Story by Jiexin Neo/Red Sports. Photos by Matthew Lau/Red Sports
Singapore’s Adelyn Yew (#5) led all scorers with a game-high three goals, while Thailand’s Varistha Saraikarn (#8) had two goals.
Thailand’s Kornhatai Wattanarungruang (#7) and Sineenart Sonthipakdee (#11) tried for shots early into the game, but goalkeeper Low Seet Teng (SIN #1) started off well and made composed saves to deny them the goals.
Both teams appeared to be evenly-matched as they put up an aggressive defence to limit each other’s shooting opportunities. As such, the first goal only came six minutes into the game, when Varistha Saraikarn (THA #8) fired one over goalkeeper Seet Teng (SIN #1) to make it 1–0. On Thailand’s following offensive play, Varistha tried for another shot, but Seet Teng jumped to block it away.
Thailand scored their second goal two minutes into the second quarter through Kornkarn Puengpongsakul (#6).
However, on the next transition, Singapore’s Lynnette Jane Tan (#8) pulled one back for the team by shooting one past goalkeeper Satakamol Wongpairoj (THA #1) and into the net (1–2).
Apisara Vipatotai (THA #4) aimed a shot at the right corner. A Singapore defender anticipated the shot and jumped up to try block it, but to no avail as it was too strong a shot to be stopped (3–1).
With two minutes to go to the halftime break, Thailand’s Alwani Sathitanon (#12) was excluded. Taking this as a good chance to reduce the deficit, Tan Su-Lynn (SIN #3) drove the ball up their offensive half, and chose to pass the ball out to Adelyn (#5). Adelyn successfully made the shot to trail 2–3 at the end of the first half.
Varistha (THA #8) attempted a shot from a distance, firing one past goalkeeper Seet Teng (SIN #1) to find the net (4–2). With 30 seconds remaining to the end of the third quarter, Adelyn (SIN #5) drove the ball near to the post and matched Varistha’s effort with a goal to trail 3–4.
In the final quarter, Sineenart Sonthipakdee (THA #11) made a mark on the scoresheet when she lopped one over goalkeeper Seet Teng (SIN #1). It was then 5–3 to Thailand’s lead, but Adelyn reduced the deficit to one goal again, finding the net after receiving a pass from a teammate (4–5).
It was then a nerve-wracking final four minutes, as both sides were trying for shots one after another. Singapore’s Lynnette (#8) attempted a couple of shots but was unlucky as she hit the post twice in a row.
Singapore were desperately looking for an equalizer, but with thirty seconds remaining, Thailand’s Alwani Sathitanon (#12) was given a penalty. She converted it effortlessly to up their lead to 6–4, denying Singapore hopes of a win in their opening game.
Alwani’s (THA #12) penalty goal proved to be the final attempt, as Thailand registered their second win with a 6–4 win over Singapore.
Singapore captain, Su-Lynn (#3), said, “The Thais were very strong opponents, and I must say that they’ve improved a lot. It was a tough game for us, it was our first game today and we didn’t start off very well. But we still have more games to play, so we will still have a chance to come back. The team will definitely go back and review the game again, find out what didn’t go so right for us, and what things we can improve on, and definitely we’ll come back even stronger.”
Scoring by Period
Singapore vs Thailand
Q1: 0–1
Q2: 2–2 (2–3)
Q3: 1–1 (3–4)
Q4: 1–2 (4–6)
Top Scorers
Singapore
Adelyn Yew (#5) – 3 goals
Thailand
Varistha Saraikarn (#8) – 2 goals
Singapore Roster
Low Seet Teng (#1), Koh Ting Yi Gina (#2), Tan Su-Lynn (#3), Mary Kan Enci (#4), Yew Adelyn Yanxiang (#5), Loh Huihui Valerie (#6), Neo Ser Han (#7), Tan Hui Ying Lynnette Jane (#8), Loke En Yuan (#9), Chen YiWei Denise (#10), Tan Hui Ning Sheryl (#11), Lim Wenxin (#12), Eunice Karina Fu Yu Min (#13)
Thailand Roster
Satakamol Wongpairoj (#1), Paveenuch Phandphoung (#2), Pranisa Nilklad (#3), Apisara Vipatotai (#4), Varisa Wangvongcharoen (#5), Kornkarn Puengpongsakul (#6), Kornhatai Wattanarungruang (#7), Varistha Saraikarn (#8), Yuwadee Seenoon (#9), Sarocha Rewrujirek (#10), Sineenart Sonthipakdee (#11), Alwani Sathitanon (#12), Papimol Munchawanont (#13)