Hockey Female (Quarterfinals) - Hall 6 vs Hall 3

Published by Publications Team | Filed under Hockey (F)

Score: 0-0 at Full-Time, Penalty Shootout Sudden Death 4-3 (Hall 6 wins)

This match’s result was apparent from the number of supporters who went down and filled up the grandstand seating at NIE. It was a sea of Green, chanting the Hall 6 cheers in unison and urging the girls on the pitch to bring us to the semis!

From the get go, neither team gave the opponent space to breath. Every ball was relentlessly chased down, legs, bodies and sticks were all thrown in the way of the ball and the opponents trying to get an edge someway, somehow. For Hall 6, Vanessa, Ah Pok, Sera and Alex led the attack. The indefatigable Alex made runs looking for space and chasing down long balls and was a constant threat. Over at defence, our girls gave Hall 3 a run for their money with their great cover of the ball. Wing Han was a sterling example of composure marshalling the defence. Hall 3 gave up a large number of free hits through fouls. Unfortunately, nothing came out of it. Against the run of play, Hall 3 had a great opportunity at goal. A through ball saw one of their forwards in a 1-on-1 situation with our goalie. Thankfully, a poor hit resulted in the ball trickling wide off the post. The second half was very similar to the first, where neither team gave the other enough space to string a good set of passes. Vanessa, however, managed to set up Alex with a splendid through pass. Alex linked up with Sera for apromising move that ended in a penalty corner due to a leg ball violation. All eyes were on our girls as this could very well be the deciding play. But alas, a good and low shot flew mere inches wide off the upright. Good try girls. Before long, the referee signaled the end of the second half. Time for penalty flicks.

The excitement was at its peak right now. The game could certainly go either way. The Hall 6 faithful were relentlessly cheering the girls on.

Penalty Flicks:

Hall 3 – Score 1-0

Hall 6 – Chin Thin. A low hard drive to the left of the post. Goalie was too late in getting there. Goal!!! Score : 1-1

Hall 3 – Miss. Good save Qing Ti!

Hall 6 – Sera. She opted for the right hand corner. But didn’t place it wide enough. Easily saved by the goalie.

Hall 3 – Score : 2-1.

Hall 6 – Vanessa. Make or break time. And the grand old dame of Hall 6 sports kept her composure and slotted the ball past the goalie! 2-2. Sudden death time!

Hall 6 – Wing Han. Miss.

Hall 3 – Low left. Saved by Qing Ti!

Hall 6 – Jasmine. Another miss!

Hall 3 – Saved by Qing Ti again. Nothing was getting past her tonight!

Hall 6 – Alex. Smacked right in the middle. The goalie didn’t flinch and saved it.

Hall 3 – Yet another on the line save by Qing Ti. She was in red-hot form.

Hall 6 – Yiling. Another save by the goalie. Come on Hall 6. Just one ball.

Hall 3 – Thud! The ball bounced harmlessly off the upright. Luck was on our side tonight. The crowd at this juncture compared this series of flicks to the ones that took place last year where the sudden death went on till the lights went out. Our girls were absolutely composed. WE wanted it badly!

Hall 6 – Chin Thin. A superb flick that made the crowd cry out prematurely! Unfortunately, the goalie was quick enough to react. Good flick. Good save.

Hall 3 – Another brilliant save by the goalie Qing Ti.

Hall 6 – Sera. The second cycle began. Sera made up for her earlier miss and sent the crowd wild with a great shot. GOAL!!!!! Pressure on Hall 3. We could smell a victory.

Hall 3 – Credit to them for keeping their calm and catching Qing Ti off-guard with a shot that trickled through her legs. So close!!! Score 3-3.

Hall 6 – Vanessa. A great flick, born of experience and ability saw the ball bounce hard off the backboard. Goal!!!!

Hall 3 – Pressure on Hall 3 again. And this time, finally, they cracked! The ball was flicked woefully wide and out girl in green stormed the goalmouth to smother Qing Ti in congratulations!!!!! 4 -3. Game to Hall 6!!!!

A fantastic display of true grit and determination, girls. It was edge-of-the seat action from the first whistle. WE are so proud of you. You kept the Hall 6 flag flying high and mighty today. They can emulate our cheers. But they can never emulate our spirit and mentality. Great job ladies. Its on to the semis now. Ovia!

Story By: Norman

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