Report from Singapore Hockey Federation

Singapore Regains Momentum with 6-1 Win Against Myanmar 

Singapore redeemed themselves with a 6-1 win against Myanmar on Thursday for the Group B Round 1 of the 2016 Men Hockey League to set up a semi-final showdown against China on 16 April (Saturday).

Singapore hit the ground running right at the two minute mark, with Mohammed Sabri Yuhari lunging forward to take possession of the ball after a pass from the Singapore Men’s Hockey team captain, Enrico Marican.

Yuhari was then cornered by Soe Thura from team Myanmar as he drew nearer to the side of the D. Soe proved too persistent and Yuhari lost his hold on the ball, with Soe hastily passing the ball to one of his teammates.

This pass was intercepted by Noor Shah Silas from team Singapore, and he mans the ball till the edge of the D, where he attempted to bring the ball in but unfortunately narrowly missed the goal post.

As Singapore created more chances in the first six minutes of the match, Myanmar stepped up their game and went on the offence as they tried to deflect most of the passes made by Singapore, with numerous attempts of snatching the ball from Singapore’s possession.

One such challenge was seen when Zin Oo Myo of the Myanmar team snatched the ball from Enrico Marican at the five minute mark, only for Enrico to get back the ball a minute later as a result of a poorly coordinated pass between the Myanmar players.

With Myanmar’s defence down, and the net wide open for a goal, it was perfect for Singapore to sweep in. Enrico Marican saw this opportunity and delivered a quick pass to Lee Chee Yong. However, the chance was missed when Chee Yong failed to apprehend the pass in time.

It was only at the ten minute mark that Singapore managed to break the stalemate. 

Ahmad Faris Johari struggled to keep the ball in his control as players from Myanmar tried desperately to veer the ball out of Johari’s reach. They almost succeeded in doing so when Johari momentarily loses the ball, but was redeemed by fellow player, Adam Aniq Amir.

Amir flitted across Myanmar’s defence and sent the ball flying into the net and gave Singapore its first point in the match.

The remaining of the first half showed Singapore creating plenty of chances and receiving two penalty corners, with one resulting in its second point in the match by Muhammad Haseef Salim. 

Be that as it may, Myanmar continued to push forward, determined to equalise the 2-0 scoring in the match so far.

They were the closest to getting a field goal at the 17th minute mark when Wai Ko undertook a long distance pass to Kaung-Htet Sa, with the latter missing the ball just at the edge of the goalpost.

However, Singapore pegged them further back with points coming from Mohammed Sabri Yuhairi’s conversion from a penalty corner  and Hanif Murid’s field goal in the 27th and 32nd minutes respectively.

Singapore would add two more points in the second half, with a Goh Kai Yang field goal in the 38th minute and another by Norman Teo in the 54th minute.

Myanmar managed to pull a point back at the 48th minute mark, when a penalty stroke was awarded to the team. Myanmar’s Captain, Ni Zar, stepped up to give Myanmar its first and only point in the match.

Singapore continued to pressure Myanmar throughout the second half, and Myanmar could have conceded more goals if it were not for the superb blocks and saves made by Myanmar’s custodian, Myo Thu Aung.

Hopefully, the win against Myanmar has boosted Singapore’s morale and confidence after a disappointing 2-1 loss against Sri Lanka last Tuesday.  

This very same confidence and high morale will be necessary as Singapore preps itself to face the undefeated team from China this Saturday.