Story by Dylan Chua/Red Sports. Photos by Chan Hua Zheng/Red Sports.

Muhd Ihsan (Victoria #63)  looks to attack as he pushes the ball upcourt. He had a game-high 2 goals in the win. (Photo  © Chan Hua Zheng/Red Sports)

Muhd Ihsan (Victoria #63) looks to attack as he pushes the ball upcourt. He had a game-high 2 goals in the win. (Photo 1 © Chan Hua Zheng/Red Sports)

Hougang Sports Hall, Monday, March 28, 2016 — Victoria School (VS) recovered from their first defeat of the season to down Northland Secondary 9-5 in a pulsating encounter in the second round of the National B Division Floorball Championship.

Victoria, last year’s runners-up, had lost their unbeaten status after going down 4-5 to Bukit Merah Secondary in their previous match. Bukit Merah had secured a semi-final berth by topping Group W after a 6-3 win over Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road).

With the victory, Victoria improved to 3-0-1 in the 2nd round and 7-0-1 on the season. Northland on the other hand have two wins and two losses in round two.

In an end-to-end contest which culminated in 14 goals, Muhd Ammar B Khairudin (VS #62), Muhd Ihsan B Noor Isham (VS #63) and Muhd Nabil B Salim (VS #70) scored two apiece for Victoria, while Jasper Kua (#10) scored two of his own for Northland in the losing effort.

Victoria raced into a comfortable three-goal lead after one period courtesy of goals from Muhd Ammar B Khairudin (VS #62), Muhd Nabil B Salim (VS #70) and Muhd Irfan B Noor Isham (VS #64).

The traditional powerhouse then extended their lead to five and took a 7-2 lead heading into the final period. Muhd Ihsan B Noor Isham (VS #63) scored both of his goals in the 2nd period.

Northland were down but not out.

Northland put up a resilient performance in the 3rd period despite being faced with an insurmountable task of securing a comeback. They outscored Victoria 3-2 in the final period but it was not enough to prevent Victoria from walking away with a 9-5 victory.

Victoria will next face East Spring Secondary at 4.45pm on Wednesday, March 30 at St Gabriel’s Secondary School, knowing that a victory will guarantee runners-up spot in Group W and a spot in the final four. Northland face defending champions Catholic High School at 4.45pm on the same day at Coral Secondary.

The semi-finals of the National B Division Floorball Championship will be held on Friday, April 1, at Yishun Sports Hall.

Score by Period
Northland vs Victoria

1st Period: 0-3
2nd Period: 2-4 (2-7)
3rd Period: 3-2 (5-9)

Top Scorers
Northland

Jasper Kua (#10) – 2 goals

Victoria
Muhd Ammar B Khairudin (#62) – 2 goals
Muhd Ihsan B Noor Isham (#63) – 2 goals
Muhd Nabil B Salim (#70) – 2 goals

Northland Roster
Abdul Malik Mohd Mussammil (#24), Abinnash Rajan (#11), Hariz Amsyar B Muhammad Zain (#14), Jharen Glen Victoriano Yap (#9), Jorel Aron Doseo De Los Santos (#20), Ke Xinliang (#7), Jasper Kua (#10), Lacsina Gerrome Vincent Pascua (#12), M Niveshraj (#16), Muhammad Danial B Mohamad T (#2), Muhammad Zaki B Zulkarnain (#5), Nicholas Johanes Soetmulder (#15), Qusyaie B Muhammad Nasirruddin (#23), Takashimaya Watanabe (#18), Melvin Yong (#1)

Victoria Roster

Adib Fahim B Norishaam (#47), Darius Phua (#67), Faez Nabil (#61), Keith Chua (#80), Lukesh S/O Sandramogan (#65), Mexximus Ow (#79), Muhd Afzal B mohd Tahir (#75), Muhd Ammar B Khairudin (#62), Muhd Asy’raf B Khaizal (#68), Muhd Ihsan B Noor Isham (#63), Muhd Irfan B Noor Isham (#64), Muhd Nabil B Salim (#70), Ng Jun Wei (#76), Ryan Tham (#72), Joel Sim (#71), Tan Ding Feng (#78)

More photos next page