Story by Shadiq Al-Hussain

pol-ite hockey nanyang poly vs temasek poly

An NYP midfielder attempts to manoeuvre through a crowded midfield. (Photo © Namira Azman)

Nanyang Polytechnic, Friday, November 4, 2011 — Temasek Polytechnic (TP) drew 1-1 with tournament favourites and current front runner Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) in the Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) Girls’ Hockey Championship.

TP had won their first two games and a win over NYP would have left both teams tied at the top of the six-team league. NYP win would have stretched their lead to six points.

However, neither side was able to snatch all three points in what can only be described as a very cagey affair which had the ball pinned in midfield for far too much of the match.

Despite starting the match brightly by winning a penalty corner after just two minutes, NYP could not impose themselves on their opponents as they had done in previous seasons. In fact, the perennial favourites had to wait 16 minutes before their first clear shot on goal, but Toh Lai Min’s (#14) shot was easily saved by TP goalkeeper Sengie Chong (#1).

TP, a largely unfancied side that has surprised so far with two wins out of two, did not fare much better, having to wait till the 20th minute for their first penalty corner. Ravi Daisy (#17) found herself one-on-one with NYP goalkeeper Teo Kai Hui (#1) but her shot was too soft to cause any damage.

Two shots on target — one for either team — was perhaps the most telling statistic of a drab first half. The second half was similar but saw more goal scoring opportunities. Feeling they had a chance of toppling NYP, TP emerged with renewed energy and after taking some time to find their feet, laid siege to the NYP goal. Their efforts paid off in the 46th minute when, rather comically, Eunice’s (#26) hit into the ‘D’ took an accidental deflection off teammate Sharifah’s (#6) stick, causing the ball to loop over the helpless Kai Hui.

This provoked a response from NYP, who could have equalised just two minutes later but a double save from Sengie kept TP in the lead. NYP now began to control possession, with Nurain Abdul Rahman (#15) catching the eye with her surging runs. After a period of sustained pressure, NYP won three penalty corners in a row and an equaliser came in the third of these when Nur Mahirah (#9) turned her teammate’s shot into an empty goal.

With seven minutes left to play, both teams hit hopeful, but at times aimless, long balls in the hope of finding their forwards, but no real chances materialised and the match ended in a draw, keeping both these teams tied at the top of the table.

Although the hockey itself left much to be desired, especially in the first half, an encouraging sight was seen in the stands. Whereas only a handful of spectators were seen in previous editions of the POL-ITE hockey tournaments, the stands were practically filled with supporters from both schools today.

When asked about this, NYP student Wahidah Begam, who was watching a POL-ITE match for the first time, quipped, “Hockey is gaining popularity in NYP because our teams have been traditionally quite strong and even comprise some national players. As such, NYP students are becoming proud of their teams and getting behind them. This made me want to watch today’s match. We did not win but I am sure our girls are capable of much better hockey and I am confident they can still win the title.”

TP next take on ITE on Monday, November 9th, while NYP play ITE in their final match of the tournament on November 18th. Both matches will be at the NYP Hockey Pitch at 5pm on the respective days.