before Malaysian hockey captain Nur Azlin Binti Sumantri and holding up the Malaysian flag, the Malaysian girls’ hockey team sang their national anthem, fist over chest, ending off with a rousing cheer. They then proceeded to end the game decisively against Singapore, winning 8-0 in the fixture.
The match began with Singapore fans shouting out names of their friends in the home team. It was indeed a fierce fight, as ‘both teams played their best’, commented Nur Azlin Binti Sumantri. Still, Malaysia certainly had ‘more accurate passes’ and were ‘more sure of (their) positioning’, as Singapore team manager Taufiq bin Samusi acknowledged.
By the end of the first half, Malaysia was leading 5-0. They had constantly brought their play to their opponent’s half. Nurul’ Ain Bt Ahmad Zaidi scored the opening goal, before Nur Azlin Binti Sumantri scored her first goal of the Games just eight minutes later with a backhand shot. This was the most memorable moment of the ASG thus far for the Malaysian captain. The 3rd goal by Hanis Nadiah Binti Onn was scored less than a minute after that. Hanis Nadiah Binti Onn went on to score the 4th goal too, with Masyitah Bt Harun ending the first half with the 5th.
Singapore improved markedly in the second half as the girls started working better together. Singapore goalkeeper Nawaporn Tangjitchutchawal stood out with her numerous great saves, and Samusi credited her with the ‘single digit score’ that Malaysia eventually achieved. The most memorable part of the match for him – and the turning point of the match for Singapore – occurred when Singapore made its only major shot at the goal, with Tiffany Ong ‘making a good run’, according to the home team’s captain, Janna Lim.
Malaysia did not let up, with Masyitah Bt Harun converting one penalty and Wan Norfaeizah Binti Saiuti scoring the 7th goal. At 1.5 minutes before the end of the game, Masyitah Bt Harun scored the 8th and last goal with a rebound shot that went between Tangjitchutchawal’s legs.
Great sportsmanship was witnessed when players from both sides immediately started shaking hands with each other and the referees as soon as the game ended.
Both captains felt their teams’ performance had improved from their first matches against Thailand. Singapore captain Janna Lim certainly felt that her team had met their objective, to give Malaysia a tough fight and to prevent their on-court opponents from thinking that they could step all over them.
In anticipation of Wednesday’s finals, which would see a rematch between the two teams, Team Malaysia hoped to maintain their winning streak, while the Singapore team was determined to work very hard, reduce the score even more, and hopefully hold their opponents to a draw.
The match began with Singapore fans shouting out names of their friends in the home team. It was indeed a fierce fight, as ‘both teams played their best’, commented Nur Azlin Binti Sumantri. Still, Malaysia certainly had ‘more accurate passes’ and were ‘more sure of (their) positioning’, as Singapore team manager Taufiq bin Samusi acknowledged.
By the end of the first half, Malaysia was leading 5-0. They had constantly brought their play to their opponent’s half. Nurul’ Ain Bt Ahmad Zaidi scored the opening goal, before Nur Azlin Binti Sumantri scored her first goal of the Games just eight minutes later with a backhand shot. This was the most memorable moment of the ASG thus far for the Malaysian captain. The 3rd goal by Hanis Nadiah Binti Onn was scored less than a minute after that. Hanis Nadiah Binti Onn went on to score the 4th goal too, with Masyitah Bt Harun ending the first half with the 5th.
Singapore improved markedly in the second half as the girls started working better together. Singapore goalkeeper Nawaporn Tangjitchutchawal stood out with her numerous great saves, and Samusi credited her with the ‘single digit score’ that Malaysia eventually achieved. The most memorable part of the match for him – and the turning point of the match for Singapore – occurred when Singapore made its only major shot at the goal, with Tiffany Ong ‘making a good run’, according to the home team’s captain, Janna Lim.
Malaysia did not let up, with Masyitah Bt Harun converting one penalty and Wan Norfaeizah Binti Saiuti scoring the 7th goal. At 1.5 minutes before the end of the game, Masyitah Bt Harun scored the 8th and last goal with a rebound shot that went between Tangjitchutchawal’s legs.
Great sportsmanship was witnessed when players from both sides immediately started shaking hands with each other and the referees as soon as the game ended.
Both captains felt their teams’ performance had improved from their first matches against Thailand. Singapore captain Janna Lim certainly felt that her team had met their objective, to give Malaysia a tough fight and to prevent their on-court opponents from thinking that they could step all over them.
In anticipation of Wednesday’s finals, which would see a rematch between the two teams, Team Malaysia hoped to maintain their winning streak, while the Singapore team was determined to work very hard, reduce the score even more, and hopefully hold their opponents to a draw.
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