PHNOM PENH – The blares from plastic horns reverberated around the Dinosaur Park Hall. With over 30 Thai supporters making their presence felt in the stands, Thailand were hoping for a sound advantage as they aimed to dethrone Singapore in the SEA Games women’s floorball final on Tuesday.
The Thais had the psychological edge too – they had beaten Singapore 3-1 in their final group game on Monday, with both sides having sealed their spots in the final before that.
The opening exchanges were tight and the tension palpable. Then, up stepped Singapore captain Michelle Lok. With a flick of her stick 10 minutes into the tie, she put the two-time defending champions ahead.
That opening goal worked like a panacea, as it silenced the Thai supporters and instantly relieved pressure on the Republic, who went on to win 4-2 to retain the women’s floorball gold.
It also took Singapore’s final gold-medal haul at these Games to 51, four more compared to the Hanoi Games a year ago.
Lok, who is one of the most experienced players in the team with 47 caps, also set up Ong Swee Ling for the second goal, and won the Player of The Match award.
The 28-year-old said: “I was confident. I was confident in my team. The goals were going to come. There was no pressure at all. I always tell the younger players not to be afraid and always leave the court with no regrets.
“We have each other’s back and we will get the gold back (home). We had to continue being champions and we delivered.”
Shannon Yeo and Yun Shawn Yee scored Singapore’s third and fourth goals.
This is the floorball women’s third Games gold in as many editions. Singapore were winners in 2015 and 2019, while the sport did not feature at the 2017 Games in Kuala Lumpur and the 2021 edition in Hanoi.
The Republic had started their campaign with a 16-0 hammering of hosts Cambodia last Thursday. They followed up with a 13-0 win over Malaysia and a 5-0 win over the Philippines, which was enough to seal their top-two spot in the table and a place in the final.
Lim Jin Quan, head coach for the national floorball teams, paid tribute to Lok, who was also part of the 2019 triumph. He said: “Over the years, she has been the captain and she had the experience of playing in front of home crowds and (opposition) supporters and at different venues. The experience accumulated plays a huge part in getting the younger players ready.”
Tuesday’s clash was a rematch of the 2015 and 2019 finals. Singapore had prevailed via a penalty shoot-out on home soil eight years ago before a thrilling 3-2 win in the Philippines.
The latest victory is also a boost for the team ahead of the Dec 2-10 Women’s World Floorball Championship in Singapore.
Lim wants his charges, who are ranked world No. 13, to continue their dominance at the South-east Asian level and yet aim higher. He said: “This is the first step towards a greater goal. We want to improve our world rankings. We hope we can produce a greater legacy for Singapore floorball.”
The Philippines earned the bronze after a 4-2 win over Malaysia in the third-place play-off.
In the men’s final, Thailand beat the Philippines 3-2 to retain their title. Singapore, who had lost on penalties to the Thais in the final four years ago, clinched the bronze after beating Malaysia 3-1 in the third-place play-off.
