By REDintern Farah Alsagoff

Tampines Sports Hall, Sunday, May 3, 2009 – Skools Innebandy has had an easy run thus far in the Singapore Floorball League Division 1, thrashing both Nhac Tre No.1 (NTN1) 11-2 and Pasirian Hitmen 16-2. In just those 2 games, they have extended their goal difference to as many as 23.

RP Salibandy, on the other hand, have been thrashed 2-12 by Z-Atheletica Red Flamingoes (ZARF) and lost to NTN1 2-4. The very different odds would make one conclude that Skools were expected to coast to an easy win, and as floorballx.com claims, "Skools Innebandy will look to continue their goal scoring spree against RP Salibandy."

Skools took possession of the ball early on, and #98 Mckenrick Lim made a pass from half-court to #90 Ahmad Afzal, who was quick in taking a direct shot. RP's keeper #25 Muhammad Firdaus made a fantastic save to prevent Skools from taking an early lead.

RP seemed to be adjusting and adapting themselves under Skool's full-court pressure, but this was a misconception clearly seen when Skools #16 Azmy Rizman intercepted a pass in front of the goal. His shot was off-target.

Not to be outdone, RP had their first opportunity when #17 Abdul Hadi took a shot along the left within the keeper's box, but his shot went high and wide.

RP's defence proved themselves well as the players remained tight. Most of Skools' shots were blocked by players themselves, requiring little intervention from their keeper.

RP's Adul Hadi showed commendable ball control as he dribbled from half-court towards the corner right. He then took a shot that barely missed the top left corner of Skool's goalpost.

Shortly after, Skools' #3 Muhammad Shahmeer had a 1 on 1 opportunity against RP’s keeper Muhammad Firdaus, and he tried to out-dribble the latter. He failed to do so, as Firdaus caught the ball before Shahmeer had the chance to tap the ball into the goal.

RP's prudent and cautious attacks continued as #29 Muhammad Hisyam made a backhand pass to #27 S. Nanthagopalan. His shot was another close shave for Skools, as it barely missed the goal. RP's #53 Attar Shaheed ensured a continued play-up when he got a loose ball in Skools' court. He took a shot that went high.

Skools' shots continued streaming in, and #99 Hazmi Hasan received a pass along the sideboards and his shot went high and wide. In a quick counter-attack, RP #5 Muhammad Jumaeen made a pass to #35 Muhammad Firdaus Hosrin. His shot was on target, but Skools' keeper Khalique was quick to ensure that RP would not score before them.

Skools' finally found their opportunity in the 14th minute when their keeper #31 Khalique made a precise throw to #8 Brandon Cheong. He then passed the ball across the goal to the blind side for Shahmeer to easily tap the ball into an open goal. Skools' had finally scored, and with their trademark play-up that has become a classic in the floorball community.

In the 16th minute, RP's Attar Shaheed was given a 2 minute bench penalty for a high stick offence, giving Skools' a chance to unleash their power play. They were extremely calm and composed in their power play, and their passes mostly one-touch and almost perfect. They had a series of shots – #17 Sean Huang from half-court, #8 Brandon Cheong from the right side board and #90 Ahmad Afzal from the left sideboard - but all their shots were off-target.

At the same time, RP was engaged in a rather offensive box-play, as seen in their attempts to dribble up with the ball or lobbing the ball above Skools' defenders. Skools' sharp ball control and speed prevented them from taking any shots. The 1st period ended with Skools' leading 1-0.

The 2nd period started with a nice one-two inter-play by Skools' Brandon Cheong and Mark Seow, where Brandon passed the ball to Mark, then ran up to allow Mark to pass the ball back to him. Brandon found Shahmeer, who, with his back to goal, hooked the ball goalwards. It was really unfortunate when this spectacular shot was off-target.

Skools' got their leg-up in the match when #43 Khairul passed across the goal to #15 Jasawirda, who took a simple wrist shot into the top corner to double their lead.

His teammate Ahmad Afzal had been consistently trying to get his name on the score sheet. He received the ball in RP's half and tried to spin with it to outdo RP's Lim Jin Quan for a shot, but Jin Quan was able to cut Afzal off.

In the 26th minute, Skools' was awarded a free-hit for RP's incorrect hit. Mckenrick was covered, but his shot definitely wasn't as the ball sailed past both the defender and the keeper into the bottom left corner of the goal. Skools' now led 3-0.

Skools' Brandon had another opportunity for an equally stunning goal when he took a hard backhand shot. His unfortunate luck saw his shot hit the post and deflect out.

Skools' Shahmeer had another chance to score when Brandon Cheong found him in the slot area. He had the advantage of a blind side goal, but instead his shot went wide. This reporter noticed his shocked expression as if he couldn't believe that he missed that goal. He was transfixed and immobile momentarily after his shot.

RP #4 Jumaeen found #27 S. Nanthagopalan in Skools' slot area, but Jumaeen's pass was too fast for Nanthagopalan and he had to control the ball before taking a shot instead of a direct one. By then, his angle to shoot was too acute and his shot was saved easily by Khalique.

Skools' kept trying to extend the lead, and they succeeded. #43 Khairul intercepted a pass by RP's defenders behind the goalpost, and his superb ball control allowed him to simply tap the ball behind the RP's keeper Muhammad Firdaus, bringing the score to 4-0.

RP's Jin Quan was sent off in the 36th minute for an incorrect hit, giving Skools' an added advantage in an already lopsided match. Skools' were unable to capitalize on their power play as every shot was either blocked by the players or saved by the keeper.

Skools' teamwork was evident when after Brandon Cheong's shot was deflected, #88 Mark Seow was swift in his rebound which was eventually off-target.

RP was awarded a free hit in the 34th minute and #10 Melvin Tng got in a shot which sailed past all the players and the keeper into the goal. RP had finally scored their first goal.

Skools' did not want RP to get the last say, as Azmy Rizman received a pass in front of the goal from the left corner. His crisp shot went into the top right corner, and the score stood 5-1 to Skools'.

Skools' Ahmad Afzal did not want to be left out, as his stunning slap shot cruised into the mid-left corner of the goal, giving Skools' a 5-goal lead.

RP's #16 took a shot in Skools' half and S. Nanthagopalan did the same, only to see Skools' keeper Khalique save the attempts easily.

The 3rd period saw Skools' hoping to continue their double-digit winning spree as they rained shots on the RP goal. In a hit-in at RP's corner, Skools' Jasawirda ran into the centre of the goal. He received the pass and took a shot, only to see RP's Muhammad Firdaus save the ball.

In the 43rd minute, RP's Muhammad Jumaeen pushed Skools' #35 Muhammad Aqil out of the court. This resulted in a 5 minute bench penalty for Jumaeen for unsportsmanlike behavior.

Half a minute after the sending off, Skools' Sean Huang passed to Ahmad Afzal for a relatively silent slap shot, increasing the score line to 7-1.

Shortly after the goal, RP's Melvin Tng had a 2-minute sending off for lying play. This resulted in RP being 2 men down, with Jumaeen still serving his 5 minutes, and now Melvin. Sean and Afzal tried to repeat their recent goal with precise passes, but this time RP's Firdaus was prepared for the save.

Skools' Shahmeer attempted an air hook, but failed to complete it. Barely 10 seconds after Melvin's penalty was up, Skools' Brandon received a 2 minute penalty for incorrect pushing, making it a 4v4 situation. Both sides carried on their pressure - Skools' to maintain or increase the goal difference and RP to catch up.
Skools' were passing the ball around more than shooting, and passing up many opportunities when they had clear shots to score.

RP's #23 Firdaus Mohamed had a 1vkeeper opportunity, but his shot was saved by Khalique once again.

RP definitely didn't give up. In the 52nd minute, Attar Shaheed passed the ball to #3 Ahmad Kamil, who dribbled and stopped behind the goalpost. He passed the ball just beside the goalpost to Attar Shaheed in front of the goal for a quick backhand shot to score. It was now 7-2 to Skools'.

RP's opportunities kept coming. They had a free-hit after Skools' was penalized for slashing in the 54th minute. #23 Firdaus Mohamed passed the ball to Melvin Tng while #22 Joshua Lim was screening. Khalique, clearly distracted by Joshua, could not see the ball travel to Melvin. At some point, Joshua was even seen inside the penalty box, but the referees allowed the goal anyway, enabling RP to score their second goal in as many minutes. Skools' now led 7-3.

In the 57th minute, RP #17 challenged Skools' Sean Huang for a high ball heading towards Skools' goal. RP Abdul Hadi managed to tip the ball just over Skools' keeper Khalique's hands to score RP's 4th goal of the match.

As the final whistle drew near, Skools' were getting more and more competitive. In the 58th minute, Skools' Azmi Rizman received a pass in front of the goal with his back to it, while he was being marked by a defender. He spun around with a lightning-fast drag shot that RP's keeper Firdaus failed to save.

The final whistle blew shortly after, and the final score was 8-4 to Skools' Innebandy.

In what was expected to be an interesting match for Skools' to showcase their myriad of scoring abilities, RP stood out as the club to maintain the smallest goal difference and highest number of goals scored against Skools' thus far in the league. Innebandy have failed to achieve expectations of thrashing RP Salibandy, and the latter has definitely impressed the crowd with their proper adoption of tactics and tight defence.