Story by Clara Yuan/Red Sports. Photos by Soh Jun Wei and Clara Yuan/Red Sports

Nazarudin (SIN #9) and Chiang Chia Ling (SIN #8) tries to stop the ball during the Goalball Men 1st Preliminaries Round at the 8th ASEAN Para Games. (Photo 2 © Soh Jun Wei/Red Sports)

Nazarudin (SIN #9) and Chiang Chia Ling (SIN #8) try to stop the ball during the Goalball Men Preliminary Round at the 8th ASEAN Para Games. (Photo 1 © Soh Jun Wei/Red Sports)

Marina Bay Sands Hall D, Friday, December 4, 2015 — Singapore recorded its second loss in the Men’s Goalball event, after going down 3-13 to Indonesia in their second match in the 8th ASEAN Para Games. Earlier today, Singapore went up against Laos and lost 4-14.

Indonesia headed the game with a strong start, racing to a comfortable 4-0 lead with their strong attacks. Singapore fought back and scored their opener through Nazarudin Abd Razak (#9) with three minutes left in the first half. Indonesia led 5-1 going into the halftime break.

Indonesia continued to extend their lead in the second half but Singapore worked on their defence and tried to pull the score closer. Singapore eventually lost 3-13.

“We held our game well and defended well. Our shots are not good because we do not have the power so we relied on getting as many shots on target as possible and forcing them to commit penalties,” said Singapore’s coach, Bay Hansen.

Nazarudin Abd Razak (SIN #9) had this to say when asked about his thoughts on the game: “Focus on the game and not think of the goal, and simply enjoy the game.”

“Our main objective besides doing our best in the game is to create awareness,” added Hansen, while Chiang Chia Ling (SIN #8) commented: “We hope that we can introduce this sport so that people with visual impairment will take up this sport, especially the younger ones.”

On the full crowd support, the athletes were happy and Chiang added that it felt “electrifying to see so many Singaporeans come down to support us and to learn about this sport.”

Scoring by half
Singapore vs Indonesia
1st Half: 1-5
2nd Half: 3-13

Singapore Roster
Muhammad Hidayat Bin Mohamad (#1), Ong Hock Bee (#3), Tan Wei Lian (#7), Chiang Chia Ling (#8), Nazarudin Abd Razak (#9)

Indonesia Roster
Arif Setiawan (#1), Ende Raran (#4), Amirudin (#5), Ak Zaelani (#7)

More photos next page