By REDintern Jasmine Goh
Oscar Ooi (#3) of RP takes aim as NYP goalkeeper Teck Yeow (#9) anticipates. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Singapore Polytechnic, Saturday, October 5, 2013 – In a topsy-turvy battle, Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) emerged with a 24–23 win over Republic Polytechnic (RP) in the 3rd Invitational Handball Games.
The game was extremely tight, with RP leading 13–11 at half time. Robin Tan (NYP #7) was the leading scorer with 11 points.
Both teams remained neck-and-neck throughout the first half.
NYP stole the first two points with a smooth interception from Don (#11) and a fastbreak down the court by Jonathan Lian (#13). RP winger Benjamin Lau (#9) managed to pull off his cut-ins through the NYP defense to take the score to 6–5.
It was a successful 9m penalty attempt by Jing Li (RP #26) that found RP clinging to a 13–11 lead heading into half time.
In the second half, NYP were quicker in their cut-ins and more accurate in their shooting attempts. However, RP’s staunch defense did not make it easy for their opponents to get through.
A cut in by Marcus (NYP #69) reduced the deficit to just two points at 20–22. This seemed to be the turning point for NYP as it was soon followed by two consecutive shots by Jonathan Lian (#13) and Robin Tan (#7) which tied the game 22–22.
At this point of the game, fatigue was evident on the faces of both sides.
Chun Hua (RP #4) then scored the penalty shot for his team to take a crucial one-point lead. In the end, it was Marcus (NYP #69) who turned the tables around by scoring two consecutive goals for his team to take NYP to victory.
At the final whistle, NYP players and supporters erupted in joy, celebrating their last-minute comeback as well as their first win of the competition.
“Despite the tough fight, we played well as a team today. I’m really proud of them for not giving up,” said NYP captain Jonathan Lian (#13). “RP players also displayed great sportsmanship throughout the game and that was truly commendable as well.”
Top Scorers
NYP
Robin Tan (#7) – 11 points
RP
Chun Hua (#4) – 7 points
GK Stats
NYP
Teck Yeow (#9): 16/39 shots saved (41.0% save rate)
RP
Soo Auen (#12): 16/40 shots saved (40.0% save rate)
NYP Roster
Aaron (#1), Aron (#2), Edward (#3), Faez (#4), Halimin (#5), Kah Kean (#6), Robin (#7), Somboon (#8), Teck Yeow (#9), Wen Quan (#10), Don (#11), Wilson (#12), Jonathan (#13), Yaoteng (#14), Yuxun (#15), Marcus (#69)
RP Roster
Randy Tan (#1), Oscar Ooi (#3), Chun Hua (#4), Jeremy Ng (#7), Edward Lau (#8), Benjamin Lau Junqi (#9), Soo Auen (#12), Pritpal Singh (#14), Wilson Tan (#17), Qaimarul Jeffrey (#19), Asyraf Jumale (#25), Koh Jing Li (#26)
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